Cariba Heine

Cariba Heine (born 1 October 1988 ) is a South African-born Australian actress and dancer. She garnered recognition for her leading role as Rikki Chadwick in the fantasy drama series H2O: Just Add Water (2006–2010) and next starred in the television series Blue Water High and Dance Academy (2010–2013). She portrayed Caroline Byrne in the true crime film A Model Daughter: The Killing of Caroline Byrne (2009) and had her feature film debut in the disaster horror film Bait 3D (2012).

Heine appeared in the music video Rough Sweat (2016) and in the television series Home and Away (2018) and The Secrets She Keeps (2020).

Early life Heine was born in Johannesburg to South African parents Michelle, a former showgirl, and Kevin Heine. She moved to Australia at the age of three with her parents and older brother Kyle (born 1985).

Career Dancing Her early days included training in jazz dance, tap dance, classical ballet, acrobatics and rhythmic gymnastics, and studying acting and singing at National Capital Acting School. where she later attended Telopea Park School and St Clare's College. She was the youngest dancer to perform at the Stargazers Convention in Sydney, Australia. She was homeschooled to focus on her dance career, and performed in many stage productions, including a tour in the United States, where she featured in the music video for Will Young's song "Leave Right Now". Heine next portrayed Caroline Byrne in the television film A Model Daughter: The Killing of Caroline Byrne which was broadcast on Network Ten in Australia on 4 November 2009.

In 2011, she joined the cast of the indie film Lord of the Crows, though the film ultimately failed to get crowdfunded. In 2012, she portrayed Heather in Bait 3D, and Delvene Delaney in Channel 9's biographical TV miniseries Howzat! Kerry Packer's War. In 2016, Heine reprised her role as Rikki Chadwick in the final two episodes of the third series of Mako: Island of Secrets, a spin-off of H2O: Just Add Water. The same year Heine had a starring role in the short film How'd I Get in This Field which premiered at the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival.

Heine joined the cast of Home and Away in 2018 as Ebony Harding. In 2020, she appeared in the thriller-drama series The Secrets She Keeps with Laura Carmichael and Jessica De Gouw.

Personal life Heine married her long-time boyfriend Matt Pong on 24 June 2024. On 20 December 2024, Heine announced she was expecting her first child. She gave birth to a son in 2025.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2003 Ballistic Sessions Amanda Short film 2009 A Model Daughter: The Killing of Caroline Byrne Caroline Byrne TV film At the Tattooist Alex Short film 2011 Blood Brothers Ellie Carter TV film 2012 Quietus Alex Short film Bait 3D Heather Feature film 2016 How'd I Get In This Field Ashley Short film Rough Sweat June

Television