Forster/Tuncurry is a town on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales

Understand

Forster is pronounced Foster (not Fore-sta), and is a popular seaside destination for family summer holidays. There is a large selection of accommodation, and many interesting places for safe swimming, as well as paddle boats and the like. It has all the essentials of a decent-sized country town combined with the tourism-oriented facilities of a popular summer getaway.

The Forster-Tuncurry bridge

It is a place of summer pilgrimage for generations of holidaying families from Sydney.

It has a twin town of Tuncurry on the northern side of the inlet, connected by a long, scenic causeway.

Get in

Forster is on the coastal diversion that leaves the Pacific Highway between Buledelah and Taree. The diversion via Forster will add 30-45 minutes to the trip and hence it's 2.5 hours from Sydney, and one hour from Newcastle.

See

• Whale watching. In season during May to November.
• 1 Cape Hawke lookout, Cape Hawke Dr (in Booti Booti National Park). Has some ocean views. (updated Nov 2021)
• 2 Bennetts Head Lookout, Marine Drive. (updated Nov 2021)

Do

Swim

There are multiple beaches to swim at in the Forster area.

If you head south from Forster you will pass by the 4 most popular beaches in the area, Elizabeth Beach, Shelly Beach, Boomerang Beach and Blueys Beach.

• Elizabeth Beach is a good family beach, fairly shallow all the way out
• Shelly Beach is a bit of a hike and is also a Clothing Optional beach so not suitable for children
• Boomerang Beach is the best of the beaches for Surfing
• Blueys Beach is a lovely, long beach, fairly shallow and good for families
• Diamond beach is a lovely long quiet beach with good surfing

• Paddle Boats

Eat

• 1 Club Forster, 19 Strand St, ☏ +61 2 6591 6591. 10AM–10PM. (updated Nov 2021)
• 2 Cafe Brassbell, Shop 5, Forster Arcade, 41/43 Wharf St, ☏ +61 2 5543 7862. M-F 7AM–2PM, Sa Su 7AM-1PM. (updated Nov 2021)

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Forster, 26 The Lakes Way (Tourist Drive 6), ☏ +61 2 6554 8100. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. (updated Oct 2021)

Go next

• Head down south to Booti Booti National Park or Myall Lakes National Park.