The locality name is Cabarita Beach after a housing estate developed in the 1960’s, but the original, and postal name for this pretty little town is Bogangar, an Aboriginal word meaning ‘place of many pippies’, which refers to the ancient ceremonial shell middens in the area.
With large areas of protected wetlands, Cabarita has only limited development, creating a quiet, relaxed holiday atmosphere where the main activities are surfing (with a long right hand point break), swimming, beach and estuary fishing and canoeing. The shopping centre is small, but well-equipped. Lake Cudgen, around behind the Cabarita Ski Gardens site is a particularly good area for children and families enjoying boating as the water is only about 1.2m deep at most, and there are water tractors, canoes and catamarans for hire. Norries Headland is a particularly scenic spot for taking in views of Diamond Beach, and the walk around the headland is very popular.