Forster

Famed for stunning beaches and lakes, access to many national parks and plentiful aquatic experiences, Forster is the idyllic spot for a coastal getaway.   

Beautiful beaches  

The coastline between Forster and Booti Booti National Park features 40km of sand, perfect for escaping the crowds and finding quietude. In the heart of Forster is Main Beach, stretching from the breakwall to the ocean baths. The patrolled beach is protected from large swells and is great for families, as well as being close to cafes and shops. 

It’s also the starting point for the 4km Bicentennial Walk, which leads to the rocky inlet of Pebbly Beach before continuing to the dunes of One Mile Beach. The remote Seven Mile Beach stretches from Cape Hawke to Tiona, and backs onto Booti Booti National Park. 

Forster Main Beach, Forster - Credit: East Coast Photography/Destination Barrington Coast

Aquatic experiences  

During the migration season between May and November, humpback and Southern right whales travel up and down the coastline. Enjoy a close up view on a whale watching cruise with Gadhu Dreamland or spot the whales from one of the many vantage points along the coast. Bennett’s Head offers fantastic 360-degree views of Forster and the surrounding beaches and is a great spot to see whales along with Cape Hawke Lookout.  

Cape Hawke lookout walk in Booti Booti National Park, Forster - Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW

Take a sunset boat trip with Free Spirit Cruises and you might spot dolphins, as well as enjoying an impressive seafood dinner of oysters, prawns and fish pie on board.   

Forster has some excellent dive sites, including several spots where you are likely to see grey nurse sharks. Dive Forster and Forster Dive Centre both operate trips and also offer snorkelling tours and whale watching tours during the migration season.

Whale watching, Forster

Fishing haven 

Whether casting a line from the breakwall, heading out into the deep sea, or meandering around the lake in a tinny, Forster is a mecca for fisherfolk. Self-drive by hiring a boat from Blue Peter Boatshed or Waterline Boathouse (no boating license required); or join a charter tour such as Reel Ocean Adventures for deep sea, reef and game fishing excursions with expert advice. 

Wallis Lake, Forster - Credit: Dog Whistle

Food & drink 

The Coastal Brewing Company is a family-owned microbrewery inspired by the natural beauty of the Barrington Coast. Sample the beers or take a tour of the brewery. Meanwhile, seafood lovers can relax over a lazy lunch of freshly shucked oysters on the sunny deck at Thirty Three Degrees, just one of several oyster farmers growing Sydney Rock Oysters in Wallis Lake. 

Other lake side dining spots include Spice Monkey, a Japanese influenced Asian restaurant, and Mexican restaurant Si Senorita Forster. 

Spice Monkey, Forster

Where to stay 

You’ll find plenty of accommodation options in Forster to suit various budgets. Lakeside Forster Holiday Park and Reflections Forster Beach are great for families, with self-contained cabins on the shores of Lake Wallis, as well as caravan and camping pitches. There are a number of hotels and motels, including Hotel Forster, Sevan Apartments, Forster Motor Inn and Forster Beach Motel. Or go for something completely different and rent a houseboat and sleep on the water. 

Reflections Forster Beach - Holiday Park, Forster - Credit: Reflections Holiday Parks

Getting there  

Forster is a three hour 45 minute drive north from Sydney and a one hour 45 minute drive from Newcastle Airport, which services all the major Australian cities. Coaches and trains also run from Sydney, via Newcastle. You can make this a memorable stop on a North Coast road trip.