ROSE petals floated west on Cudgen Creek's turquoise waters as friends and family said goodbye to Sapper Rowan Robinson on Saturday morning.

Orange and white smoke from flares drifted on a mild breeze, following the petals' peaceful journey to the ocean.

It was a tranquil scene which stood in stark contrast to the violence which ended Sapper Robinson's promising life in Afghanistan in June.

His parents Marie and Peter ventured toward the estuary where the fallen soldier's ashes were finally laid to rest.

During the service Kingscliff RSL Sub Branch vice-president said “farewell dear friend, we mourn your death but celebrate your life”.

This was confirmed on the smiling but sorrowful faces of the almost 100 gathered beneath the Volunteer Marine Rescue tower and in the surf boats, rubber duckies, private launches and VMR vessel carrying Marie and Peter Robinson.

During the service about 50 poppies symbolising life sacrificed in the service of one's country lay contributed by those in attendance on a table overlooking the creek.

Murwillumbah's Melissa Gooley played a haunting Last Post during the minute's silence.

Sapper Robinson's life was cut short at age 23 by Afghan insurgents' small-arms fire in southern Afghanistan this year on June 6.

His express wishes were his ashes be scattered where he loved to surf.

Mr Vickery said Sapper Robinson actually apologised to the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club upon being called to defend his country, as he could no longer patrol.

The shortness of Incident Response Unit Two Troop soldier Geoff's (surname withheld) farewell to his mate was surpassed only by its quality, and the gravity of its thoughtful pauses.

“Rowan, I know you're up there listening,” Geoff said.

“We were struggling for a while, missing your laugh echoing through the halls.

“Anyway mate, this is not goodbye, all it is, is, I'll talk to you later.”

A wreath was placed at the Kingscliff cenotaph in Sapper Robinson's honour and the Coast Guard Tower's flags were flown at half mast.

He was the 27th Australian soldier to die in the ongoing war which still forms the flashpoint in the continuing struggle against global terrorism.

Those who wish can donate in his honour to the Sapper Rowan Robinson Memorial Fund as part of the Commando Welfare Trust.