Tamarind Sands Resort - Bogangar, NSW
We spent Christmas 2024 at Tamarind Sands Resort, Bogangar - AKA Cabarita Beach. This is probably one of my favourite places to relax. I have been coming here for a number of years and the whole area feels familiar and homely. The area has certainly grown since the 00’s but it keeps its beachside vibe and is only a short drive to major areas like the Gold Coast or Byron Bay if you feel like throwing yourself into the hustle and bustle (which we did not).
One of my favourite things about Tamarind Sands resort is the pool and BBQ area and, surprisingly, it never seems to get too busy. I guess many guests are out exploring the area. There’s also a hot spa to relax in - perfect after a long bike-ride, plenty of electric BBQs and outdoor tables and chairs. There’s a tennis court and mini-golf course right at the resort. If you have kids in tow there is a games room and guest lounge along with a jumping castle. Like the majority of Holiday Concepts resorts they have the Big Breakfast and pancake breakfast - always very popular! I noticed during the Christmas break there were quite a few Christmassy activities aimed at the kids.
What’s there to do at Tamarind Sands
For us, the week was about relaxing and bike-riding and having a quiet Christmas before leaping into 2025. The good thing about this resort and it’s location is you can be as busy or relaxed as you like. You can hang out at the resort and enjoy their facilities or get out and about seeing the Tweed Valley district.
There are a number of great golf courses in the area if that’s your thing - my favourite is the Chinderah Golf Course although it gets really busy at times. Pottsville and Murullimbah also have great courses.
We re-discovered Husk Distillery where we enjoyed a magnificent locally distilled gin and rum and light lunch overlooking the beautiful lawns. Eating and drinking are two of my favourite things when I am on holidays and Husk didn’t disappoint. There’s nothing more decadent than sipping gin and tonic of an afternoon and eating canapes.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail
We rode the Northern Rivers Rail Trail for the 2nd time and I absolutely loved it. It’s so picturesque, quite flat and everything was so amazingly green. In many spots you ride through tree canopies - keeping everything nice and cool. I love that the towns enroute have really embraced the cyclists with toilets, tables and cafes easily accessible. They even have bike maintenance stations and pumps. The ride to and from Murullimbah was 49k which I think was a pretty fair effort! As we were on the home strait I saw a little cafe called ‘Numb Bum’ at Stokers Siding which was definitely how I was feeling at that point. (If you forget your bike you can hire them from the Murwullimbah train station)
Tumbulgum
This is a really cute little village right on the Tweed and Rous rivers (and where we went to the Husk distillery). I’m not 100% sure how it’s pronounced but I like “Tumble Gum” - sounds very poetic. There are a couple of cafes, a bakery and the hotel. The pub (Tumbulgum Tavern) was really busy the day we went but we have enjoyed meals there before sitting out on the deck and overlooking the river - such a perfect setting. This time, we just enjoyed an ice-cold beer as it was a sweltering hot day (not unusual for December!) before heading back to the resort for a swim.
Hastings Point / Pottsville
Only about 5 minutes drive south of Cabarita Beach you will find Hastings Point and Pottsville. Both spots are well worth a visit. Hastings Point has a great caravan park and swimming/fishing spots while Pottsville also has surfing beaches, cafes, hotel, fabulous bakery as well as an IGA, butcher and other essential services. Both spots are a great bike-ride (return approx 25km). You will often find a market on at Pottsville selling quirky craft and local produce. Below are just a couple of pictures taken from the headland at Hastings Point.
Kingscliffe
Another great beach and shopping precinct just north of Tamarind Sands - well worth a visit. It has a fabulous hotel as well as a surf club, a couple of caravan parks and heaps of spots to enjoy food and coffee. There is a bike path (or walking if you prefer) from Cabarita Beach right through to Kingscliffe and it’s about 22km return. The path has plenty of places to stop with walkways directly to the beach as well as some quirky art installations along the way. My favourite coffee shop - Zinc - is right on the Kingscliffe foreshore. For all the market-tragics, they often have a local market at Salt Village with local produce, crafts, clothes plus heaps more.
Tamarind Sands Resort (Holiday Concepts)
If you are arriving at the resort and need to get groceries etc, the area has plenty of shops including a Woolworths, butcher shop, bottle shop and pharmacy right in the main street (as well as a nail salon ). Further north at Casuarina they have Coles plus a bakery, butcher, cafes and a bottle shop. Both centres are perfect to pick up everything you will need.
If you are looking to eat out at Cabarita Beach all within walking distance of the resort (keep in mind there is a bit of a hill to walk up) there are plenty of options including the Hotel, the surf club, the bowls club and one of our favourites, Hot Wok. Most food tastes are catered for including Sushi, Pizza, Burgers and Italian. You definitely won’t go hungry!
This blog is just a snap-shot of things to see and do in this area. Be sure to check out other places to see in the Tweed Valley.
