Top Things to Do in Forster Tuncurry for a Family Holiday
Looking for a family-friendly getaway that combines sun, surf, and adventure? Forster Tuncurry, nestled on the stunning Mid North Coast of New South Wales, has an influence on visitors with its breathtaking beaches and laid-back charm. This coastal paradise offers a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement, making it an ideal destination for families seeking unforgettable memories.
From dolphin spotting and whale watching to building sandcastles on One Mile Beach, there’s no shortage of things to do in Forster Tuncurry. Families can enjoy picnic areas around Wallis Lake, explore nearby national parks, or cool off at the local water park. Whether you’re traveling with toddlers or teens, Forster NSW activities cater to all ages, ensuring a holiday that’ll have everyone smiling from ear to ear.
Beach Adventures for the Whole Family
Forster Tuncurry offers a variety of beach experiences that cater to all family members, from toddlers to teens. The coastal paradise boasts several beautiful beaches, each with its unique charm and attractions.
Swimming at Main Beach
Forster Main Beach is a popular spot for families seeking a safe and enjoyable swimming experience. This smaller beach, located just south of the lake inlet, has an influence on visitors with its calmer waters, making it ideal for children and less confident swimmers. The beach is protected by a break wall, which helps to create a more sheltered environment. At the southern end of Main Beach, families can enjoy the Ocean Baths, which are fed by tidal waters. These baths are a great choice when the waves on the beach become a bit choppy.
The beach has a range of facilities to make family outings more comfortable. There are clean amenities, including toilets and showers, as well as a convenient cafe nearby for refreshments. Lifeguards patrol the beach during peak periods, ensuring a safe environment for swimmers. The beach’s central location also means it’s within walking distance of local shops, making it easy to grab supplies or enjoy a meal after a day in the sun.
Surfing at One Mile Beach
For families with older children or those looking to catch some waves, One Mile Beach is the place to be. Located south of Bennetts Head, this popular swimming and surfing spot has an influence on visitors with its beautiful long stretch of white sand and rolling waves. The beach is home to the Cape Hawke Surf Club, which provides lifesaving services during peak periods.
One Mile Beach offers excellent conditions for both beginner and experienced surfers. Families can sign up for surf lessons with local instructors who provide safe and fun experiences for all skill levels. It’s important to note that the beach can have some tricky rips, so it’s crucial to swim between the flags and follow lifeguard instructions.
The beach has ample facilities, including outdoor freshwater showers, public toilets, and change rooms at both ends. There’s also a cafe that operates during the summer months, perfect for a post-surf snack or drink.
Exploring Rock Pools
For families looking to discover marine life up close, Forster Tuncurry has several beaches with fascinating rock pools to explore. Pebbly Beach, despite its name, has a sandy shore and plenty of rock pools where families can go snorkeling or swimming with local kids. It’s a smaller, more secluded beach that offers a natural and peaceful setting for exploration.
Another great spot for rock pool adventures is Burgess Beach, located off Burgess Road towards Cape Hawke. This pretty beach has lots of rock pools and small caves for families to explore, providing endless entertainment for curious children. These natural aquariums are home to various marine creatures, offering an educational and exciting experience for kids and adults alike.
When exploring rock pools, it’s important to remind children to be gentle with marine life and to leave everything as they found it. Wearing appropriate footwear is also recommended to prevent slips on wet rocks.
These beach adventures in Forster Tuncurry provide families with a perfect blend of relaxation, excitement, and natural discovery. Whether you’re swimming, surfing, or exploring rock pools, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this coastal paradise.
Exciting Water Park Fun
Forster Tuncurry offers thrilling water park experiences that are perfect for families looking to cool off and have a blast. The area boasts several exciting options that cater to visitors of all ages, ensuring a fun-filled day for everyone.
Big Buzz Fun Park Activities
The Big Buzz Fun Park is a must-visit destination for families seeking a variety of activities. Spanning over 25 acres, this park has an influence on visitors with its wide range of attractions. From water-based fun to dry land activities, there’s something to keep everyone entertained.
One of the highlights of the Big Buzz Fun Park is the Crazy Water Maze. This attraction challenges visitors to race through a maze while dodging clam shells that dump water on them, providing a refreshing and exciting experience for all ages. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the park offers a 480-meter-long toboggan ride that’s sure to get hearts racing.
Water Slides and Splash Zones
Water slides are a key feature of the Big Buzz Fun Park, offering thrills for visitors of all ages. The park has three open waterslides that are incredibly fast, promising to make stomachs twist as riders fly around the bends. These slides are perfect for thrill-seekers and those looking to cool off on a hot day.
For families with younger children, the park has a toddler water playground. This area includes a waterslide, splash area, and shallow lagoon specifically designed for kids under six years old. This ensures that even the littlest visitors can join in on the water fun in a safe and age-appropriate environment.
In addition to the Big Buzz Fun Park, Forster Tuncurry has recently welcomed a new inclusive water playground, Tuncurry Splash Park at Vincent Fazio Park. This free facility has an influence on visitors with its all-age, all-ability water splash pad, water slide, and water tower. The playground is designed without standing water, eliminating the need for lifeguards and ensuring a safe environment for families.
Dry Land Activities
While water activities are a major draw, the Big Buzz Fun Park also offers plenty of dry land fun. Families can enjoy a round of mini-golf on the 9-hole putt putt course, which provides a fun challenge for both kids and adults . For those seeking more excitement, the park offers outdoor laser tag games set in an open-air environment with plenty of obstacles for cover.
Speed enthusiasts will love the go-karting experience at the park. The speed karts feature high-tech alloyed wheels and solid braking systems, allowing riders to reach rapid speeds in a short distance. For younger visitors, there’s a range of carts and bikes available, including pedal carts, scooters, and electric quad bikes.
After a day full of activities, families can relax in the park’s picnic areas. The Big Buzz Fun Park provides free gas BBQs for visitors who want to cook up a feast . Alternatively, the park’s kiosk offers a menu including burgers, fish, and chips for those who prefer not to cook.
With its diverse range of activities and attractions, the water parks in Forster Tuncurry provide an exciting addition to the area’s many things to do, ensuring unforgettable family memories.
Nature Exploration and Wildlife
Forster Tuncurry offers a wealth of natural wonders for families to explore, from lush national parks to stunning coastal vistas teeming with wildlife. The area has an influence on visitors with its diverse ecosystems, providing unique opportunities for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
Booti Booti National Park
Booti Booti National Park, just 10 km south of Forster, is a must-visit destination for families seeking to immerse themselves in nature. This 8km peninsula, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and Wallis Lake, offers a perfect blend of scenic headlands, beautiful beaches, and refreshing rainforest.
The park’s name, derived from “butibuti,” the local Worimi Aboriginal word for “plenty of honey,” perfectly captures the abundance of natural experiences available [6]. Families can enjoy picnicking beneath paperbarks, hiking through diverse landscapes, and swimming at pristine beaches. The park also provides excellent opportunities for surfing and mountain biking, catering to more adventurous family members.
For breathtaking views, families can follow the scenic walkway to the lookout at Cape Hawke. This vantage point rewards visitors with magnificent 360-degree vistas, including a clear view of the twin towns of Forster-Tuncurry to the north. The Booti Hill / Lakeside walking track, a 3.2 km circuit, is another family-friendly option, featuring littoral rainforest and access to both surf and lakeside beaches.
Whale Watching Tours
Whale watching is a popular activity in Forster Tuncurry, offering families a chance to witness these majestic marine mammals up close. From May to November, humpback whales migrate along the coast, providing spectacular sightings for lucky observers.
Several tour operators in the area offer whale watching excursions. These tours not only provide opportunities to see whales but also to spot dolphins, albatrosses, and other marine life. Some operators, like Gadhu Dreamland, offer intimate experiences with small group sizes, allowing for behind-the-scenes encounters that larger tours can’t provide.
During these tours, families might witness awe-inspiring behaviors such as breaching and tail slapping. Many operators have knowledgeable guides who provide insightful commentary on marine conservation and local cetacean behavior, making the experience both entertaining and educational.
Bird Watching
The Lower Manning Valley surrounding Taree and the Wallis Lake area around Forster Tuncurry are havens for birdwatchers. The region’s diverse habitats, including rainforests, woodlands, coastal heaths, and tidal estuaries, host a wide variety of bird species.
Families can explore numerous national parks, state forests, and nature reserves to spot different bird species. The pristine waterways of the Manning River and Wallis Lake are particularly good locations for viewing waterbirds, bushbirds, and raptors. Some tours offer boat cruises, providing a unique perspective for bird watching.
For those interested in seabirds, the endless kilometers of white sandy beaches and rugged cliffs provide excellent vantage points. These areas also offer chances to spot dolphins and whales during their migration season.
Booti Booti National Park is a notable location for birdwatching, with over 200 species calling the surrounding waterways and forests home. Families can enjoy this activity year-round, with the best times being around dawn or dusk when wildlife is most active.
Family-Friendly Dining and Shopping
Forster Tuncurry offers a delightful array of dining and shopping experiences that cater to families looking to make the most of their holiday. From waterfront restaurants with stunning views to local markets brimming with fresh produce and unique finds, there’s something to satisfy every taste and interest.
Waterfront Restaurants
Families seeking a memorable dining experience will find plenty of options along the waterfront. The Deck in Tuncurry provides an ideal setting for all-day dining with expansive vistas of Wallis Lake. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it offers a diverse menu that includes healthy super bowls and house-made burgers, catering to various dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options .
For those craving Asian fusion cuisine, Spice Monkey in Forster overlooks Wallis Lake and features a sushi bar. The restaurant’s share plate style allows families to sample a variety of flavors, making it a fun and interactive dining experience. Beach Bums Cafe, located near Forster Main Beach, provides a relaxed atmosphere with outdoor seating and ocean views, perfect for families looking to enjoy a meal after a day of water activities.
Local Markets
Exploring local markets is one of the things to do in Forster Tuncurry that offers a glimpse into the region’s character. The Tuncurry Markets, held on the fourth Saturday of each month at John Wright Park, showcase a wide variety of stalls selling crafts, books, plants, art, cakes, jewelry, clothing, and more. This harbourside market is a main event for both the local community and tourists, providing a wonderful atmosphere for families to browse and shop.
For those interested in fresh local produce, the Forster Farmer’s Markets take place on the third Saturday of each month on Little Street in Forster [15]. These markets are an excellent opportunity for families to sample and purchase delicious local goods while supporting regional producers.
Souvenir Shops
Families looking to take home a memento of their Forster Tuncurry holiday will find various gift shops in the area. Lunar Bay, located in Forster, offers a wide selection of baby accessories, educational toys, and activities for all ages [16]. They specialize in unique and sustainable products, making it an ideal stop for families seeking high-quality souvenirs or gifts [16].
For those shopping with children, Stockland shopping center provides a play area located at the Eastern entry, allowing parents to relax with a coffee while their kids have fun [17]. The center also offers Parents with Prams parking close to the entrances for added convenience [17].
Conclusion
Forster Tuncurry has an influence on visitors as a perfect family holiday destination, offering a blend of natural beauty, exciting activities, and relaxing experiences. From building sandcastles on pristine beaches to spotting whales and exploring national parks, the area provides endless opportunities to create lasting memories. The diverse range of family-friendly dining options and local markets adds to the charm, allowing families to savor local flavors and take home unique souvenirs.
As families wrap up their Forster Tuncurry adventure, they’ll find themselves with a treasure trove of experiences to cherish. Whether it’s the thrill of water park slides, the serenity of beach walks, or the joy of wildlife encounters, this coastal paradise leaves a lasting impact. With its perfect mix of relaxation and excitement, Forster Tuncurry proves to be an ideal getaway for families looking to escape the everyday and dive into a world of sun, surf, and unforgettable moments.
FAQs
Is Forster a suitable place for a holiday?
Absolutely! Forster is a fantastic destination for those looking to enjoy water-based activities and more. The area offers a diverse range of attractions, making it an excellent choice for tourists.
What activities are available in Forster on a rainy day?
On rainy days, Forster still offers plenty of entertainment. You can enjoy a movie at Great Lakes Cinema 3, play putt-putt golf, go ten pin bowling, participate in laser skirmish, visit the Great Lakes Aquatic & Leisure Center, or shop at Stockland Forster.
What is Tuncurry famous for?
Tuncurry is well-known for its Nine Mile Beach, which is ideal for swimming, surfing, and fishing. Additionally, the Tuncurry Rockpool offers a safe, netted swimming area, protected by breakwalls at the entrance to Wallis Lake.
Where can one spot kangaroos in Forster?
Kangaroos are commonly seen at Diamond Head Beach, located at the northern end of the Barrington Coast. This beach, known for its striking rock formations, and the adjacent campsite are popular habitats for eastern gray kangaroos.
