Forster

Beautiful beaches  

The coastline between Forster and Booti Booti National Park to the south has 40 kilometres 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. On the other side of Wallis Lake is the Tuncurry Rock Pool and the rugged Nine Mile Beach.

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

The four-kilometre Bicentennial Walk leads to the rocky inlet of Pebbly Beach – great for snorkelling – before continuing to the dunes of One Mile Beach and the pretty rock pools of Burgess Beach. The remote Seven Mile Beach stretches from Cape Hawke to Tiona, and backs onto Booti Booti National Park. McBrides Beach is a hidden gem, accessed only by a step path through the rainforest.

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 Epic Surf Ocean Adventures. 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 or hike up to the raised viewing platform at Cape Hawke Lookout.  

Whale watching, Forster

Take a sunset boat trip on Wallis Lake 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. You can also hire a boat from one of the many sheds along the marine to explore the lake on your own. Forster has some excellent dive sites, including several spots where you are likely to see grey nurse sharks. Join Dive Forster and Forster Dive Centre to go beneath the surface.

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. Wharf St. Distillery flavours small batch gin with local botanicals and even oyster shells – try them in the tasting room on the main street. 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 lakeside 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, Reflections Forster Beach and NRMA Forster Tuncurry Holiday Park are great for families, with self-contained cabins on the shores of Wallis Lake, 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 to sleep on the water. 

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

Getting there  

Forster is just over a 3.5 hour' drive north from Sydney and one hour and 45 minutes from Newcastle Airport, which services most major Australian cities. Coaches and trains also run from Sydney, via Newcastle, to nearby Taree. You can make this a memorable stop on a North Coast road trip.