Choose your ultimate adventure with the best things to do in Forster

Get your daredevil on or lean into just-shucked delicacies with our list of the best things to do in Forster.

Did you know Forster’s hypnotic Wallis Lake is home to some of the most prolific Sydney Rock oyster farming on Australia’s east coast? The NSW North Coast beach town’s open-air escapades and trendy cafes and restaurants had already charmed me but verifying this bonus factoid cemented Forster as one of my favourite holiday locales.

Here are the best things to do in Forster to help organise your own magical visit.

In short

If you only pick one of the best things to do in Forster, make it a dip in one of the several ocean baths, as they’re free, conveniently located throughout town, and offer calm conditions with sensational views.

1. Cruise Wallis Lake’s crystal-clear waters

Wallis Lake, Tuncurry-Forster — Embark on a scenic cruise along the sparkling Wallis Lake. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Best for: Nature lovers, fishing and families

There’s no chance I was leaving Forster without getting on the beautiful Wallis Lake, which dazzles in part with turquoise-teal swirls reminiscent of the Whitsundays. I ticked off multiple activities at once with a two-hour Back Steer Fishing Boat from Waterline Boathouse, priced at $150 for up to six guests. We threw out a line, took sandbar selfies, ogled oyster farms and spotted dolphins (they’re everywhere in Forster, I’ll admit) before returning to the Waterline Boathouse for fish and chips. The best bit? It was only midday, so there was a whole afternoon to fill with further fun. The team also rent out SUP boards, kayaks and those enormous-wheeled aqua trikes.

2. Tuck into Sydney Rock Oysters right at the source

Wallis Lake Fishermen’s Co-Op's seafood platter — Indulge in a fresh seafood platter at Wallis Lake Fishermen’s Co-Op. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Best for: Foodies

I quizzed multiple business owners on the best Sydney Rock oysters in Forster and the majority said the same thing: Graham Barclay Oysters, down the end of Little St on the lake. While it’s not the flashiest place to slurp a morsel down, it indeed impresses as creamy freshness left me heartbroken when my dozen disappeared. Other great spots to sample local wares include the Wallis Lake Fishermen’s Co-Op (bring your rod as families fish right out front) and Thirty Three Degrees, run by top-notch Sydney Rock producers East 33.

3. Sample local beer and spirits

The Coastal Brewing Company in Forster — Indulge in a beer flight at The Coastal Brewing Company. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Best for: Foodies

I typically visit a local brewery or distillery mainly for its merchandise, but Forster’s home-grown beer and spirits won me over every time. Visiting Wharf St. Distillery is basically unavoidable as it’s in the centre of town, but I’d go back again just for their Lime Leaf Gimlet with cane sugar and lime zest. The Wharf St. Gin Tasting Paddle is also excellent, arriving with tiny tumblers, Fever-Tree tonic water and itty-bitty sliced fruit to create adorable miniature cocktails. Keen for a beer? I recommend Pacific Ocean Brewery, five minutes over the bridge in Tuncurry, for its quality range, wildly artistic mural façade and laneway seating complete with a giant Connect Four to keep the kids occupied.

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4. Dip into Forster’s heavenly ocean baths

Forster Ocean Baths, Main Beach — Cool off at Forster Ocean Baths. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Best for: Nature lovers and families

Home to a string of ocean baths, Forster is such an incredible place for soothing swims. The big daddy is The Bull Ring, technically named Forster Ocean Baths beside Main Beach on North St, which runs 50 metres x 56 metres x 69 metres, but I was blown away by the beauty of The Tanks’ rock pools next to Pebbly Beach as massive rocks create natural protective walling. Little Street Baths on Wallis Lake is a great spot for kids as it’s netted and there’s pelicans and other marine life to stickybeak, while Black Head Rock Pool is another ocean bath with super clear lane markings (not always the case, right?) located about 25 minutes north of town.

5. Set pulses racing with a Grey nurse shark dive

Best for: Adrenaline junkies

Sure, sightings depend on seasons and the weather mightn’t always be on your side, but if you’ve got your PADI (or equivalent) licence, do not hesitate to book Forster Dive Centre’s Grey nurse shark dive. These guys know exactly where the protected species congregate and if the stars align – which they often do – you’re going to see an entire colony of the pointy-nosed predators moving majestically about their day. Tip: Once you lock in your travel dates, call the team to chat sighting likelihood when you’re there. They’re no crystal-ball predictors but they’ll provide experienced information on your chances.

6. Dine in style overlooking the water

dining at Spice Monkey, Forster — Tuck into Asian-style bites with water views at Spice Monkey. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Best for: Foodies, families and couples

My Forster restaurant hit list is lengthy but for the best meals with water views, don’t miss Si Señorita at the end of Wharf Street for tacos and margaritas, Spice Monkey for Asian fusion right next door, and the restaurant at Dorsal by the Sea, which offers some of the best Forster accommodation, on Main Beach for Wagyu steaks. There are great seafood options along Little Street too, like Paradise Marina right next to the baths. For more casual bites, check out my list of the best Forster cafes, often perched within walking distance to the shore.

7. Get the kids’ sillies out at Tuncurry Water Park

Best for: Families

There are plenty of epic playgrounds in Forster and Tuncurry, but Tuncurry Water Park hits differently thanks to its water splash pad, tower and water slide. Located on Point Road in Tuncurry, it entertained my primary-aged kids for more than an hour (that’s a win) and what’s really awesome are the accessible elements like a hoist and an all-age change table within a fully accessible amenities block.

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8. Flex your cards along Wharf Street

Best for: Couples and shopaholics

My retail therapy itch was sufficiently scratched along Wharf Street in the centre of Forster. Even my sweet treat craving was remedied through Forster Desserts’ shoppable lolly section at the rear. Indigo Attic next to Tartt., one of the best Forster cafes, is a gorgeous boutique for children’s wear and beachy mum wardrobe essentials, Coasting Home is the go-to for Hamptons-inspired and far more eclectic homewares, and Heidi Beau is a must for accessories and more clothing.

9. Boost your steps with a Forster coastal walk

One Mile Beach in Forster — Relish the idyllic coastline. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Best for: Nature lovers and serene solitude

There’s a tight collective of stunning Forster walks but I love the mostly flat Bicentennial Walk that starts at The Bull Ring (Forster Ocean Baths) by Main Beach and wraps the coast to Pebbly Beach and beyond. Alternatively, get your sweat on with the 500-metre stretch (including about 400 stairs) up to Cape Hawke lookout in Booti Booti National Park – the views are expansive and totally breathtaking.

10. Reach new heights at Big Air Indoor Bike Park

Best for: Families and adrenaline junkies

When it rained during my February 2026 visit, I grabbed the kids for a session at Big Air Indoor Bike Park in Tuncurry (it’s right on the main road coming from the M1 so it’s easy to find) and everyone had a ball. My favourite part was the bike hire, as my little ones only had scooters, so getting the crew kitted up with perfect-fit wheels and helmets was a breeze. Visitors should note that scooters are also welcome but once you see the bikes flying past, it’s super tempting.

11. Whale-watch on or offshore

Whale-watching in Forster — See travelling humpback whales along the New South Wales coast from May to November. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Best for: Nature lovers and families

If it’s whale watching season (May to November widely, but Forster’s best window is June to October), keep a lookout over the Humpback Highway (Pacific Ocean) to catch beauties soaring up and down the horizon and even closer. Prime vantage points span the Cape Hawke lookout and Bennetts Head lookout, but I’d also consider a ride with Gadhu Dreamland who run multi-length tours with eco-conscious guides. If you don’t spot a whale breach, you’ll likely catch dolphins or turtles while you’re out there.

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

Things to do in Forster: Oyster slurping, ocean baths and more