From the sublime rainforests of Barrington Tops to divine stretches of beach and peaceful winding waterways, the Barrington Coast offers spectacular settings for adventure, relaxation and indulgence.
- 7 min read
Mountain bike through the rainforest
There’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of mountain biking down a rainforest-clad hillside, the tangle of greenery glistening as you hurtle through the cool air. You’ll experience that, and more, at Barrington Bike Park near Gloucester, where you can tackle purpose-built trails amid some stunning wild country. There are black, blue and green trails for different skill levels, offering a mixture of flow, climb and tech experiences. And here, your mountain biking comes with views – all the way across to the magnificent Barrington Tops National Park. Kiwarrak Mountain Bike Park also offers extensive mountain bike trails.
Barrington Bike Park, Barrington Coast
Surf the Barrington Coast
Some of NSW’s most stunning beaches can be found on the Barrington Coast. The thrill of jumping on a board and surfing in surroundings like these is hard to beat, so sign up for a lesson with Great Lakes Surf School and Saltwater Surf School to discover your inner Mick Fanning or Layne Beachley. Private and group lessons are available for beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers at locations including Seal Rocks, Pacific Palms and Hallidays Point (depending on conditions). Experienced surfers will appreciate the waves at One Mile Beach, Boomerang Beach, Blueys Beach and Elizabeth Beach.
Elizabeth Beach, Booti Booti National Park
Watch whales on a cruise
Yearning to experience the thrill of seeing humpback whales joyously throwing their 40 tonnes of body weight around, close enough that you might feel the splash? Then getting a good vantage point is paramount. Join Epic Surf Ocean Adventures or Gadhu Dreamland on a whale-watching tour from Forster (June to October) to see these gentle giants up close. Head to Cape Hawke Lookout, Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse at Seal Rocks, or Crowdy Head Lighthouse to spot whales from dry land.
Whale watching, Forster
Take a dip at beautiful beaches
With 50 named beaches along almost 200 kilometres of coastline, you’re never far from a swim on the Barrington Coast. Families love the calm waters of Forster Main Beach and the large ocean pool at its southern end, while Tuncurry Rock Pool is known for its crystal-clear water. Burgess Beach is on a small and quiet cove. Its many rocky outcrops produce natural tidal pools and kids can explore the warm, shallow waters. More rock pools await at The Tanks on Pebbly Beach, which is ideal for swimming and snorkelling. One Mile Beach is famous for its waves, resident dolphins and the giant sand dune at the northern end.
One Mile Sand Dune, Forster
Further south, there are a trio of gorgeous beaches in Pacific Palms. Find a little slice of paradise at Blueys and Boomerang beaches, frequently named as some of the best in the country. Inside the Booti Booti National Park, Elizabeth Beach’s north facing aspect makes for calm waters. It’s also the only beach in Pacific Palms that’s patrolled in summer. The seaside village of Seal Rocks is known for its wild and remote beaches, where picture-perfect waves roll onto golden sand.
Kayak rivers, lakes and national parks
Tea Gardens, at the mouth of the Myall River, is the perfect starting point for exploring some of the Barrington Coast’s serene local waterways, and there’s no better way to soak it all up than on a kayak. Join a leisurely two-hour Myall River Discovery Tour with Lazy Paddles and do your best to spot dolphins frolicking in the water and sea eagles soaring overhead. Head out on a half-day Myall Lakes Escape Tour to immerse yourself in the lakes, mountains and forests of Myall Lakes National Park. Other great spots to paddle include Manning River and Crowdy Head Beach.
Myall Lakes, Hawks Nest
Hike through untouched wilderness
Don’t forget to pack your walking boots or a sturdy pair of shoes when you head to the Barrington Coast: its mountains, rainforests and wild coastline are made for trekking. The Gloucester Tops Circuit combines three walks in World Heritage-listed Barrington Tops National Park, and takes in waterfalls, snow gum woods, Antarctic beech forest, Gondwana rainforest and unforgettable views. It’s a Grade 4, eight-kilometre loop that will immerse you in spectacular natural beauty for up to five hours.
In the Tapin Tops National Park, follow the Mountain Brush Circuit through lush subtropical rainforest or rock hop along the creek to a wild swimming hole at Potoroo Falls. The spectacular Ellenborough Falls is the tallest single drop waterfall in NSW, tumbling 200 metres over a dramatic cliff face. Walk down more than 600 steps to the base of the falls where you can take in its vastness from below.
Thunderbolts Lookout, Barrington Tops National Park
Dive with sharks
Encountering nature at her most raw is guaranteed to make your spirits soar – and your adrenaline pump. Forster is home to one of the biggest grey nurse shark populations in the world – and you don’t need any scuba experience to jump in the water with them – although nerves of steel help. On a Discover Scuba Diving experience with Forster Dive Centre, you can walk into the store, learn the basics during a 20-minute briefing, then head out to take an introductory dive with up to 40 of these incredible creatures. The centre also runs PADI courses, boat and shore dives for licensed divers, and dives for people with disabilities.
Forster Dive Centre, Forster - Credit: Talia Greis
Get out on the water
With ocean, lakes, rivers and estuaries, the Barrington Coast is an aquatic playground. Forster Houseboat Hire has a fleet of boats sleeping six to 10 people on Wallis Lake. Swim or fish off the back, relax on the sunny deck, then cook up the day’s catch on the barbecue. They also have runabouts and barbecue boats for rent. Explore the tranquil Myall Lakes on a boat from Myall Lakes Getaway Houseboats. You could spend days winding through this enormous coastal lake system, which is also a popular spot for waterskiing, jet skiing, kayaking and fishing.
Forster Houseboat Hire, Forster
There are plenty of places to hire small boats around the lakes and rivers. Generally you won’t need a boating license or any experience, but remember to always wear your lifejacket. Visit Great Lakes Boat Hire, Aussie Boatshed, Paradise Marina, Waterline Boathouse and Blue Peter Boatshed in Forster, or Tea Gardens Boatshed further south on the Myall River. Try your hand at foilboarding on the calm waters of Smiths Lake with OzFoiling – you’ll be skimming gracefully above the surface of the water in no time.
OzFoiling, Smiths Lake
If you prefer to let someone else to the driving, FreeSpirit Cruises runs lunch, sunset and special occasion cruises on Wallis Lake on their comfortable vessel. Take in the beautiful views of the Myall River with The Original Tea Gardens Ferry. Operating three historic timber vessels, they travel regularly between Tea Gardens and Nelson Bay, and offer sunset seafood cruises, afternoon tea cruises and more.
FreeSpirit Cruises Forster, Forster- Credit: Midcoast Ariel Photography
Feast on the best local produce
You’ll never go hungry on the Barrington Coast. The area is famous for its oysters and seafood – sample some of the best at Thirty Three Degrees, which juts out over the clear waters of Wallis Lake in Tuncurry. Grab fish and chips, oysters or prawns to eat by the water from Beach Street Seafoods, Tea Gardens Fish Market or Wallis Lake Fisherman’s Co-Op. Relax in lush farmland at Great Lakes Paddock near Wootton, where you can sip local wines, eat their pasture-raised beef and enjoy live music.
Thirty Three Degrees, Tuncurry
Thirsty? Wharf St Distillery in Forster produces award-winning gin infused with native botanicals and even oyster shells. Grab a seat by the window to try one of their signature cocktails. The Farmer’s Wife Distillery is at the gateway to the Barrington Tops National Park and serves up small batch, handcrafted gin that’s themed around the seasons. Pair it with a grazing board on the sunny outdoor tables for the perfect afternoon.
Wharf St Distillery, Forster
Play a round of beachside golf
Why settle for one round of golf when you can play two? At Forster Tuncurry Golf Club, you’ll find two courses, two clubhouses and challenges for golfers of all abilities. You could start by playing the friendly par-66 Forster course, with its ocean breezes, then, the next day, tackle the more challenging, undulating, par-72 Tuncurry championship course. You’ll hear the sound of the ocean on both fairways, and you’ll be rewarded with sweeping course and ocean views as you dissect your round shot by shot with a feed and a cold beverage at on-site Buko’s Bistro.
Forster Tuncurry Golf Club, Forster - Credit: Forster Tuncurry Golf Club
Spend the night immersed in nature
Forget a hotel – on the Barrington Coast you can set up your campsite by the beach, bed down in a luxe glamping tent or retreat to a tiny house in the wilderness. If you like to wake up to the sound of ocean waves, pitch your tent at The Ruins Campground on Seven Mile Beach south of Forster, Treachery Camp at Seal Rocks or Crowdy Gap inside Crowdy Bay National Park. Prefer the tranquillity of the river? Myall River Camp has off grid campsites, glamping tents and tiny houses dotted across a serene bushland retreat in Hawks Nest.
Myall River Camp, Hawkes Nest
Find chic glamping and safari-style tents at holiday parks like Reflections Seal Rocks, Tiona Holiday Park, Crowdy Bay Eco Resort and BIG4 River Myall Holiday Resort at Bulahdelah. Amaroo Escape is a secluded glamping retreat on 180 hectares of bushland near Gloucester. Get away from it all at a tiny house like Barrington Eco Hut, The Ridge Eco-Cabins, River’s Edge Cabin and the unique French-inspired Bush Boudoir. Into The Wild Escapes has two tiny houses in the region – Tiny Zoe in the Manning Valley and Tiny Mowgli in Barrington Tops.
The Ridge Eco-Cabins, Gloucester - Credit: The Ridge Eco Cabins
