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                                                                    EXHIBIT 5.01


                 [ROBINSON, BRADSHAW & HINSON, P.A. LETTERHEAD]



                       101 North Tryon Street, Suite 1900
                        Charlotte, North Carolina 28246

                            Telephone (704) 377-2536
                               Fax (704) 378-4000


                                 October 9, 1998


Caraustar Industries, Inc.
3100 Washington Street
Austell, Georgia 30001

         Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We refer to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration
Statement") of Caraustar Industries, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the
"Company"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof
for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), up to $300,000,000 of debt securities ("Debt Securities") for issuance
by the Company from time to time in one or more series.

         For purposes of rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have
examined and relied on the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
Company, the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, the form of
Indenture (the "Indenture") between the Company and The Bank of New York, as
trustee (the "Trustee"), which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and records of proceedings of the Board of Directors of the Company
and other Company records, together with applicable certificates of public
officials and other documents, that we have deemed necessary to reach the
opinions expressed herein. In making the foregoing examinations, we have assumed
the genuineness of all signatures on original documents, the authenticity,
accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the
conformity to original documents of all copies submitted to us. We are familiar
with the proceedings taken and proposed to be taken by the Company in
connection with the authorization and issuance of the Debt Securities, and for
purposes of this opinion have assumed that such proceedings will be timely
completed.

         Based solely upon the foregoing, subject to the comments and exceptions
hereinafter stated, it is our opinion that: Upon the taking of appropriate
corporate action by the Company; the due execution and delivery by the parties
thereto of the Indenture and each amendment of or supplement to the Indenture,
assuming that the Indenture is consistent with the form thereof filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement; the qualification of the Indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939; the due execution of the Debt Securities on
behalf of the Company; the due authentication of the Debt Securities by the
relevant Trustee under the Indenture; and the sale and delivery at and receipt
of the price, and in accordance with, the terms set forth in the Registration
Statement and the supplement or supplements to the Prospectus included therein,
the Debt Securities will be duly and validly authorized, legally issued and will
be valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the
Indenture, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally and subject to general principal of equity
(regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law).

         The opinions expressed herein are contingent upon the Registration
Statement, as may be amended, becoming effective under the Act and the Company's
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Second Amended and Restated
Bylaws not being further amended prior to the issuance of the Debt Securities.

         For purposes of rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have
assumed that the laws of the State of New York, which has been chosen as the
governing law under the Indenture, are the same as the laws of the State of
North Carolina, and we express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction
other than the laws of the State of North Carolina and the federal laws of the
United States of America, in each case as in effect on the date hereof.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to said
Registration Statement and to being named therein and in the prospectus that
constitutes a part thereof as attorneys who will pass upon certain legal matters
in connection with the validity of the Shares. In giving such consent, we do not
hereby admit we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Act.

         This opinion is being delivered to you and the opinion expressed herein
is solely for your benefit in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby, and this opinion may not be relied upon by any other person or for any
other purpose and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise disclosed.
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                                    Very truly yours,

                                    ROBINSON, BRADSHAW & HINSON, P.A.


                                    /s/ Patrick S. Bryant
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Patrick S. Bryant
