Activities you can do in the area
Coomba Park
Area Guide
Ocean Beaches (Surfing, Swimming, Fishing)
Boomerang (18 mins)
Almost always a surfing and swimming option. The north end likes South to NE swell in W-NE winds. The south end likes South to North East Swell in SE-W winds. South end gets crowded. North End is often better than it looks when looking from the Bluey's end of the beach.
Blueys (15 mins)
The north end likes South to NE swell in W-NE winds. The south end likes South to North East Swell in SE-W winds.
Cellito (20 mins)
Protected and even offshore in summer NE winds. Likes S-E swells and W-NE winds
Seal Rocks (30 mins)
Super sheltered in big south swells and winds. Loves east swell and wind from SE-W
Flat Water (Fishing, Kayaking, SUP'ing, Swimming)
Wallis Lake (3 mins)
Coomba Park (8 mins)
Tiona / Green Cathedral (17 mins)
Smith's Lake (15 mins)
Golf
Forster (33 mins)
The Forster course attracts a large number of
social golfers year round. At 4868 metres, Par 66 for the men and Par 68 for the ladies it’s generous fairways and forgiving rough are major factors in attracting golfers out for an enjoyable experience. Don’t be fooled by the courses short par 4’s, smaller green’s, the sea breeze, bunkers and water hazards are not to be disregarded and have brought many a good round unstuck. The course is nestled just off Forster’s One Mile Beach with holes 1 to 6 of the front nine on the beach side of the club house sure to remind you where you are, beautiful ocean breeze and glimpses of the sand.
Tuncurry - Top 100 Public (40 mins)
The hidden gem on the Mid North Coast, very few players leave this course untouched by its natural
beauty. The championship layout is sure to test golfers of all skill levels. Demanding from the tee the rolling couch fairways and relatively flat putting surfaces reward the player that drives the ball well from the tee. The Banksia and tea tree rough has been thinned out over the years thanks to the great work from volunteers to make playing this great layout more user friendly. The course has the great ability to handle rain in extended wet periods; the sand base keeps the course in perfect playing conditions whilst surrounding clubs are closed for days and weeks. The dirt track to the course and the old clubhouse has plenty of character and add to the charm of the course. Well worth a game and not to be missed if you’re passing through the area.
Sandbar (15 mins)
Nestled in a beautiful valley between tree covered hills adjacent to Cellito beach you will find our par
31 nine hole golf course. Whether a beginner or a seasoned golfer the course is challenging and for all to enjoy. Golf clubs are available for hire at the Sandbar shop (buggies not provided).
Bulahdelah GC and driving range (42 mins)
Enjoy a round of golf at this picturesque nine hole layout, located just north of the township of Bulahdelah NSW and a leisurley 1 hour drive north of Newcastle. Easy walking around the course, however golf carts are available for hire. After the game enjoy a cool drink and a meal at Sammys Chinese restaurant located in the Club.
Tallwoods - Top 100 Public (51 mins)
Tallwoods Golf Course was designed by Dr Michael Hurdzan, winner of the 2002 Donald A Rossi award by the Golf Course Builders Association of America and Golf World Magazine’s ‘Architect of the year’ in 1997. The involvement of Hurdzan, one of the world’s leading environmental golf course designers, is everpresent in the majestic eucalypts, prolific native vegetation and extensive water features evident throughout the course. Tallwoods Golf & Country Club offers a world class 18 hole championship golf course. The golf course has been rated in the top 25 best resort courses by Golf Australia and has been rated in the top 100 courses in Australia by Golf Digest. The golf course is a par 71 for men and par 72 for women. Each hole has tees designed to suit individual players, it allows novices the opportunity to enjoy their game, and low handicap players to be challenged.
Walking
Wallingat NP (3 mins)
Wallingat National Park, with its varied forest and swamp landscapes, offers hiking, touring, birdwatching and camping in a coastal locale. Here, on the Barrington Coast of NSW, the Pacific Ocean meets forest. At Whoota Whoota lookout, one of Wallingat National Park’s most visited attractions, you’ll be overwhelmed by the beauty. Views expand down over Coomba Bay, Pacific Palms, Cape Hawke and Forster-Tuncurry. Can you spot the bridge that joins the twin towns?
Explore the park further and you’ll see stands of straight, tall flooded gums. At Sugar Creek, there are also stands of cabbage palms, filled with the sounds of Wallingat’s native birdlife. Pack the car and explore what this great park has to offer for a few hours. There’s camping at Wallingat River, and a picnic area at Sugar Creek.
A network of unsealed roads throughout the park allows you to discover its best features. Accessible by 2WD in dry weather, you can also explore them by mountain bike or horseback. There’s great fishing in the river and lake, and you can swim when the weather is warm. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos and wallabies, as well as some of the 200 species of birds that make Wallingat their home.
Whoota Whoota lookout has one of the best views in NSW
This is not only the best viewpoint in Wallingat National Park, but also one of the greatest in NSW. Drive right up to Whoota Whoota lookout and prepare to be amazed. Peer out one way and you can see the vast stretches of eucalypt forest that make up much of the park. Look in the other direction and you can see the expanse of Wallis Lake as well as the winding, rugged coastline. If you’re lucky, you might also see the sea eagles that like to soar here. Don’t forget your camera, because this is one view you won’t want to miss. There’s also a picnic table here if you want to dine with the best natural view of the Barrington Coast as your backdrop
Booti Booti Lakes Walk 15 mins)
The Booti Hill and Wallis Lake walking track touches both the ocean and the shores of Lake Wallis. Bring your swimmers and make a day walk of it with beautiful views from the headland and plenty of wildlife to keep the camera active. Start at Ruins campground and travel clockwise, so the hardest part is knocked off early. Walk out to the stunning Seven Mile Beach and look for the signposted track – this climbs up the northern side of Booti Hill through twisted eucalypts. There are rest spots along the way, and a small opening with a scenic view of Seagull Point right before you enter some refreshing rainforest. Eventually the track emerges onto the ridge-crest above Lindemans Cove and joins a fire trail that leads to a small clearing. Go straight ahead for Elizabeth Beach and a terrific opportunity for an ocean dip. If it’s winter, you might even spot a migrating whale. There are also tables and a barbecue just 100m along the trail, so don’t forget the picnic. Back on the main walking track, branching west, cross The Lakes Way for a change of pace. The final 3.5km of the loop follow the shore of Wallis Lake, with striking lichens and graceful waterbirds aplenty.Soon you’ll reach a grassy clearing with some marked graves. The Gogerly family are buried here; pioneer fishers once owned the land of the Ruins campground.
Cabbage Palm loop walking track begins at Sugar Creek picnic area in Wallingat National Park and follows the first section of Coachwood walk. Along the way, you’ll meander over the alluvial flats of Hotel Creek, which are dominated by striking cabbage tree palms, as well as a variety of rainforest species including turpentines and coachwoods. The track continues past majestic flooded gums, Sydney blue gums and into the slightly drier forest featuring brush box. If you’re lucky, you might hear the mimicking calls of a male superb lyrebird engaging in his courtship serenade. Continuing along an old logging road, the track passes another dense canopy of cabbage tree palms before emerging onto Hotel Creek track. Approximately 200 species of birds can be found in and around the park, including wonga pigeons, king parrots, satin bower birds and glossy black cockatoos. Wallabies, kangaroos, goannas and echidnas all also call this area home.
Sugar Creek trail, also known as Hotel Creek track, is a short walk through lush rainforest and dense palm forest. Starting from Sugar Creek picnic area, it’s a nice hike or easy mountain bike trail that the whole family will enjoy. There is an abundance of wildlife to keep you entertained. You’re bound to spot popular locals such as wallabies, goannas and echidnas. If you’re lucky you might also spot koalas, yellow-bellied gliders and a powerful owl. There are also over 200 bird species found in Wallingat so keep your binoculars handy to get close up views of king parrots, glossy black cockatoos and blue wrens. Find a place along the way to sit and take in the peaceful sounds of the forest. You can then head back to the picnic area to cook up a storm on the barbecue and relax among the tall cabbage palms and flooded gums.
MTB
Wallingat National Park, with its varied forest and swamp landscapes, offers hiking, touring, birdwatching and camping in a coastal locale. Here, on the Barrington Coast of NSW, the Pacific Ocean meets forest. At Whoota Whoota lookout, one of Wallingat National Park’s most visited attractions, you’ll be overwhelmed by the beauty. Views expand down over Coomba Bay, Pacific Palms, Cape Hawke and Forster-Tuncurry. Can you spot the bridge that joins the twin towns? Explore the park further and you’ll see stands of straight, tall flooded gums. At Sugar Creek, there are also stands of cabbage palms, filled with the sounds of Wallingat’s native birdlife. Pack the car and explore what this great park has to offer for a few hours. There’s camping at Wallingat River, and a picnic area at Sugar Creek. A network of unsealed roads throughout the park allows you to discover its best features. Accessible by 2WD in dry weather, you can also explore them by mountain bike or horseback. There’s great fishing in the river and lake, and you can swim when the weather is warm. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos and wallabies, as well as some of the 200 species of birds that make Wallingat their home.
Whoota Whoota lookout has one of the best views in NSW
This is not only the best viewpoint in Wallingat National Park, but also one of the greatest in NSW. Drive right up to Whoota Whoota lookout and prepare to be amazed. Peer out one way and you can see the vast stretches of eucalypt forest that make up much of the park. Look in the other direction and you can see the expanse of Wallis Lake as well as the winding, rugged coastline. If you’re lucky, you might also see the sea eagles that like to soar here. Don’t forget your camera, because this is one view you won’t want to miss. There’s also a picnic table here if you want to dine with the best natural view of the Barrington Coast as your backdrop
Cabbage Palm loop walking track begins at Sugar Creek picnic area in Wallingat National Park and follows the first section of Coachwood walk. Along the way, you’ll meander over the alluvial flats of Hotel Creek, which are dominated by striking cabbage tree palms, as well as a variety of rainforest species including turpentines and coachwoods. The track continues past majestic flooded gums, Sydney blue gums and into the slightly drier forest featuring brush box. If you’re lucky, you might hear the mimicking calls of a male superb lyrebird engaging in his courtship serenade. Continuing along an old logging road, the track passes another dense canopy of cabbage tree palms before emerging onto Hotel Creek track. Approximately 200 species of birds can be found in and around the park, including wonga pigeons, king parrots, satin bower birds and glossy black cockatoos. Wallabies, kangaroos, goannas and echidnas all also call this area home.
Sugar Creek trail, also known as Hotel Creek track, is a short walk through lush rainforest and dense palm forest. Starting from Sugar Creek picnic area, it’s a nice hike or easy mountain bike trail that the whole family will enjoy. There is an abundance of wildlife to keep you entertained. You’re bound to spot popular locals such as wallabies, goannas and echidnas. If you’re lucky you might also spot koalas, yellow-bellied gliders and a powerful owl. There are also over 200 bird species found in Wallingat so keep your binoculars handy to get close up views of king parrots, glossy black cockatoos and blue wrens. Find a place along the way to sit and take in the peaceful sounds of the forest. You can then head back to the picnic area to cook up a storm on the barbecue and relax among the tall cabbage palms and flooded gums. https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/cycling-trails/double-wharf-to-whoota-lookout-cycle-loop This scenic ride is bound to provide hours of enjoyment. Double Wharf to Whoota lookout cycle loop winds through a range of forest in Wallingat National Park near Forster. It’s perfect for adventurous mountain bikers or walkers who relish a heart pumping challenge with their scenic views. Following Double Wharf track to Reedy Creek trail, you’ll cycle past casuarinas, paperbarks and cabbage tree palms teeming with wildlife. Inhale the fragrant fresh air and listen for the eery call of the catbird. You might see wonga pigeons, king parrots and wallabies. As the cycling route ascends steeply the swamp forest gives way to eucalypts on the drier ridge. Reaching the lookout, enjoy the sublime 360-degree views as you catch your breath. Return the same way or for an extra challenge follow Sugar Creek Road west to the start.
Shopping & Dining
Coomba Park Sunday Brunch Cafe
Art
Activities
Big Buzz Fun Park
Big Buzz is only 10kms north of Forster/Tuncurry on the North Coast of New South Wales. Big Buzz caters towards school groups, families and sporting clubs or perhaps everybody! The park offers
exciting rides for ages from 3 to 93 years to enjoy. Big Buzz offers Lunar Quad Bikes, Super Karts, Zippy Go Karts, Bumper Boats, two giant Waterslides each over 100 metres long, Aqua Bikes, Paddleboats, Mini Golf Canoes, and Volley Ball. For smaller children a Mini Train, Jumping Castle, Merry-go-round and Pedal Cars are available. All rides are supervised by trained staff, who ensure patrons are safe in a friendly and clean environment. The Fun Park is set on 25 acres of landscaped parkland letting patrons to enjoy the amusements and also to relax and picnic in well-maintained and peaceful surrounds.
Whale Watching
Fishing Charters
Seal Rocks Lighthouse