Things to do in Tuncurry

Tuncurry is one half of the twin towns of Forster-Tuncurry, with the two being separated by stunning Wallis Lake and connected by the iconic 600-metre bridge that defines this area for those lucky enough to have been enjoying the area since childhood.

Forster-Tuncurry is on the coast in the centre of the Great Lakes region, with two First Nations tribes being the traditional owners. The Biripi inhabit the area between Tuncurry, Taree, and Gloucester, and the Worimi are from the land between Barrington Tops and Forster in the north, and Maitland and the Hunter River in the south.

Coomba Park is at the south-west end of Wallis Lake, and it is one of the last areas in which the ancestors of Worimi Country lived a traditional lifestyle. Coomba means ‘tomorrow’ in the Worimi language, thus Coomba Park being named after a local named Coomba George – a well-respected elder renowned for always planning ahead.

With calm blue water on three sides, Wallingat National Park rising behind, and the forests of Booti Booti National Park across the lake to the east, the seclusion and serenity here makes it an idyllic place to picnic or swim.

Tuncurry is a haven for water lovers

Fishing in Tuncurry

Tuncurry means 'plenty of fish' in the local Indigenous language, and it has always been a fishing hotspot – with a typical postcard image of the area featuring colourful fishing boats of all sizes lining the shoreline.

You don’t get fresher than the seafood delivered straight from these boats every day to the Wallis Lake Fishermen's Co-Op – where you can sit on the lakeside deck and tuck into a lobster tray or a platter of prawns and oysters.

For those keen to catch their own, the most popular fish species to catch in the area include flathead, bream, whiting, and yellowtail kingfish and flathead. The wharfs and jetties are great places to catch some bait fish and meet local fishermen who can give you some red-hot tips on the best places to settle in for the day.

Wallis Lake is home to some of Australia’s best oyster-producing leases, with the set-ups luring in a diverse range of fish. There’s also plenty of prawns, blue swimmer and mud crab if you’re after some fun evening and night action on the seafood prowl.

Where to surf in Forster-Tuncurry

If it’s the surf you’ve come for, although Nine Mile Beach is renowned for its top-notch waves, Elizabeth Beach, Boomerang Beach and Blueys Beach at Pacific Palms are also beaches that the locals flock to when the surf’s up. If you are hitting up Nine Mile Beach, beginner surfers may want to stick to the northern end of the beach, where the waves are smaller and more forgiving. For more experienced surfers, the southern end of the beach offers bigger waves and a more challenging surf break. It's also a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and if you're lucky, whale watching.

Be aware that it’s not always humans you might end up surfing with however, as much to everyone’s delight, the local dolphins are known for dropping in on waves.

Enjoy the Tuncurry Rock Pool

The Tuncurry rock pool is a wonderful place to enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Coolongolook River. Located on the northern side of the Tuncurry Breakwall, this man-made rock pool is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike.

The rock pool is quite large, with plenty of space for swimming, lounging, and soaking up the sun. Its location on the edge of the breakwall means that it's protected from the waves and currents of the ocean, making it an ideal spot for swimmers of all ages and abilities.

The reserve also features immaculate grassy lawns dotted with picnic shelters and BBQ facilities, facing a white-sanded beach, it’s no surprise that this is one of the most popular family destinations in the Great Lakes region. It has an impressive playground too – with a four-storey central play gym made of cubby-house cubes, and two tunnel slides to spit kids out on to the soft sand.

You won't forget the Tuncurry rock pools' natural beauty. The pool is surrounded by towering rocks and lush greenery, giving it a secluded and peaceful feel.

Stretch the legs on a stunning walk or hike

There are many easy walks in Forster-Tuncurry, packed with more than their fair share of stunning scenery.

The Cellito Rainforest Boardwalk is a 10-minute walk from the carpark. Follow the boardwalk snaking its way through the coastal rainforest that will lead you on to the dunes of dog-friendly Cellito Beach – a popular spot for surfers to check the breaks with hounds in tow.

For a four kilometre walk, Pebbly Beach Bicentennial Walk (aka the ‘Bull Ring’ to locals) begins at Main Beach Forster and winds around the impressive coastline, where you can check out Main Beach Ocean Baths, ‘The Tanks’, Bennett's Head and One Mile Beach, which are also home to many sacred Indigenous sites.

The Tanks is home to a great swimming spot protected by a plethora of natural rock formations, and Bennett's Head has spectacular clifftop views ideal for watching the annual whale migration from May to November, when 25,000 humpbacks take the ‘Humpback Highway’ down the east coast.

For a longer 7.3-kilometre loop walk, the Booti Hill Walking Track gives you a great vantage point from which to admire the headland over the Pacific Ocean and Wallis Lake. The walk starts at Ruins campground and picnic area (20km from Forster) taking hikers on a signposted track through forests of gnarly old eucalyptus trees. It’s for more advanced fitness levels and there are lovely places along the way to picnic and swim. Visit during the winter months for some Insta-worthy whale watching photo opps.

Tuncurry restaurants and cafes

Whether you’re after a beachside quick bite, a linger-longer kind of dinner, or some live music with a Bowls Club meal, there’s a Tuncurry restaurant or café to suit your crew.

Sporties Tuncurry is a five-minute walk from Tuncurry Beach and is a bowls and tennis club with live music, a great food and drinks menu. Pop in for a game of bowls and a cool bevvie, and have a chin wag with the locals.

Tuncurry Rock Pool Café, at Rockpool Reserve is a blue beach shack serving up delicious breakfast and lunch meals that can be enjoyed outside on the colourful stools, from 6.30am until 2pm. Enjoy a salad or a burger with a local beer or wine, or a coffee and a sweet treat while the kids tuck into ice-creams.

For a family-friendly, stylish restaurant with lakeside views and a modern Australian menu, get a taste of Forster-Tuncurry at The Deck. The owners pride themselves on fresh locally sourced produce and catering to all dietary requirements.

At Royal Indian Cuisine Tuncurry the friendly staff go the extra mile to welcomes guests. Specialties include Palak Paneer, Madras Curry, Royal Fish Curry and Paneer Tikka Masala. Eat in or get takeaway and enjoy your exotic dish with a water view back at Reflections Tuncurry.

Markets, festivals and events of Tuncurry and beyond

If you are fan of markets, you are in the right place, as the Mid Coast has them in abundance.

From August until March, on the 4th Sunday of every month, the Pacific Palms Community Market, has great vibes and more than 80 stalls showcasing quality handmade products, home-grown and home-baked goods and an abundance of artisan offerings. There’s plenty of sustainable and fair-trade products, jewellery, art, craft, clothes and handmade body products.

Old Bar Community Markets, (held on the beach promenade) is also on the 4th Sunday of every month and only a half-hour drive from Tuncurry. It has fresh produce galore, bric-a-brac, plants, jewellery, homemade products, homewares and lots more.

For those in the area for Christmas, ‘Light Up Old Bar’ is a community event where the whole village of Old Bar is transformed into Christmas Wonderland for all to enjoy.

Seafood lovers, look no further than the The Shuck and Shell, Barrington Coast Sustainable Seafood Festival – a fabulous agritourism experience in mid-January that celebrates seafood delicacies of the Barrington Coast area, particularly Wallis Lake oysters and blue swimmer crabs.

Ready to get your Tuncurry break away started?

One thing is for sure, when you visit Tuncurry, you’ll have so much to see and do that you’ll be planning to cram in more on your next holiday in this gorgeous Great Lakes hamlet.