15 Best Things To Do In Forster, Australia

1. Tony's Point Island

Indulge in a fun camping experience at Tony’s Point Island in the outskirts of Forster. Instead of a rustic backcountry setting, you will find yourself camping in an idyllic place with flat grassy areas, lines of tall trees, and scenic views of the lake. You probably do not love camping, but once you have seen the campsite at Tony’s Point Island, you will keep coming back. The facility includes a kitchen (with barbecue provisions), toilets, and even a swimming pool. Bring your camp chairs with you. You can sit close to the lake and have a cup of coffee as you watch the sunsets.

Tony's Point Island

Address: New South Wales 2428, Australia

2. Elizabeth Reserve

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

You have found a sweet spot for bonding with your dogs in Elizabeth Reserve, a decent-sized park that overlooks a lovely lake. Your fur babies are free to run around, much to their liking, while you sit on a patch of grass and read a book. Many who have discovered this not-so-secret gem in Forster consider Elizabeth Reserve as their favorite outdoor reading nook and family picnic location. The park has barbecue facilities for grilling patties to pair with your sandwiches and juices. And on good weather days, you may ride a boat and swim in the waters.

Elizabeth Reserve

Address: Elizabeth Parade, Forster NSW 2428, Australia

Opening hours: 12am - 12pm (daily)

3. Stockland Forster Shopping Centre

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Are you experiencing the Boxing Day adrenaline rush? Stockland Forster Shopping Center has your shopping, dining, and entertainment needs covered. Automotive parts, apparel, sporting goods, pharmacies, whatnots - the place is likely your one-stop retail destination in Forster. It is also an ideal destination for spending family weekends, as it features restaurants and cafes for casual talks and a play area for kids. Massage services and fitness centers are available, too. After your half-day retail therapy, consider booking a nice Swedish massage to relax.

Stockland Forster Shopping Centre

Address: Breese Parade, Forster NSW 2428, Australia

Website: Stockland Forster Shopping Centre

4. Pipers Bay Foreshore Reserve

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Include Pipers Bay Foreshore Reserve in your list of the best hang-out places with dogs in Forster. Big or small, your furry pals are welcome to run in the park’s open-wide grounds. Watch out for signs in some areas where dogs need to be leashed. Occasionally, you will see a deer quietly passing by - a sighting that should not alarm you nor your pet. Pipers Bay Foreshore Reserve is also a lovely place to have outdoor lunch, with the breathtaking views of Wallis Lake in the background. Don’t forget to bring your insect repellant when you visit.

Pipers Bay Foreshore Reserve

Address: Wallis Lake NSW 2428, Australia

Opening hours: 12am - 12pm (daily)

5. Seven Mile Beach

Seven Mile Beach affords wandering souls their much-needed peace during busy summer days. Here is a long stretch of white sand that extends from Cape Hawke to The Ruins Campground at Pacific Palms. Compared to other NSW beaches, the area is secluded (an unpatrolled section) but equally beautiful. Bring friends and family with you if you decide to explore this side of Forster. Nearby attractions include Booti Booti National Park and the two popular fishing and surfing spots - Janies Corner and Bulls Paddock.

Seven Mile Beach

Address: Forster, New South Wales 2428, Australia

Opening hours: 12am - 12pm (daily)

6. Great Lakes Art Society

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Learn how to paint in a weekend workshop at The Great Lakes Art Society, a charitable organization that encourages people to embrace creative expressions as they bring out the artist in them. It also holds workshops for people with special needs. Weekend workshops suit those who want to adopt a flexible approach to learning. Meanwhile, its regular class offerings (as of this writing) include painting and drawing in different mediums, such as oil, pastel, and watercolor. Go check out its schedule of classes on its official website. You can also visit the facility on Lake Street for gallery viewing.

The Great Lakes Art Society

Address: 34 Lake St, Forster NSW 2428, Australia

Website: Great Lakes Art Society

Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 10am - 4pm (closed from Mon - Thu)

Price: From 8 USD

7. Big Buzz Fun Park

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Ah yes! Something the whole family can enjoy, but especially great for kids who have a whole 25 acres (10 hectares) of fun water features that they can enjoy all day long. While the adults barbeque, the kids have a wide range of features to enjoy including jumbo slides, toddlers slides, open water slides, a toboggan run and kamikaze slides.

If the kids do not want to go in the water, there are options like BMXing, mountain biking, speed karts, trampolines and beach volleyball among many other activities that both the kids and the adults can enjoy.

Kids under two years old go in for free.

Big Buzz Fun Park

Address: 1733 The Lakes Way, Rainbow Flat NSW 2428, Australia

Opening Hours: All Days 10:00pm - 4:00pm

Contact: +61 2 6553 6000

Website: Big Buzz Fun Park

8. Forster Beaches

A coastal town, there are several beaches in Forster, open for people to go and have some fun in the sun. Characterized by white sandy strands that go on for over 40 kilometers (25 miles), turquoise water and inviting water temperatures, there is no doubt the beaches are a must-do when in Forster.

Forster Main Beach is one of the sites conducive for a family day on the beach. The surf conditions are quite mild and it is the best as it is close to the center of Forster town and is patrolled frequently - when at the beach, heed warnings.

Then there is Pebbly Beach, appropriately named for its rock formations. Finally, Burgess Beach offers some seclusion - a perfect getaway for couples who would like to enjoy some alone time.

9. Darlings Doll Museum and Coffee Shop

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

For an outstanding collection of dolls presented in a museum, check out Little Darlings Doll Museum and Coffee Shop, which has over 5000 dolls on display, each with a story. The dolls come from as far back as the 1800s to the most recent dolls in the world today. After touring the museum, you can have some coffee or eat at their coffee shop. They also offer a repair shop so if you have a dear bear or doll that is a little worse for wear, you can bring it in for some repairs.

Darlings Doll Museum and Coffee Shop

Address: 8 Failford Road, Darawank, New South Wales, Australia

Open: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. School holidays Wed to Sunday.

Contact: +61 2 6554 3131

Facebook: Darlings Doll Museum and Coffee Shop

10. National Motorcycle Museum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This museum has over 800 motorcycles and a large number of biking mementos on display, from the 1900s to present time. The National Motorcycle Museum tells of the biking history of Australia as it displays vintage bikes, books on biking, toys, souvenirs and other things that one can buy.

National Motorcycle Museum

Website: National Motorcycle Museum

11. Great Lakes Winery

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

One the most frequented locations in Forster, many people find Great Lakes Winery warm and inviting. Apart from that, the winery has a beautiful range of wines on offer and provides a great space for functions. There are tastings which will have you sampling their sweet and dry wines as you get educated on the process of everything from harvest to bottling. One can definitely feel the welcoming ambiance created by the owners when at this winery.

Great Lakes Winery

Address: 115 Herivels Rd, Wootton NSW 2423, Australia

Opening Hours: Contact to find out opening times and events

Contact: +61 2 4997 7255

Website: Great Lakes Winery

12. Timbertown

Learn about the first pioneers who landed in Forster by visiting Timbertown Wauchope. It gives you the full experience with a steam train, watching as the timber craftsmen work and checking out the working bullock team, among other activities.

All of this is possible as Timbertown has been built to recreate the scene of how Forster looked, back in the day. This is a full heritage experience for visitors who want to learn about Forster history by experiencing how life was like during settler days and the struggles they faced when they landed.

Timbertown

Address: 2325 Oxley Hwy, Wauchope NSW 2446, Australia

Opening Hours: Mon & Thur-Sun 9:30am - 4:00pm

Contact: +61 2 6586 1940

Website: Timbertown

13. Cape Hawke Lookout

After hiking about 500 meters (1640 feet) up to the Cape Hawke Lookout, you will find it well worth it as you enjoy the wonderful scene before you. It offers an all-round view of the area including Booti Booti, Wallingat National Park, Barrington Tops and Crowdy Bay National Park.

Bird lovers will have a field day and oh yes, whales come out to play in the winter and you can see them surface from this vantage point.

Cape Hawke Lookout

Address: Forster NSW 2428, Australia

Opening Hours: Call to find out times and applicable fees

Contact: +61 2 9995 6500

Website: Cape Hawke Lookout

14. Bennetts Head Lookout

Another lookout found in Forster is Bennetts Head Lookout, found at the northern end of One Mile Beach. This lookout gives you a full 360-degree view of the area and is quite breathtaking.

15. Dive Forster

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Many people visit Forster to have the experience of swimming with dolphins and whales. For the best experience, they always go to Dive Forster at Fisherman’s Wharf, for their years of experience conducting such tours, both in the open ocean and in lakes. Their best activity is their “Swimming with the Dolphins Cruise”. The tour always goes out into the open ocean, just outside the Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park boundary, where you can come across pods of playful Common dolphins. You might also meet the resident Bottlenose, Oceanic Bottlenose and even Pan-Tropical Spotted dolphins, all while on the tour.

These tours are usually the best way to learn about the different types of dolphins out there and how they relate to human beings and generally, they are quite friendly and playful. For those with snorkeling training, this is an opportunity to put on your snorkel and interact with the dolphins underwater.

There are also Humpback whales in the Forster coast waters from late June through to July as they migrate towards the north and when they come back south in October through November. An out of body experience for many, these majestic ocean animals have a tranquil character.

Dive Forster

Address: On the corner of Memorial Drive & Little Street, Forster 2428, Australia

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 8am – 5pm. Sat and Sun: 7am – 3pm

Contact: +61 2 6554 7478

Website: Dive Forster

All ages are catered for, in Forster

If you are travelling with your family, including kids, guaranteed they will have something to do when they are in Forster. If you are travelling with a group of friends, you will all have some fun group activities to do. If you are travelling with a significant other, then yes, there is also something for you at Forster. Forster caters to all ages, young and old. Be sure to check out the Stayz accommodations and Airbnb vacation rentals in Forster for more options.