Discover the best beaches in the Forster region

Best beaches for swimming 

There are lots of good swimming beaches in Forster, like the sheltered bay of Burgess Beach, which has small rock formations that create calm waters for a lovely dip. You can also swim in beautiful rock pools here.  

Pebbly Beach is known as a good snorkelling spot and is a short walk away from the Tanks, a popular swimming hole. The large break walls here protect the shore from the waves.  

Forster Main Beach is another lovely swimming beach, sheltered by Bennetts Head. There are ocean baths at the southern end, and across the breakwater, you’ll find Tuncurry Rock Pool – a favourite with families.  

Forster Ocean Baths, Forster

Best beaches for surfing 

Forster’s coastline also encompasses some of the most beautiful, quiet and varied surf locations in northern NSW. When the swell is large, head to the rock reef break known as Haydon's Rock, located at the southern end of Forster’s Main Beach. 

At Burgess Beach, you'll enjoy great body surfing when the conditions are right. Nine Mile Beach at Tuncurry has spots with great waves most of the time, and Elizabeth Beach, Boomerang Beach and Blueys at Pacific Palms are also well-known surf beaches. 

Elizabeth Beach, Booti Booti National Park

Best coastal walks 

The Bicentennial Walk (4km each way) offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the Forster coastline and its beautiful beaches, including Pebbly Beach, the Tanks swimming hole, One Mile Beach and Burgess Beach, as well as Bennetts Head Lookout.   

The Headland Walking Track near Old Bar has stunning views over Saltwater Beach and the Pacific Ocean, as well as traversing through beautiful forest trails.  

The 600m McBrides Beach walk descends through littoral rainforest and small creek beds before you arrive at the secluded McBrides Beach. This beach is unpatrolled and doesn’t have any facilities so make sure you take everything you need with you.  

Pebbly Beach and Bicentennial Walk, Forster

Beaches you can drive on 

If you have a 4WD you’ll be pleased to learn that lots of Forster’s beaches are accessible by car. The 2km Lighthouse Beach in Seal Rocks is a favourite and leads to Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse and beautiful coastal views.  

Tuncurry or Nine Mile Beach is a popular beach for driving. The wide, sandy 10km beach is dog friendly and has two access points, so you can drive the full stretch of the beach and enter and exit from either side. If you’re new to beach driving, the Black Head entry is the easiest option.  

Nine Mile Beach, Tuncurry

Beachside accommodation 

The heritage-listed Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse cottages are a special place to stay in the Myall Lakes National Park.  You can choose from the Head Keepers' cottage or South and North Assistant Keepers' cottages, but make sure you book in advance as they are popular.  

There are also beautiful beachside campgrounds like The Ruins campground in Booti Booti National Park, Diamond Head campground in Crowdy Bay National Park and Treachery Camp at Seal Rocks which has cabins and a beach lodge along with camping.   

Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse and Sugarloaf Point, Seal Rocks - Credit: Richard A Stanley