17 minute read
Welcome to the Barrington Coast
@JOHNDEAN_
Ancient Gondwana rainforests, sacred Aboriginal places, iconic ‘Great Lakes’, kilometres of spectacular coastline, drawcard beaches, prized Sydney Rock Oysters and the freshest of fresh seafood, fabulous local produce, endless water activities, National Parks, bush and bike trails, dolphin and whale watching, artists and artisans, vineyards, breweries and distilleries, live entertainment, health and healing, nature and nurture, great coffee everywhere... this is the Barrington Coast.
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GRAB YOUR GUIDE
When you arrive, pick up a copy of the free local magazine “Explore Barrington Coast – The Home of Holidays” – the musthave Eat, Stay, Play Guide showcasing this fabulous destination!
A vast region of northern NSW, whose southernmost gateway is at Tea Gardens just 2.5 hours’ drive north from Sydney, Barrington Coast is the traditional land of the Gathang-speaking Worimi, Biripi and Gringi people and stretches to Harrington and Crowdy Head in the north, the iconic World Heritage-listed Barrington Tops National Park in the west, and the sparkling Pacific Ocean in the east.
GONDWANA RAINFOREST @KATE_MILES_
From the rural idylls of Wingham, Gloucester and Stroud and chilled beach havens like Pacific Palms and Old Bar to the vibrant towns of Forster-Tuncurry surrounded by Wallis Lake and Taree that sits on the famous Manning River, finding space here to unwind, recharge and enjoy the outdoors is guaranteed. Beautiful national parks including Booti Booti, Myall Lakes and Saltwater invite you to explore their natural worlds on bush trails, from lookouts, in crystal clear lagoons and at hidden beaches.
Beaches
Pacific Palms
@midcoast.aerial.photography
Life on and in the water is part of the everyday in our coastal towns. Beaches beckon on the Barrington Coast – Jimmys and Bennetts at Hawks Nest stretch from the mouth of the Myall River to Yacaaba Headland; Seal Rocks, Boat Beach, Treachery Beach, Burgess Beach and Forster Main Beach are among some of the most popular in the region. The village of Pacific Palms alone boasts famous beaches including Blueys, Elizabeth, Seven Mile, Charlotte Bay and recent award-winner, Boomerang Beach, voted 2023 Best Beach in NSW and #2 in the country by Tourism Australia! @JUNGLESURFSUPSCHOOL
LAKES
@junglesurfsupschool
The expansive Great Lakes region –comprised of Myall, Smith and Wallis Lakes – is named for its size and unique freshwater lake system that affords a host of fantastic opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding. Explore the turquoise waters of the picturesque 25km-long Wallis Lake in a hired boat from Forster Marina, or byo boat and take advantage of the Marina’s Casual Boat Mooring options.
The Marina Cafe & Bar is one of Forster’s finest cafes for breakfast and lunch with incredible views over Wallis Lake. Specials change daily, giving you the chance to try everything, from delicious chilli soft shell crab, prawn sliders, scallops and Balmain Bugs to sesame and ginger tuna steak, pork belly bites, grilled veggie stack and satay beef poke bowl. Share a plate of award-winning Graham Barclay Sydney Rock Oysters and other glorious fresh seafood accompanied by a fabulous cocktail, or alternatively you can stock up on cheeses and charcuterie items for a waterside picnic or boat trip on the lake.
Explore restaurants, bars and cafes in lakeside locations for an unforgettable wining and dining experience (don’t miss the spectacular sunsets over the Lake while you’re here!).
Our food is Gastronomical
Tuncurry
@_thirtythreedegrees
Already famous for abundant fresh fish, seafood and of course, award-winning Sydney Rock Oysters, in recent years the Barrington Coast has really ramped up its reputation as a foodie’s delight, with a veritable A-Z of delicious local produce showcased across cafes, restaurants, food outlets and growers’ markets.
FORSTER
MARINABARCAFE
Angus beef, pork and lamb, buffalo cheeses, chutneys and jams, organic breads, chemical-free honey, seasonal fruit and veg and a cornucopia of artisan-made edibles have rounded out menus – everywhere from takeaway outlets to fancy restaurants and across breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner! With so many fresh, locally produced goodies on their doorstep, our chefs have the luxury of creating irresistible dishes across a range of cuisines, and introducing innovative twists to traditional favourites.
Other talented Barrington Coast folk have added a brewery, wineries, gin distillery and locally roasted coffee to the region! Visit the Tap Room at the Coastal Brewing Co. in Forster to taste and takeaway your favourite brew; sample a variety of craft distilled botanical gins cleverly created at Farmer’s Wife Distillery in Allworth; sample brut sparkling Pinot Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, a “liquid caramel” Tawny Port and more at Great Lakes Paddocks winery in Wootton, and Shiraz and Verdelho at Faulls Ridge Wine near Gloucester.
Start your day with locally roasted Little Street Roasters coffee widely served at cafes and eateries across the Barrington Coast. Grab a bag of Bootleg Coffee Beans to take home, available from select retail outlets including Tartt Café and Wingman Espresso in Forster. Watch the sunrise over Forster Main Beach followed by breakfast at Beach Bums next to the peaceful Ocean Baths (aka The Bull Ring) and meet Chef Morgo and his welcoming team at Sips@Mobys on Red Gum Road at Boomerang Beach, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
In the evening, pair tantalising flavours with a glorious sunset over Wallis Lake at Si Señorita and Spice Monkey. You can grab a pizza at Hueys at Blueys Beach and head to the spectacular evening picnic area on
The Lakes Way, with views across to Wallingat. You can also enjoy the sunset view at Nate’s Pizzeria at Crowdy Head and explore ‘the culture of food in Italy’ at Pezzella’s Pizzeria & Bar at Wallis Lake.
@farmerswifedistillery
Cook up a storm while on holidays with your choice of delectable, fresh seafood from Monin Seafoods, available at their retail outlet in Rodmay Street, Tuncurry or at Red Spot Jetty on Little Street, Forster. The Monin family boasts over 70 years as purveyors of the highest quality local seafood, supplying the hospitality industry and other seafood outlets within the region and beyond, including those famous Graham Barclay Sydney Rock Oysters farmed in Wallis Lake by the Barclay family for over a century. •
“A little bit of what you fancy does you good...”
@eastcoastphotographyau
SO GOES THE POPULAR 1915 ENGLISH MUSIC HALL SONG, AND ALTHOUGH THE CONTEXT IS DIFFERENT, THE SENTIMENT IS EASILY REALISED ON THE BARRINGTON COAST!
A PERFECT DAY ON THE WATERWAYS
Plan your day on Wallis Lake with a visit to Forster Marina for paddlecraft, small boats, pontoon boats for up to 12 people and premium boats for corporate hire. You’ll also be able to pick up bait for the day’s fishing, and stock up on snacks, drinks and ice-cream.
ARTS & MUSIC
Marvel at the stunningly curated outdoor art installation, One Square Gallery, on the street-side wall of Blueys Motel at Blueys Beach. Visit The Manning Regional Art Gallery in Taree and the new exhibits (changed every six weeks) at the Lake View Gallery in Pacific Palms Recreation Club (affectionately known as The Recky).
Chill to family friendly live music at the funky Flow Bar in Old Bar and at Palms Pavilion at Tiona (between Pacific Palms and Forster). Every Sunday between 3pm and 6pm, the lawn of the lake foreshore at Palms Pavilion transforms into a fantastic music venue with great local artists, food and breathtaking sunsets. You can also book a private VIP area for 10 or more with your own grazing table.
WELLNESS, BEAUTY, WELLBEING
Forster Healing Hub offers everything from yoga, meditation, infrared sauna, chiropractic and osteopathy to Colour/ Light therapy, Reiki, Crystal Dreaming, Hawaiian Kahuna Bodywork and The Beauty Sanctum. Hire a SUP from Red Spot Jetty or Forster Marina or try SUP Yoga at Jungle Surf SUP School, also on Wallis Lake at Forster-Tuncurry.
STAY ACTIVE
Walk, hike, cycle – whatever your fitness level, the Barrington Coast’s natural playground offers a wide range of leisurely and challenging trails and tracks with the bonus of spectacular scenery along the way.
The popular 7.3km loop Booti Hill and Wallis Lake Walking Track in Booti Booti National Park begins at The Ruins Campground near Tiona (between Forster and Pacific Palms) and takes in Seven Mile Beach, Seagull Point, Lindeman Cove and Elizabeth Beach before heading back along the shores of Wallis Lake. •
Stay in Nature’s Playground
@hubjack70
Stay just a stone’s throw from Booti Booti National Park –you’ll find plenty of accommodation choices at Blueys Beach, Boomerang Beach, Pacific Palms, Forster and surrounding areas.
LET THE EXPERTS FIND YOUR PERFECT HOMEAWAY-FROM-HOME
PACIFIC PALMS HOLIDAYS
With properties available for couples, families, extended family and friends’ groups and solo travellers, Pacific Palms Holidays offers a range of holiday rental options – from well-appointed apartments and villas to cute cottages, funky beach shacks and sprawling homes. The team will help you find your ideal holiday accommodation at Blueys Beach, Boomerang Beach, Smiths Lake, Seal Rocks, Bungwahl, Topi Topi, Tarbuck Bay and Coomba.
PACIFIC COAST HOLIDAYS
Pacific Coast Holidays will guide you to the perfect beach retreat, luxury family home or great apartment in Forster-Tuncurry, Green Point and Blackhead. Properties are varied and versatile, with something to suit all types of holidaying families, couples, solo travellers and larger groups.
RAY WHITE TEA GARDENS HAWKS NEST HOLIDAYS
Tea Gardens Hawks Nest is known as ‘The Myall Coast” by locals, but Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Holiday Rentals at Ray White covers every corner of this southern gateway to the Barrington Coast, extending holiday home options to surrounding areas from Karuah and Wootton. The team will assist you to find the right holiday rental, from beautiful apartments and townhouses to cosy cottages, boutique beach houses and luxury homes.
BOUTIQUE MOTELS
BLUEYS MOTEL
In the heart of Blueys Beach village and just 200 metres from the famed beach that bears its name, the NSW Tourism Award-winning, Blueys Motel, is a boutique 4-star accommodation with design inspired by the lifestyle of this laidback beachside village. Its ten rooms have been reimagined with a chic coastal vibe, creating a welcoming retreat. Ideal for weekend escapes or longer stays, guests can relax poolside, stroll to Blueys Beach, enjoy the village boutiques and eateries in the heart of Pacific Palms, and indulge in local natural health centre treatments. Blueys Motel is also home to the exciting One Square Gallery Street Art Installation.
PACIFIC MOTEL
Settle into the perfect Forster holiday accommodation, mere minutes’ walk to the restaurant and shopping action of Main Street, family-friendly Main Beach and the shores of Wallis Lake. Featuring 11 open and airy rooms (and a 1-bedroom apartment) with a palette of natural and warm colours, guests can also relax by the pool and enjoy the convenience of Wi-Fi and off-street parking.
CAMPING, GLAMPING and CARAVANNING
TIONA
Tiona is a destination in itself – nestled between Forster and Pacific Palms and straddling The Lakes Way between Wallis Lake and Seven Mile Beach, on the edge of Booti Booti National Park. Sprawling and spacious, Tiona offers pet-friendly cabins, villas and glamping, RV, caravan and camping sites, with brazier campfire pit hire available. The property is also home to the beautiful Palms Pavilion, a stunning lakeside event centre, and the unique Green Cathedral, an outdoor church with wooden pews among the palm forest on the lake.
The Barrington Coast is also blessed with fantastic Caravan and Camping NSW (CCIA) parks by rivers, near beaches and lakes and in tranquil bush settings. There are so many great parks to choose from including BIG4 River Myall Holiday Resort at Bulahdelah near The Grandis, the tallest tree in NSW, on the western edge of Myall Lakes National Park; there’s also the Discovery Parks Forster (Darawank) and Reflections Holiday Park Seal Rocks for you to enjoy with the whole family. •
BOOTI BOOTI NATIONAL PARK
@JOHNDEAN_
© Barrington Coast Publishing Pty Ltd 2023
Reproduction in whole or part of content within this feature without written permission, including editorial, photography and design of advertisements by Barrington Coast Publishing, is strictly prohibited. All reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders.
DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed in the editorials are those of the writers and do not necessarily re ect the views of the Publisher and Barrington Coast Publishing. Information provided by contributors, advertisers, interviewees and all source material is understood to be correct at the time of publication. Barrington Coast Publishing does not warranty the accuracy of information contained herein, nor any liability that may arise from any reliance on information provided herein.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and live, the Gathang-speaking people, and pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who now reside in the Mid Coast Council area.
We extend our respect to elders past and present, and to all future cultural knowledge holders.
Coastal Oasis.
SPECTACULAR VIEWS ACROSS TO WALLIS LAKE
Here on the Beaches, we love nothing more than rallying up our friends, throwing an esky, some rods and a board in the boot and heading up the coast. Allow us to introduce you to Coomba Bay’s Sutherland Downs Retreat. This all-year round farm is the holy grail of getaways. Can’t choose between a farm, lake or beach holiday? You don’t have to!
SURROUNDED BY ACRES OF PADDOCKS
Situated across an impressive 28 acres and boasting breathtaking views of beautiful Wallis Lake, Sutherland Downs Retreat is a Mid North Coast jewel. Located in serene Coomba Bay only 15-minutes drive from beautiful Blueys and Boomerang Beach and 30 minutes away from the majestic Seal Rocks, you couldn’t be in a better spot to explore the local area.
stylish accommodation to comfortably fit up to 20 people
However, this farmstay has so much more to offer, you might not want to leave. As you arrive, you’ll be greeted by the property’s enchanting “food forest,” a warm and welcoming party of over 35 fruit trees. You
might be lucky enough to have one of these trees offer you a piece of fruit as a gesture of hospitality. You’ll be blown away by this beautifully crafted homestead. Perfect for large groups, the exceptional layout can easily fit up to five families comfortably.
The farm can accommodate up to 20 people in its six generous bedrooms with multiple communal indoor and outdoor areas. Every aspect of this award-winning, federation style homestead has been thoughtfully considered from timber floor to cathedral ceiling. Surrounded by acres of paddocks, creek beds and rainforest to explore, the car may well stay parked in the driveway.
With a range of entertainment options including a pool, pool table, table tennis, golf driving range, orchard, basketball hoop and trampoline, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Kids will especially love the resident cows, the ponies ‘Blackie’ and ‘Zorro’, and the abundance of local wildlife including King Parrots, Black Cockatoos, Kites and Wedge Tailed Eagles.
You’ll struggle to keep the kids and adults out of the epic games room, complete with pool table, table tennis, Hookey, darts, golf driving net, smart TV, Nintendo, Bluetooth speaker and fridge.The property has high speed Internet throughout so, should you have to, you can work from the farm while the kids are entertained.
Serene Wallis Lake offers opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and swimming, and is only minutes away from the farm. Whether you’re chilling by the pool, snuggling up by the fireplace with a good book or taking a nap in the hammock, Sutherland Downs has got you covered.
Sutherland Downs is an excellent destination for any season. In the Summer, you can enjoy the nearby beaches, lake or pool, while in the Winter, you can experience a cosy indoor and outdoor fireplace, games room, a charcoal smoker and mountain bike trails. So, Winter fishing and walks or Summer surfing. Pick your adventure!
It is a perfect venue for events such as the 28-day Yoga Teacher Training course taking place later in the year. The sunroom doubles as a studio for yoga, Pilates, meditation, art, or as a work retreat office with a view. It is the ideal location to get in touch with your inner self while enjoying the stunning natural surroundings.
FEDERATION- STYLE HOMESTEAD WITH SALTWATER SWIMMING POOL
This amazing property is an exceptional base for any adventure, away from the hustle and bustle of city life where you can set the pace. You and your friends or family will have a unique and unforgettable experience crammed with stunning views, activities, fresh produce and good vibes.
This beautifully designed accommodation won’t let you down, whether you are planning a Summer holiday, Winter getaway, special occasion or a yoga retreat, Sutherland Downs is the perfect location for your next escape. •
1385 Coomba Rd, Coomba Bay, NSW, 2428 // 0481 181 140INSTA @sutherlanddowns // sutherlanddownsretreat.com
As Good As it Gets
BOOMERANG BEACH • BARRINGTON COAST
Mobys Beachside Retreat at Boomerang Beach is nestled on the beautiful Mid North Coast of New South Wales, only 3.5 hours from Sydney. Mobys is the perfect destination for anyone seeking a beachside family holiday, romantic getaway, surf trip or get-together with friends.
Take advantage of the Lagoon style Pool
Stylish Decor throughout the Living Areas
Mobys offers modern self-contained beach house style accommodation with one, two, and three bedrooms. The tropical heated lagoon style pool and spa are perfect for relaxing and the onsite restaurant and bar overlooking the pool deck is the perfect spot for a meal or drink. The gym and tennis court can keep you fit, while the younger kids have their own playground where they can run free or play. Mobys is just metres away from epic surf breaks and sandy beaches.
Swimming Pool
Coastal Cool Bedrooms
Discover why Mobys Beachside Retreat at Boomerang Beach is the hidden gem of the Mid North Coast that will keep you coming back.
Boomerang Beach
Book today, call 02 6591 0000 // www.mobys.com.au // bookings@mobys.com.au // @mobysretreat // 4 Red Gum Rd, Boomerang Beach NSW 2428
