Spectacular Forster Walks For Total Nature Immersion

Lace up your joggers for non-stop coastal delights along the best Forster walks.

A soothing lake on one side and killer surf beaches on the other: Forster is a wonderland for outdoor escapades. Before I spent my evenings exploring the NSW North Coast town’s thriving restaurant scene, I trailed a string of impressively easy Forster walks that shone a floodlight on its relentless magnetism. From short dashes up to lookouts to winding wanderings through wildlife-freckled national parks, the best Forster walks literally grounded me as endless eye candy flowed. Here are my favourites.

In short

If you only get to one of the best Forster walks, make it the Bicentennial Walk for its clear navigation, ocean bath access (to two, in fact) and unparalleled coastal vantage points.

1. Bicentennial Walk

Forster Ocean Baths from above — Traverse the scenic coastal walk from Main Beach’s Forster Ocean Baths towards Pebbly Beach. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Best for: Ocean views and mostly flat terrain

Distance: 4 kilometres one-way

Grade: Easy to medium

I don’t even realise I’m on the Bicentennial Walk at Pebbly Beach, one of the best Forster beaches, when I visit in February 2026. It’s that accessible, tracing the entrance of Pebbly’s adjacent The Tanks rock pools with an often-sealed path you can take up to Main Beach’s Forster Ocean Baths (where most people start) or south to Palmgrove Park at One Mile Beach. Regardless, I truck further along as this Forster walks’ Pacific Ocean views floor me. While I don’t spot any during my time, dolphins are frequently sighted, as are somersaulting humpbacks during the annual May to October migration. There are two dedicated lookouts along the way but they’re rather unnecessary as it’s a visual feast from go to whoa. While the path is mostly flat, hikers should note that there’s a set of stairs that connect The Tanks at Pebbly to Bennetts Head lookout; however, scattered bench seating facilities, scenic rest stops and public toilets pop up throughout.

2. McBrides Beach Walking Track, Booti Booti National Park

Booti Booti National Park in Forster — Panoramic coastal views await at Booti Booti National Park. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Best for: Beach bushwalking

Distance: 600 metres one way

Grade: Easy to medium

If you’re looking for short and sweet, the McBrides Beach Walking Track in Booti Booti National Park overdelivers. I reach a magical finish line in about 30 minutes total, navigating a well-trodden but unpaved rainforest trail and down multiple sets of stairs to explore the beautiful, completely isolated McBrides Beach. It’s so enchanting that I forget the climb back up. The entrance to this Forster walk is easy to reach, located at a carpark on Cape Hawke Drive, but visitors should note that those with access needs will struggle for obvious reasons. Tip: Pack your cozzies and sunscreen because if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to dip, cautiously (McBrides is unpatrolled), into the rolling surf.

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3. Forster Breakwall to Tuncurry Breakwall

Wallis Lake, Tuncurry-Forster — Wallis Lake meets the Tasman Sea. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Best for: Families

Distance: 2 kilometres one-way

Grade: Easy

I was told about the Forster Breakwall to Tuncurry Breakwall walk by a local and saved it for a late afternoon family stroll, as recommended. It was such a wonderful tip as it offered my husband and I dolphin spotting in Wallis Lake and sunset vistas while the kids loved journeying the central Forster-Tuncurry Bridge and the playground at Rockpool Road, which popped up towards the end. You’ll find toilets by the playground (so make sure they go before you start), and if you’re a hand-caster, pack some bait because there’s plenty of fishing opportunities along the way. As for the breakwalls themselves, they’re both completely picturesque, jutting out over the lake to envelope you in sleepy splendour.

4. Cape Hawke lookout walk, Booti Booti National Park

Best for: Views

Distance: 500 metres

Grade: Medium

I park in the carpark on Cape Hawke Drive where the entrance to a walk up to Cape Hawke lookout beckons. The trail is bushy, littered with fallen leaves but I do appreciate the cool tree coverage and the fenced parts as I ascend to a giant 8.4-metre tower where the lookout lies. It’s a whole lot of stairs, but they’re worth every tensed muscle as the views are spectacular and stretch all the way out to Barrington Tops on the Barrington Coast. Journeying back to the carpark, I notice wildflowers I too hastily overlooked during my mission to the lookout, and when I reach my car, there’s not a spare spot in sight, so I realise I lucked out by arriving early. I highly advise factoring in plenty of time to secure a spot whenever you visit, just in case it’s chockers.

5. Cabbage Palm Loop, Wallingat National Park

Best for: Birdwatching and wildlife encounters

Distance: 1.7 kilometres loop

Grade: 5 – there are some hills, occasional steps and rough terrain

It’s not in Forster proper but the Cabbage Palm Loop trail in Wallingat National Park was such a beautiful wander through the bush that I highly recommend the half-hour drive south. The trail’s distance isn’thectic and its adventurous nature through a tranquil eucalypt forest wins serious points – think rugged timber footbridges, viney oversized tree roots, jagged cabbage tree palms and all the wildlife sounds. Twitchers will love the 200-strong roll call of birds that fill the forest, while wild echidnas, wallabies and kangaroos also roam free.

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6. Booti Walking Track, Booti Booti National Park

Elizabeth Beach at sunrise — Starting from Elizabeth Beach, the track winds up to a stunning lookout, which is a prime spot for sunrise. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Best for: Experienced bushwalkers

Distance: 8 kilometres loop

Grade: 3 – there are steep hills and many steps

One of the longer Forster walks, the Booti Walking Track blends bushland and beach, providing perfect cooling off rewards for high-yield step counts. Located within Booti Booti National Park, the trail is also great for uninterrupted views of Wallis Lake, one of my favourite Forster bodies of water. Start at Elizabeth Beach, about 20 kilometres south of Forster, where you can park your car and pick it up at the end due to the return nature of this walk. It also takes in The Ruins campground, one of the best camping spots in Forster, so tack this trail onto an overnight stay to level up your Forster exploration.

7. Burgess Rd to Cape Hawke

Burgess Beach in Forster — A steep path leads down to the hidden Burgess Beach. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Best for: Views

Distance: 3 kilometres

Grade: Medium

A heavily trailed local’s secret, the Burgess Road to Cape Hawke walk isn’t paved but distinct tracks make it straightforward to stroll. Head to the southern end of Burgess Road where this Forster walk begins, leading you through rainforest to Cape Hawke Drive where the 500-metre lookout walk should never be ignored. In fact, this trail is a great add-on to the Cape Hawke lookout walk if you’re keen to boost your on-holiday step count.

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

7 breathtaking Forster walks to quiet your mind

Lace up your joggers for non-stop coastal delights along the best Forster walks.

In short

1. Bicentennial Walk

2. McBrides Beach Walking Track, Booti Booti National Park

3. Forster Breakwall to Tuncurry Breakwall

4. Cape Hawke lookout walk, Booti Booti National Park

5. Cabbage Palm Loop, Wallingat National Park

6. Booti Walking Track, Booti Booti National Park

7. Burgess Rd to Cape Hawke

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This stretch of Sydney beaches topped the annual Best Australian Beaches list

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.