Saturday morning at Casuarina beach…the soft white sand between my toes, bringing a gentle ahhhh feeling, a sense of peace, the sun warming my face, the sky a vibrant blue, and I hear the power of the ocean, almost a roar. The beach grass in the dunes is dancing with the wind and the beach stretches as far as I can see. What a beautiful start to the day!
All over Australia there are gorgeous beaches….and here on the Tweed Coast, about 5km south of the Queensland/New South Wales border, it’s no exception. There are kilometres of beautiful white sandy beaches stretching from the quiet village of Fingal Head to Kingscliff, Casuarina to Cabarita, to Pottsville, each seemingly flowing from one into another. The beach on the southern end of Fingal Head has me feeling a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of your average seaside town. Getting there is a joy in itself…a snakelike path through rainforest has me gasping as it opens out onto a beautiful vista of sparkling ocean and pristine sand.
Fingal
Fingal, thought to be named by early explorers for its likeness to the Scottish outcrop, the UNESCO Giant’s Causeway, was formed by lava from an ancient volcano, Mt Warning, or Woolumbin as it’s known by the local aboriginal people, creating massive rock pillars with clear views out over the horizon to Cook Island.
Casuarina
Casuarina, a newer community, named after the wispy she-oaks that fringe the beachfront, feels laid back, welcoming and is said to combine ‘the best of idyllic coastal living with every contemporary convenience’. So, if you’re looking for somewhere to relax…
Cabarita
Cabarita or ‘Caba’, as it’s known locally, was named as the No 1 beach in Australia by Tourism Australia and offers a mixture of luxury day spas, picnic spots, play parks and beach bars, its famous surfing spots, and short walks to stunning viewpoints, such as Norries Head. Its busier – to be truthful, too busy for me.
Places to eat
There are so many great places to eat. Enjoy breakfast and great coffee at local community focused café Tucker in Casuarina, or at Chouxbox on the Marine Parade in Kingscliff. The Stunned Mullet at Cabarita, casual, pet and family friendly, offers fish and chips in so many varieties, fish and chips done differently including fish burrito and taco’s… with healthy options…and you can dine in or takeaway. If however you’re looking for fine dining, try Fins restaurant at Kingscliff which is dedicated to using the best of locally line caught fish. A great way to end a beautiful day.