Cabarita Beach keeps a low profile, but the nearby region pulses with NSW events that add energy and colour to any visit. Sculpture trails wind along the sand, and music drifts through the hills. Something always stirs just beyond the shoreline.
Byron Bay brings in writers and readers from across the country. Currumbin lines its beachfront with towering art. In Tyalgum, locals fill timber halls with violin music and serve warm scones in cozy cafés.
You’ll spot young surfers chasing winter swells, while artists set up market stalls just inland. These are community-built gatherings with heart, all within easy reach of Cabarita.
NSW Events Worth Travelling For This Season
NSW events bring this coastline to life with art, music, and culture. Cabarita Beach makes an ideal base, with standout festivals just a short drive away.
Byron Writers Festival (8–10 August, Byron Bay)
This respected literary gathering features author talks, hands-on workshops, and open-air conversations that celebrate Australian stories.
Swell Sculpture Festival (12–21 September, Currumbin)
Currumbin’s beach transforms into a coastal gallery, showcasing striking sculptures that invite visitors to pause, wander, and explore.
Mullum Roots Festival (12–13 July, Mullumbimby)
Set in Mullumbimby’s local halls, this music festival blends folk, roots, and world sounds in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
Tyalgum Music Festival (26–28 September, Tyalgum)
Classical music takes centre stage in this quaint hinterland village. Hosted in the local hall, performances feature chamber ensembles, jazz quartets, and soloists.
This event feels personal, with strong community ties and acoustic beauty. It’s an ideal option for those wondering where to go in NSW for something enriching but relaxed.
Murwillumbah Show (November, Murwillumbah)
The showgrounds come alive with agricultural displays, woodchopping competitions, show rides, and local food vendors. This long-running event is one of the standout New South Wales events in the Northern Rivers.
Catch the Action on the Coast This Winter
For visitors who thrive on movement, atmosphere, and the thrill of competition, this stretch of northern NSW delivers a lineup of spectator-friendly events that are equal parts scenic and high-energy.
Skullcandy Oz Grom Open (3–8 July, Lennox Head)
This nationally ranked junior surf comp draws the next wave of elite Australian talent. Hosted by Skullcandy Australia, it’s one of the region’s most anticipated surf events. Expect high performance, community spirit, and unbeatable coastal viewing.
Australian Longboard Titles (22–27 July, Tweed Coast)
As part of Surfing Australia’s national titles, this event brings the country’s best longboard riders to the Tweed’s famous breaks. For spectators, it offers a relaxed pace and classic surf culture. It’s a major highlight in the Longboard Australia scene and well worth catching if your trip overlaps.
Northern Rivers Rugby League Fixtures (Various weekends, July–August)
A staple of the local sporting calendar, these matches bring together small towns and loyal fans. Expect strong crowds, passionate play, and warm sideline chats. Fixtures are posted weekly, with venues rotating between towns, including Kingscliff, Murwillumbah, and Tweed Heads.
Live Heats Surfing NSW App
Keen to stay updated in real time? Live heats surfing NSW coverage allows you to track events, heat scores, and athlete standings—all from your phone. It’s the best way to know when and where to catch the action while staying flexible.
Family-Friendly Fun This Winter
Cooler weather sets the tone for easy, local outings around Cabarita Beach. These activities combine play with learning in a way that feels natural and relaxed.
Marine Discovery Centre – Hastings Point
Ten minutes from Cabarita, this indoor centre brings ocean life up close. Kids can explore reef exhibits, meet live sea creatures, and join guided marine sessions.
Kayaking or Stand-Up Paddle on Cudgen Creek (Kingscliff)
For families with teens or older kids, paddling Cudgen Creek offers a peaceful way to explore the region from the water.
Rental shops along the creek offer stand-up paddleboard gear and guided sessions. The creek is calm and scenic, with plenty of space for beginners to feel confident.
Cabarita Beach
Even in winter, the beach holds its appeal. Pack a picnic, bring the bikes, and spend a morning walking the headland or playing by the shore. There’s less rush, less heat, and plenty of space to stretch out.
Cultural Gems Worth Exploring Indoors
Some days call for slower plans, and the Tweed’s creative side steps in easily. Within 30 to 40 minutes of Cabarita, you’ll find galleries, markets, and local shops that highlight the region’s artistic soul.
Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre – Murwillumbah
Set high above the river, this award-winning gallery offers expansive views of the Tweed Valley and a curated calendar of national and regional exhibitions.
Inside, the Margaret Olley Art Centre recreates the late artist’s home studio in exquisite detail. If you’re searching for an art gallery in Murwillumbah, this is the place to start.
Kingscliff & Murwillumbah Boutique Shops
In Kingscliff, look for coastal fashion, artisan gifts, and homewares at places like Salt Living and Moss & Marsh. Murwillumbah’s shopfronts lean more eclectic, featuring books, fibercrafts, antiques, and thoughtful handmade finds.
Local Artisan Markets (weekends)
Markets pop up regularly across the region, particularly during school holidays. Browse fresh produce, ceramics, art, and baked goods while meeting the makers behind them. Many stalls are family-run, giving a clear sense of the local creative community.
Easy Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day
Father’s Day falls on 7 September and makes the perfect excuse for a coastal weekend. The Tweed offers fresh air, great food, and easy ways to relax and celebrate.
- Start the day with a paddle on Cudgen Creek. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard hire is available in Kingscliff. The calm water makes it ideal for beginners or anyone looking to take it slow.
- Head into Byron for brunch and the Byron Writers Festival. For readers, thinkers, or dads who love a good panel talk, this Byron Bay event offers something unique.
- Grab a pub lunch or a tasting paddle at a local brewery. Try Husk Distillers for a rum tasting with a view, or visit one of the beachfront taverns in Kingscliff.
- Catch the final days of the Swell Sculpture Festival. Wander the Currumbin beachfront, grab takeaway fish and chips, and explore the artworks as the sun sets. It’s one of the most creative NSW festivals of the season.
A Season Full of Reasons to Stay
Winter and early spring bring a relaxed pace and a steady run of NSW events across the Tweed Coast. Each weekend offers something different, from surf comps to sculpture walks.
Everything’s close. Wake up to the ocean, enjoy your coffee, and reach a festival by lunch. Explore a gallery or watch the waves, then be back in time for dinner. These moments define the season.
Your Beachside Base for Every Event
Staying at The Beach Cabarita places you close to the region’s best events while offering a quiet, comfortable place to recharge. With direct beach access, tropical gardens, heated pools, and spacious apartments, it’s an easy base for a flexible stay.
Start with a morning market visit, spend the afternoon by the pool, and then map out your next local stop. Byron, Currumbin, Kingscliff, and Murwillumbah are all nearby, but your apartment remains the calm you return to each night.
Reserve your Beach Cabarita escape today!
Image Credit: Byron Writers Festival