Holiday houses in Tuncurry

The fishing village of Tuncurry sits on one side of the Coolongolook River on the New South Wales Mid North Coast. Across the bridge lies the larger town of Forster — the twin towns are usually referred to jointly as Forster-Tuncurry. The river that separates them connects the Pacific Ocean with Wallis Lake. This immense body of water forms part of the Great Lakes region, along with Myall Lake and smaller coastal waterways to the southwest.

There are dozens of tiny islands to explore by kayak or stand-up paddleboard along the course of the Coolongolook River and on Wallis Lake. On the Pacific shoreline, Nine Mile Beach runs uninterrupted from the mouth of the river at Tuncurry to Black Head to the north. With fresh fish brought to the wharves daily and Sydney rock oysters harvested from Wallis Lake, the town’s seafood is a major draw. Dine in at a waterfront restaurant, or head down to the grassy riverfront reserve for a memorable seafood picnic.

Tuncurry enjoys mild weather all year long. Spring is generally dry and warm, but expect some chilly days in September before it starts to heat up in late October, when the one-day Forster-Tuncurry Lakeside Festival takes place. Summer brings hot, dry days that are ideal for aquatic activities on the lake or swimming at the beach, although it can get crowded in the peak holiday season when school is out. In autumn and winter, make the most of the cooler days with long walks on the beach or hikes in nearby national parks and nature reserves. Tuncurry is on the Humpback Highway, with whales migrating north past Nine Mile Beach from June.

Rock pools

The manmade Tuncurry Rock Pool at the mouth of the river is the town’s most notable landmark. Two long rock walls trap white sand on a shallow beach, making it a great spot for kids to splash about. Across the bridge, head to the 1930s-era Forster Ocean Baths, a large rock pool below the headland at the southern end of Forster Main Beach, to swim in calm seawater.

Booti Booti National Park

A 15-minute drive from Tuncurry, this coastal national park occupies a narrow peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and Wallis Lake. Tackle the Booti Hill and Wallis Lake walking track, a 2.5-to-3.5-hour hike that loops from Seven Mile Beach to the Wallis Lake shoreline at the southern tip of the park.

Wallingat National Park

A 45-minute drive from Tuncurry around the shores of Wallis Lake, Wallingat National Park takes in bushland of gum trees, cabbage palms, and swamps that are home to bowerbirds, king parrots, and black cockatoos. Tour the Wallingat Forest drive on foot or by mountain bike or four-wheel-drive.