Forster Overview

The small towns of Forster (FOS-ter) and Tuncurry are the most urban locales in the popular Great Lakes region. Although Forster’s beaches pale in comparison to those just south, the town is a pleasant stop near Sydney or Byron Bay. It is also the most comfortable stopover for exploring the Great Lakes region.

Transportation And Practical Information. Approaching the Pacific Hwy. from the south, exit at The Lakes Way. The Forster turnoff is 4km north of Buladelah and a 1hr. drive up The Lakes Way. From the north on the Pacific Hwy., turn east onto The Lakes Way in Rainbow Flat; Forster is a 15min. drive. Tuncurry is on the north side of The Lakes Way bridge, before you cross into Forster. Busways (☎1800 043 263) runs to Bluey’s Beach (30min.; M-F 3 per day, Sa-Su 2 per day; $12, concessions $6, student/YHA $10), Newcastle (2hr.; 3 per day M-F, 2 per day Sa-Su; $35.50/17.50/28.40), Sydney (5hr.; 1 per day 7:15am; $55/37/44). Eggins Comfort Coaches (☎02 6552 2700) goes to Taree (1hr.; M-Sa 2-4 per day; $13.40, concessions $6.70). There’s no public transportation to Myall Lakes. To get to Booti Booti, you can take the Busways to Bluey’s Beach and request a stop at Tiona. Buses run 3 times a day, so you can take one to go there and catch another one coming back. See Busways info above.

The Forster Visitors Centre, 2 Little St., is by the wharf and is the bus terminal and a booking agency. Tickets can also be bought onboard. As the main visitors center for the Great Lakes region, this is the place to gather info on nearby beaches and national parks. Be sure to pick up a map of the area, since much of its charm lies in the many secluded beaches off main roads. (☎02 6554 8799 or 1800 802 692; www.greatlakes.org.au. Open daily 9am-5pm.) The police station (☎02 6555 1299) is on Lake and West St., and the post office is on the corner of Wallis Ln. and Beach St. in the center of Forster. You can rent bikes at Holiday Hire in the Dolphin Arcade across the river in Turncurry. (☎02 6557 2012; call to book in advance.) Postal Code: 2428.

Accommodations And Food.  Lani’s Holiday Island , 33 The Lakes Way, offers value cabins and huts in a gated caravan park. Lani’s owns an entire 100-acre island for bush camping. Amenities include pools and in-house movies. (☎02 6554 6273 or 1300 653 258; www.lanis.com.au. Internet $6 per hr., Wi-Fi $4 per hr. Linens $6. Cabins $40-75; ensuite powered sites $35-55, unpowered $22-39.) The tourist office can provide a list of budget motels in the area. To fuel up on a sumptuous all-you-can-eat dinner buffet—also called a smorgasbord in Australia—visit Danny’s Family Restaurant , 2 Strand St., in the Forster Bowling Club. Simply sign in at the front door to enter the club and proceed to Danny’s Restaurant. (☎02 6554 6155; www.forsterbowl.com. M-Th and Su 6-9pm; F-Sa 5:30-9pm. $18.50 all-you-can-eat dinner buffet, $6.50 lunch (1 plate of food) noon-2pm.) El Barracho Mexican Cantina , Wharf St. (☎02 6554 5573), was voted Best Mexican Restaurant of the Year in the Northern Region for its fun atmosphere and wholesome Mexican food (main dishes $13-17).

Sights And Activities.  Tobwabba (taw-WAB-buh), 10 Breckenridge St., is an Indigenous studio and art gallery. The beautiful prints and canvasses are good alternatives to your usual ubiquitous stuffed kangaroos and koala souvenirs. (☎02 6554 5755; www.tobwabba.com.au. Generally open M-F 9am-5pm, but call and check before going.) At the south end of Forster Beach, three blocks north of town on West St., are toilets, a BBQ, and a saltwater swimming pool. The Bicentennial Walk runs from Forster Beach to Pebbly Beach, with rock pools and dolphin-spotting along the way. For better beaches, head south 20km on The Lake Way or to Booti Booti National Park .

Boomerange Rainforest Tour (☎02 6554 0757) offers fun 4WD tours starting from $39. Call for a free hotel pickup. Boat and tackle rental sheds line the shore. Forster’s Dive School, at Fisherman’s Wharf opposite the post office, runs a variety of trips, including a swim-with-dolphins cruise ($60, non-swimmers $30) and a dive with gray nurse sharks. (☎02 6554 7478; www.diveforster.com.au. 2 dives with equipment approx. $140.) Consult the visitors center for more options.