Top Towns for 2022: Forster is a summer getaway without the crowds

By Imogen Eveson
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An archetypical Aussie holiday town defined by its lakes and beaches, Forster is a recipe for recreation and relaxation. One of the many reasons it was voted no. 40 on your list of Top 50 Aussie Towns.

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns here.

I find a shady spot at the top of the sand dune that rises from the northern end of One Mile Beach. With the rhythm of the ocean in my ear, I pull out my book and lose track of time.

This is the appeal of Forster. With its yawning beaches, restful holiday homes, great restaurants and endless opportunities to get out on the water, a trip here boils life down to the essential ingredients required to slow down, relax and unwind.

Wallis Lake

Marvel at the glittering marine hues of Wallis Lake. (Image: Destination NSW)

For travellers heading to this laid-back Great Lakes town on NSW’s Barrington Coast, this state of being begins the moment they cross the bridge that connects to Forster from its twin town Tuncurry and see the glittering marine hues of Wallis Lake splayed out in all directions.

The town sits scenically on a spit of land between the ocean and the lake and it’s the life aquatic here: with boating, fishing, paddling, snorkelling, whale-watching and even swimming with dolphins (see Dive Forster at Fisherman’s Wharf) all part of the appeal.

Forster’s animated town centre has a dynamic and diverse array of eateries to sample: Beach Bums Cafe overlooking Main Beach is a morning institution. Order Asian dishes at Spice Monkey and tacos, tequilas and sunsets at Si Señorita.

Menu at Spice Monkey Foster NSW

Enjoy Asian fusion cuisine at Spice Monkey. (Image: Destination NSW)

Plunge Cafe is a creative spot in a quiet, residential pocket that is all about community and supporting local, as well as excellent coffee.

One of Forster’s newest restaurants, Isola Riva offers a menu of Mediterranean share plates from a pole waterfront position.

Menu at Isola Foster NSW

Enjoy a carefully curated menu of share plates at Isola Riva. (Image: Destination NSW)

External view of Isola Foster NSW

Isola Riva’s scenic location. (Image: Destination Barrington Coast)

Wallis Lake is also the biggest producer of Sydney rock oysters in the state – enjoy them over a long lazy lunch on the foreshore of the lake at Thirty Three Degrees in Tuncurry.

Paddleboard in Foster

Forster is paradise for paddleboarding. (Image: Destination NSW)

And then there are the beaches, of course. Forster’s Main Beach, located at the entrance of Wallis Lake, runs from the breakwall to the ocean baths also known as the Bull Ring.

Foster Beach Mural

A splash of colour at Forster Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

It’s also where the four-kilometre Bicentennial Walk begins, taking in Pebbly Beach before reaching the panorama of Bennetts Head lookout and landing you at the top of the sand dune on One Mile Beach: a favourite spot for families and surfers; where you, too, can find your moment of quiet contemplation.

One Mile Beach Foster NSW

One Mile Beach is the perfect spot for a moment of quiet contemplation.(Image: Destination NSW)

Explore more of the NSW North Coast in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.
Imogen Eveson is Australian Traveller’s Print Editor. She was named Editor of the Year at the 2024 Mumbrella Publish Awards and in 2023, was awarded the Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) Australia’s Media Award. Before joining Australian Traveller Media as sub-editor in 2017, Imogen wrote for publications including Broadsheet, Russh and SilverKris. She launched her career in London, where she graduated with a BA Hons degree in fashion communication from world-renowned arts and design college Central Saint Martins. She is the author/designer of The Wapping Project on Paper, published by Black Dog Publishing in 2014. Growing up in Glastonbury, home to the largest music and performing arts festival in the world, instilled in Imogen a passion for cultural cross-pollination that finds perfect expression today in shaping Australia’s leading travel titles. Imogen regularly appears as a guest on radio travel segments, including ABC National Nightlife, and is invited to attend global travel expos such as IMM, ILTM, Further East and We Are Africa.
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This NSW coastal walk has secluded beaches, wildflowers and whale watching

    By Emily Murphy
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    Rugged headlands, hidden beaches and sweeping ocean views.

    Tucked inside Hat Head National Park, Connors Walking Track is one of those quintessential North Coast hikes that rewards you at every turn. Beginning near the famous Trial Bay Gaol at South West Rocks, the 3.7-kilometre one-way trail hugs the clifftops and leads walkers across windswept headlands, heathland and shaded forest before spilling out onto the golden arc of Gap Beach.

    Why it’s worth the walk

    This isn’t a trek that demands heavy boots or a packed lunch; it’s a short hike you can squeeze into a morning or afternoon. But don’t be fooled: what it lacks in distance, it makes up for in difficulty. The coastal walk is on a relatively rough track, with short, steep hills, occasional steps and natural obstacles along the way.

    You’ll pass lookouts with front-row views over the Pacific Ocean, and in whale season (May to November), you might even catch the telltale blow of a humpback passing offshore. The trail weaves through banksia and eucalypt forest before opening onto exposed headlands where the sea breeze is at its fiercest. At its finish, Gap Beach is a wild, unpatrolled stretch of sand that feels a world away from South West Rocks.

    How to do it

    Scenic coastal views from Little Bay Picnic Area, South West Rocks

    You can start the walk from Little Bay picnic area. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Start the walk from Trial Bay Gaol or Little Bay picnic area and allow one to two hours one way. Some hikers opt for a return trip, while others arrange a pick-up at the other end to keep things easy. The track is well-marked, but you’ll need some bushwalking experience and a moderate level of fitness to tackle the steep sections and sandy approach to the beach.

    If you’ve got more energy to burn, Connors Walking Track connects with other trails in Hat Head National Park, including the Smoky Cape Range Walking Track, giving you options to extend your adventure.

    Need-to-know

    Green hills covered with juicy grass by the ocean, beautiful beach surrounded by cliffs in Australia, Connors Beach in Hat Head National Park, NSW

    Connors Walking Track is a must-do hike in northern NSW. (Image: Getty Images / Jakub Maculewicz)

    Distance: 3.7 kilometres one way
    Time: 1-2 hours
    Difficulty: Grade 4
    Experience required: Yes
    Start/finish: Trial Bay Gaol or Gap Beach
    Best for: Coastal views, whale spotting, wildflowers

    Connors Walking Track is one of the North Coast’s most rewarding short hikes, a chance to lace up your shoes and, in under two hours, be transported from historic ruins to windswept headlands to an untouched stretch of sand. If you’re heading to South West Rocks, consider this your must-do walk.