Summary
A popular destination during the summer, Forster in New South Wales’ Mid North Coast features the pristine Wallis Lake as it meets the Pacific Ocean.
The abundance of activities available in and around Forster is impressive.
Within a 20-minute radius of the town, you will find at least ten beautiful sandy beaches, some subjected to the robust Pacific surf while others are more tranquil and family-oriented.
Scenic cliffs and rocky headlands create a backdrop, joined by walking paths and enhanced with lookouts, providing opportunities to observe the humpback whales during their migration in winter.
Inland from the coastline are the Great Lakes, ideal for fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking through coastal rainforests, while the town itself offers a variety of amenities for relaxation and rejuvenation.
1. Whale Watching
From May to November, humpback whales undertake a lengthy migration from their Antarctic feeding grounds to warmer tropical waters for breeding and calving.
This species, weighing up to 30 tonnes, is notably agile, frequently displaying acrobatic breaching behavior.
Approximately 18,000 whales migrate past Forster annually, and during winter, you can observe humpbacks from the lookouts equipped with binoculars.
For a more intimate experience, Amaroo Cruises offers whale watching excursions aboard a state-of-the-art, $2.1 million vessel.
Between early June and November, the company guarantees whale sightings.
A resident pod of up to 300 common bottlenose dolphins can also be observed throughout the year, always eager to entertain.
2. Forster Main Beach
Always impeccably maintained, Forster Main Beach exemplifies a quintessential resort beach, featuring abundant facilities, an inviting stretch of soft sand, and picturesque views.
The shoreline arcs from the breakwater at the entrance of Wallis Lake to the rocky outcrop at Second Head.
While the surf can be mild, conditions may challenge novice and intermediate surfers with southern swells.
At other times, the waters can appear calm and serene.
Swimming is enhanced by the presence of sea baths at the eastern end, nestled within Second Head.
For sustenance, Beach Bum’s Cafe, located just behind the surf lifesaving club, provides convenient refreshments, while the town center is only a short walk away, offering various dining options.
3. Great Lakes
Forster serves as the primary hub in an area characterized by diverse coastal water bodies, each uniquely beautiful and often bordering national parks.
Here, the barrier estuary Wallis Lake converges with the ocean, and further down the coastline you will encounter the Myall Lakes, a series of Ramsar-protected freshwater lakes, along with Smiths Lake, a saline coastal lagoon.
Exploring the Great Lakes region offers opportunities for bushwalking through untouched coastal rainforests, along endless beaches, and within bird-rich wetlands.
With a vast network of waterways at your disposal, the options for aquatic activities are extensive, whether you choose to fish, kayak through the scenic Myall waterways, or enjoy windsurfing or kitesurfing.
4. Booti Booti National Park
Situated on the northern edge of a national park encompassing 15 square kilometers of lush rainforest-covered coastal hills and stunning beaches, Forster offers a remarkable natural landscape.
To illustrate this area’s rich biodiversity, over 650 plant species and 210 bird species have been documented within Booti Booti National Park.
The expanse includes 11 kilometers of estuarine foreshore, with a significant portion featuring the splendid Seven Mile Beach.
Visitors can retreat to this beach for privacy, embark on hikes to scenic lookouts, and bring binoculars for a chance to observe remarkable bird species such as silvereyes, yellow-faced honeyeaters, and scaly-breasted lorikeets.
5. Cape Hawke Lookout
An excellent viewpoint for whale watching, Cape Hawke within Booti Booti National Park is just a brief ten-minute drive from Forster’s center.
The path to the lookout involves a short yet invigorating hike through coastal rainforest, culminating at an 8.4-meter tower that offers panoramic views.
Bring binoculars for the opportunity to observe humpbacks breaching from May to November, and enjoy the incredible vistas the rest of the year.
From this vantage point, witness the unfolding of Booti Booti to the south, Wallingat National Park inland, and on clear days, the ridges of Barrington Tops approximately 100 kilometers to the northwest.
6. Forster Coastal Bicentennial Walk
This scenic pathway commences near the baths at Forster Main Beach, leading you through rainforest along the cliff tops around Bennetts Head, ultimately descending to One Mile Beach.
The allure of this trail lies in the numerous locations that invite visitors to pause and admire the Pacific and the migrating cetaceans that grace its waters each winter.
Designated lookouts are situated between Main Beach and Pebbly Beach, as well as at Bennetts Head, which will be elaborated on further.
As you proceed toward Bennetts Head, the route passes The Tanks, a natural formation where the rocks provide a safe swimming and snorkeling area at low tide.
Although civilization is nearby, the tree-lined path around Bennetts Head creates a sense of seclusion.
7. One Mile Beach
The stunning One Mile Beach stretches for several hundred meters, boasting pristine white sand and turquoise waters, flowing south from the cliffs of Bennetts Head.
The name derives from its proximity to Forster’s Post Office rather than its actual length, which is just over a mile.
This beach is patrolled during holidays and weekends, offering reliable waves for beginner surfers while remaining relatively safe for swimmers.
It is not uncommon to witness playful dolphins riding the waves, and the views over the surf towards Booti Booti Hill at the northern end are breathtaking.
A notable sand dune slopes from Bennetts Head, favored by sandboarders, presenting an irresistible opportunity for sliding down!
8. Wallis Lake
Officially classified as a “trained wave dominated barrier estuary,” the waterbody adjacent to Forster is celebrated for its remarkable clarity.
This exceptional water quality not only creates a beautiful shoreline but also provides a haven for activities such as swimming, boating, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and more.
Dolphins can frequently be spotted in the lake, a testament to the rich marine life thriving here.
The oyster farming industry is the region’s second largest after tourism, and anglers can find a wealth of fish.
The twin breakwaters at the estuary’s entrance attract sizeable bream and mulloway, while the lakeshore offers opportunities to catch a variety of species including black kingfish, bonito, cobia, and bluefin tuna.
9. Bennetts Head Lookout
A popular halt along the Bicentennial Walk, Bennetts Head Lookout offers a breathtaking view from its elevated position at the north end of One Mile Beach.
This lookout is not suited for those with acrophobia, as the main platform extends over the cliff’s edge, granting a view into a ravine and out towards the vast Pacific Ocean.
It serves as an exceptional whale watching site during the winter months, and throughout the year, dolphins can often be seen playing in the ocean.
Embarking on a walk from Forster’s center leads you along the path to the expansive dunes located on the northern side of One Mile Beach.
Arriving early allows you to witness a sunrise that will undoubtedly be memorable.
10. Burgess Beach
The charm of this secluded unpatrolled beach on the Forster side of Booti Booti National Park lies in its tranquility and striking rock formations.
If you seek a peaceful spot to unwind on the sand while appreciating the rugged coastal cliffs, Burgess Beach is ideal.
Throughout the beach, the surf is calmed by rocky outcrops, creating small clear areas for wading.
Families can enjoy exploring the rocky shore and observing marine life in the tide pools while staying safely on the beach.
11. Scuba Diving
Forster is acknowledged as the premier destination for diving along the Mid North Coast, with several accredited centers (Dive Forster and Forster Dive Centre) catering to both novices and those seeking to further their qualifications.
The town’s strong reputation for diving stems from its proximity to grey nurse shark aggregation sites located just offshore, providing exhilarating wildlife experiences.
Additionally, the reefs are abundant with marine life, and the notorious shipwrecks around Seal Rocks offer opportunities for exploration.
PADI-accredited Dive Forster also provides guided snorkeling excursions to the Great Lakes as well as ocean tours for adept snorkellers.
12. Elizabeth Beach
At the southern rocky end of Booti Booti National Park lies an exquisitely scenic bay, sheltered by slopes teeming with rainforest.
The coastal cliffs effectively shield Elizabeth Beach’s gentle arc of white sand from strong winds.
With moderate waves, this beach attracts surfers, yet the breaks occur a good distance from shore, ensuring shallow and calm waters are typically available.
The beach is patrolled during peak periods, and includes a boat ramp along with a grassy picnic area ideal for leisurely barbecues by the ocean.
To the north rises a 169-meter hill that lends its name to the national park, accessible via the Booti Hill/Lakeside walking track.
13. Seal Rocks
If you are inclined to venture further, the village of Seal Rocks is located approximately half an hour south of Forster, set against stunning coastal scenery.
This charming village rests on a peninsula that culminates at Sugarloaf Point, flanked by beaches beloved by surfers, including Lighthouse Beach, Treachery, and Yagon. As previously mentioned, the namesake rock formation is well-known for its treacherous waters, which claimed several ships in the 19th century.
Perched atop Sugarloaf Point is a lighthouse built in 1875, noteworthy for its external staircase.
This area also serves as an excellent location for spotting whales during the winter season.
The village of Seal Rocks remains relatively remote, preserving its quaint and intimate atmosphere away from heavy tourism development.
14. Forster Entertainment Centre
This family-oriented entertainment venue in central Forster offers a wide variety of amusements for both adults and children.
It features 12 lanes of tenpin bowling, which are transformed into “cosmic bowling” on Friday and Saturday nights. Additionally, there is a Jurassic-themed indoor mini-golf course, complete with model dinosaurs and sound effects, as well as a 160-square-meter laser tag arena, an extensive arcade with more than 30 games, and a cafe/snack bar.
15. Coastal Brewing Company
Craft beer enthusiasts will appreciate the presence of a local brewery in Forster, located in an industrial estate to the south.
Coastal Brewing Company operates a 1,200-litre brewhouse and features an onsite tasting room open Wednesday through Sunday.
Visitors can attend a brewery tour, partake in tasting sessions, enjoy a beer of their choice, or purchase cans and fill growlers.
As of 2020, the brewery offered eight different brews, including three IPAs, a Blonde Ale, a Stout, a Dark Ale, and a Sour.
