Things to do in Forster, NSW

The best things to do in Forster, NSW, are all coast-related. The top attractions include One Mile Beach, the Pebbly Beach Bicentennial Walk and Cape Hawke. Star activities in Forster include Dive Forster’s swimming with dolphins trip and whale-watching with Amaroo Cruises.

Up and down the coast of New South Wales, there are several glorious beach towns. Some of these, such as Bawley Point, Seal Rocks, Cabarita Beach and Callala Beach, are little more than hamlets with holiday accommodation. Forster, NSW, is a little bigger than that, and makes a perfect stop on the drive north from Sydney to Coffs Harbour or Byron Bay.

Don’t leave it too late. Book in advance for the best prices on Forster accommodation.

Things to do in Forster, NSW: Main Beach and the Bull Ring

Forster is still all about the magnificent coastline, even if neighbouring Tuncurry has arguably better beaches, such as Nine Mile Beach. Forster Beach – sometimes called Main Beach – is a good family spot as Second Head protects it somewhat from the swells.

It’s also home to the Bull Ring, a magnificent open air ocean baths which offers all the saltwater swimming and none of the swell.

Forster attractions: Pebbly Beach Bicentennial Walk

The Bull Ring is the starting point for the Pebbly Beach Bicentennial Walk, which follows the coast for 4km. It weaves together Pebbly Beach, with the popular Tanks swimming area, and Bennetts Head. Bennetts Head is a top spot for spotting dolphins and whales without having to go on a boat trip.

The Pebbly Beach Bicentennial Walk then continues to surfer favourite One Mile Beach and to the considerably quieter Burgess Beach.

Sunrise at One Mile Beach in Forster, NSW. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

The Booti Booti National Park, just to the south of Forster, offers more of the same, but quieter. Spot birdlife while walking around Wallis Lake, and watch those whales from the tower at Cape Hawke.

Things to do in Forster, NSW: Boat tours

Otherwise, the best things to do in Forster involve getting on a boat. Dive Forster primarily offers PADI dive courses, but it has a frankly bewildering array of other options too. These include Wallis Lake snorkelling tours and an Ocean Safari. The Dive Forster Ocean Safari is a $200, four hour experience that involves swimming with whatever’s in the water at the time. The focus is on swimming with dolphins and (harmless) grey nurse sharks, but there’s also a good chance of seeing rays and turtles.

What to do in Forster, NSW: Whale-watching cruises

Amaroo Cruises runs whale-watching cruises, offering a 100% whale sighting guarantee during the humpback whale migration season. That’s between early June and November. These Forster whale-watching cruises cost $75. For the rest of the year, Amaroo Cruises runs dolphin-watching cruises costing $55.

Reel Ocean Adventures also offers a variety of cruises, but specialises in fishing charters. Head out deep sea fishing with Reel Ocean Adventures and you’ve got a good chance of catching snapper, kingfish, gemfish and shark.

Getting to Forster, NSW

The Sydney to Forster drive is 313km long, and takes around three hours and 25 minutes. Getting to Forster via public transport is trickier, although the Busways 151 bus from Taree to Newcastle passes through Forster. If you go the coastal route, Forster is also a good stop on a road trip from Newcastle to Port Macquarie.

Forster accommodation

There are several good accommodation options in Forster. Pick the Hotel Forster for a big pool, the Forster Motor Inn for well-located convenience and the Dorsal Boutique Hotel for charm.

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