The Best Hotels to Book in Kingscliff, New South Wales

Become one with the natural surroundings at Mantra on Salt Beach in Kingscliff
Become one with the natural surroundings at Mantra on Salt Beach in Kingscliff | Courtesy of Mantra on Salt Beach / Expedia
Nannette Holliday

Kingscliff is the quintessential Australian dream holiday – sun, surf, sand – but without the crowds. On the NSW northern coast, it’s a fair 800km (500mi) from Sydney, an 80-minute drive from the Queensland capital, Brisbane, and just 15 minutes from the Gold Coast. Discover a string of blissful beaches, serious surf, kayaking, paddleboarding, aquatic reserve snorkelling, biking, whale spotting, chic boutiques, surf shopping, magical markets and a bounty of fresh, regional delicacies. With accommodation options just as plentiful, stay in one of the best hotels in Kingscliff – bookable with Culture Trip.

1. Mantra on Salt Beach, for beachfront access

Resort

Stylish circular driveway entrance with porte-cochere at Mantra on Salt Beach in Kingscliff, New South Wales
Courtesy of Mantra on Salt Beach / Expedia

Smack bang on the Salt Beach waterfront and centrally positioned within Salt Village, you have direct access to the exquisite Spa at Salt, sandy walks, surf swims and an array of eclectic shops, restaurants and cafes. Become one with the natural surroundings in your hotel room or one- or two-bedroom self-contained suite – each has a private balcony to enjoy your sunrise coffee or evening sundowner. Languish in the lagoon pool, ace it on the tennis court or crack a sweat in the gym. Kingscliff is also an easy 10 minutes north.

2. Peppers Salt Resort & Spa Kingscliff, for a wellness treat

Resort, Chain Hotel

Expansive lagoon-style pool area with individual seating areas with umbrellas at Peppers Salt Resort and Spa Kingscliff
Courtesy of Peppers Salt Resort and Spa Kingscliff / Expedia

This leisurely, oceanfront Salt Village resort is a holiday destination in itself. Let its breezy atmosphere waft your woes away as you laze around the tropical resort and lagoon pools and create a new you at the Spa at Salt – or simply amble along the beach, letting the sand melt between your toes. For the more energetic, hire a bike or play tennis. The chic, contemporary balcony rooms, spa suites and apartments ensure you rest easy – while Season Restaurant keeps you nourished with organic, fresh local produce. Sit back, relax and rejuvenate.

3. Tamarind 2 Kingscliff, for stunning sea vistas

Villa

White three-storey building for Tamarind 2 Kingscliff on a sunny day
Courtesy of Tamarind 2 Kingscliff / Expedia

Directly across from Kingscliff Beach, this tropically decorated two-bedroom apartment is your cosy home away from home. Look out over the surf, sand and sunshine – where you soak it up during the day, before toasting the sunset from your expansive rear balcony while cooking your barbecue dinner. Take a five-minute stroll to the beachfront Bowls Club and partake in their Sunday champagne buffet breakfast. A further five minutes away, discover the quirky delights of Kingscliff village, the historic pubs, live music gigs and many global eatery offerings.

5. The Hideaway, for a boutique chic getaway

Luxury, Glamping

Boutique glamping tents a the Hideaway Cabarita Beach near Kingscliff, New South Wales
Courtesy of the Hideaway Cabarita Beach / Expedia

Nestled on iconic Cabarita surf beach, this charming boutique glamping by the sea is just a 10-minute drive south of Kingscliff. It’s luxe at its best: enjoy balmy sea breezes, sink into the soft bedding inside your Bell tent with en-suite and enjoy a bar fridge that keeps the drinks cold. Relax with new friends at the shipping container communal lounge – and be sure to check out the quaint shops, the highly awarded Paper Daisy restaurant and other eateries in town. Don’t miss the 360-degree ocean, valley and hinterland views from Norries Headland.

6. Blue Horizons Kingscliff, for a weekend away with friends

Villa

Four-storey building with pool and garden with palms and other tropical foliage at Blue Horizons Kingscliff
Courtesy of Blue Horizons Kingscliff / Expedia

Gather the rellies together and celebrate in this spacious three-bedroom apartment decorated in a coastal theme. Leave the car parked, as you’re a mere hop, skip and jump from all the Kingscliff action. Grab fresh produce from the Saturday markets, seasonal fruits like exotic chocolate pudding fruit or ice-cream beans from Tropical Fruit World – or steak and fresh seafood classic pub fare with live music at the Kingscliff Beach Hotel. Escape to Santorini around the corner at Taverna – it’s one of Australia’s best regional Greek restaurants, and its bounty won’t disappoint.

7. Kingscliff Beach Abode, for romance in abundance

Villa

Comfy living room with two off-white couches, flatscreen TV and views of landscape at Kingscliff Beach Abode
Courtesy of Kingscliff Beach Abode / Booking.com

The ideal romantic one-bedroom getaway with quality linen and toiletries included, this bright, self-contained apartment looks directly over Kingscliff Beach. Listen to the waves crashing and watch the sunrise, people walking along the beach and surfers riding the waves all from the privacy of your balcony. If you wish to hibernate, the balcony barbecue or fully equipped kitchen has mealtime sorted. Shops, cafes and restaurants are a mere 10-minute stroll away, while you can try out a variety of water sports and hire paddleboards, kayaks, bikes, surfboards and snorkelling and fishing gear.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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