touring drive 1

TOURING DRIVE 1
the coastal discovery
Travelling from Forster Tuncurry to
Bulahdelah via Coomba, Pacific Palms
& Seal Rocks
1
points of interest
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Tuncurry
a. Nine Mile Beach
b. Tuncurry Rockpool
Forster
a. Main Beach & Ocean Baths
b. Visitor Info Centre
c. Pebbly Beach
d. The Tanks
e. Bennett’s Head Lookout
f. One Mile Beach - Sand Dune
Cape Hawke Lookout
Great Lakes Sailing Club
Santa Barbara Park
Green Cathedral, Tiona
Booti Booti National Park
Sunset Park
Pacific Palms
a. Elizabeth Beach
b. Boomerang Beach
c. Blueys Beach
Coomba Village
Cellito Beach & Sandbar
Smiths Lake
Brambles Reserve Picnic Area
Tank Traps
Tarbuck Bay
Whoota Whoota Lookout
Seal Rocks
a. Number One Beach
b. Boat Beach
c. Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse
Neranie
The Grandis
Bulahdelah
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10
3
4
5 16
7
8
6
9
20
19
13+15
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17
14
12
18
0
For a full drive commentary go to
www.greatlakes.org.au/touring-drives
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KILOMETRES
TOURING DRIVE 1
2e
bennetts head
lookout
A steady climb to the top of Marine Drive
will bring you to Bennetts Head Reserve
and lookout. This viewing platform affords
spectacular views of the entire Forster
Tuncurry coastline and beyond. You may also
be lucky enough to spot a migrating whale!
The Coastal
Discovery
Highlights
3
cape hawke
lookout
This superb lookout is worth every step of
the 500m hike through littoral rainforest.
At the top you’ll reach a viewing tower with
360 degree views, taking in the Pacific
Ocean, Wallis Lake, Pacific Palms and the
entire surrounding area. Don’t forget your
binoculars!
1b
4
tuncurry
rockpool
The Rockpool swimming enclosure is a
favourite with locals and tourists. Located at
the start of the ‘breakwall’ with access to Nine
Mile Beach, this spot has it all. Follow up a
swim or splash about in the rockpool, with a
leisurely stroll along the Beach or Breakwall.
Head to the adjacent park and enjoy a picnic
great lakes
sailing club
or cook up a storm on the BBQ, whilst the kids
burn off energy on the park’s play equipment.
Or simply relax and enjoy the view of the
dolphins frolicking in the channel. The
Rockpool Reserve also has a kiosk where you
can enjoy a coffee, snack or ice cream.
2d
the
tanks
Visit “the tanks” for a swim in a rocky
wonderland - safe in most weather and ideal
for small children to explore the rocks and
waters. You can reach the tanks from Head
St, across the reserve.
This is a truly peaceful spot in Booti Booti
NP, right on the edge of Wallis Lake. The
shallow waters provide a safe place for kids
to swim. With picnic tables, a large grassy
area, toilets and a shady palm canopy there’s
everything you need to while away a lazy day
by the lake.
16
whoota whoota
lookout
Located in the Wallingat NP this is one of the
great natural viewing platforms in Australia.
Drive right up to Whoota and prepare to be
amazed with panoramic views across vast
stretches of eucalypt forest, the expanse
of Wallis Lake and the winding rugged
coastline.
17c
TOURING DRIVE 1
sugarloaf point
lighthouse
the coastal discovery highlights
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse stands on a
dramatic headland at the eastern end of Seal
Rocks village. Completed in 1875, it is the
first lighthouse designed by colonial architect
James Barnet and one of only two towers
in Australia with an external stairway. It
was originally built to guide ships along the
rocky coastline, after a number of incidents,
including the shipwrecking of the SS
Catterthun. This wreck now offers one of the
most exciting dives you’ll encounter.
6
the green
cathedral
Uplift your spirits by visiting the majestic
open air Green Cathedral. A beautifully
unique place with rough timbered pews and
wooden lectern, it is situated under a canopy
of rainforest on the shores of the Wallis Lake.
A walk up to the lighthouse is a definite a
must do on any Great Lakes holiday.
Today the Lighthouse Keepers’ quarters
below the lighthouse have been refurbished
to offer holiday accommodation. Sugarloaf
Point is a top spot for watching whales as
they migrate on their journey along the
coast. You might also be lucky enough to see
dolphins, down on lighthouse beach.
This al-fresco church is regularly used for
weddings, worship, blessing of children,
baptism and funeral services. The Green
Cathedral is located south of Forster along
The Lakes Way at Tiona.
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cellito beach
& sandbar
Just past Pacific Palms is a small dirt road
that winds its way down to Cellito. A
boardwalk then takes you through littoral
rainforest to a viewing platform and there
Cellito Beach stretches before you with its
turquoise blue waters and white sands.
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neranie
On leaving Seal Rocks make a stop at the
picturesque Neranie campground and picnic
area. Right on the shores of the Myall Lakes,
Neranie’s shallow water and designated
swimming zone are ideal for young families.
Neranie is also only a short stroll to nearby
sandy beaches.
14
19
Periodically through the year, large cement
pyramids can be seen protruding from the
waters of Smiths Lakes at Tarbuck Bay. These
strange structures are actually “Tank Traps”
placed here during World War 2 with the
intention of stalling the Japanese Imperial
Army’s movement of vehicles.
The Grandis picnic area just off the Pacific
Highway, north of Bulahdelah, makes a
perfect pit stop. Set among lush coastal
forests it is a short walk to The Grandis, the
tallest tree in NSW. From the boardwalk
gaze up at this magnificent flooded gum
towering above at over 70m.
tank
traps
the
grandis
TOURING DRIVE 1
the coastal discovery
1. Tuncurry
a. Tuncurry’s Nine Mile Beach is pet friendly and
allows four wheel driving. Permits are required
and can be purchased from the Visitor Information
Centre or Great Lakes Council.
This is a lovely picnic ground with toilets and BBQs.
There is access to Seven Mile Beach (not patrolled).
6. The Green Cathedral
1km
Tuncurry to Forster 2.3km
A beautiful outdoor church The Green Cathedral
with Wallis Lake as its backdrop it is a popular spot
for weddings. There is a church service on a Sunday
Morning. Only 100m from the road the Green
Cathedral is a must see.
2. Forster
7. Booti Booti National Park
Main Beach is patrolled in the school holidays and
weekends in the summer months. Located right next
to Main Beach is the ocean baths. Pebbly Beach has
amenities and playground and the Tanks as part of
the bicentennial walk to Bennett’s Head lookout;
from here you can follow the path to the top of the
North One Mile Beach sand dune. The southern end
of One Mile Beach is patrolled during the school
holidays and weekends in the summer. A Kiosk
with amenities is located at the surf club and in
Palmgrove Park you will find covered tables, BBQ’s
and a children’s playground.
Just south of the Green Cathedral is Booti Booti
National Park. This campground provides toilets,
showers and BBQ’s it is also the starting point for
the Booti Booti headland walk, a 7km loop walk
over Booti Hill and returning along the Lakes edge.
Information on the walk can be collected from the
Visitor Centre or call into the Booti Booti office
during business hours to pick up a detailed map.
b. The Rockpool is a great place for swimming you
will find a kiosk and shaded tables and playground.
Forster to Cape Hawke Lookout 8.3km
3. Cape Hawke Lookout
Travel 3.3 km along Cape Hawke Drive, here you
will reach the car park and trail head for the walk
to the lookout. Climb the 200+ stairs to the viewing
platform providing 360 degree views of the area. A
great spot to whale watch the seasonal migration.
Cape Hawke to Pacific Palms approximately 22kms
4. Great Lakes Sailing Club 7.5kms
From the Forster keys roundabout travel south for
7.5km to reach the Great Lakes Sailing Club, part of
the Booti Booti National Park. This is a great spot
for the little ones to swim as it is shallow and sandy
bottomed. You will find under cover tables and
toilets. National Park use fees apply $8.00
5. Santa Barbara Park
2.5km
Just down the road from the Sailing Club is Santa
Barbara, still part of Booti Booti National Park.
8. Sunset Park 500m
4.4km
11. Cellito Beach and Sandbar
2km
Travel approximately 1 km along a dirt road and
when the road forks, veer left to go past a 9 hole golf
course and eventually arrive at the Cellito rainforest
board walk car park. Wind through littoral rainforest
until you reach the unpatrolled beach. If you stay
on the road and travel to the right you will be taken
to the Sandbar Caravan Park and 4wd beach access.
You can purchase a 4wd beach permit from the
Caravan Park if you do not already have one.
12. Smiths Lake
500m
Take the well signposted exit to Smiths Lake, here
you will find a village with a Bowling Club Strip of
shops and if you follow the signs to Frothy coffee, you
will end up at a beautiful reserve with BBQ’s, toilets
and children’s playground on the edge of smiths lake.
You can also hire watercraft from the boatshed.
13. Brambles Reserve Picnic Area 1.5km
Another beautiful part of the Booti Booti National
Park, located on the edge of Wallis Lake. The picnic
tables provide a great spot for viewing the beautiful
hues generated as the sunset reflects off Wallis Lake.
Travel south from the Smiths Lakes turn off and you
will come across the Brambles Reserve picnic area
and boat ramp, here you will also find toilets. If you
look back towards Smiths Lake from here you may
be able to see the tank traps.
9. Pacific Palms
14. Tank Traps
6km
Turn off the Lakes Way and take a loop drive around
Pacific Palms, including Elizabeth Beach, patrolled
in the school holiday and weekends, Boomerang
Beach has great surf breaks and finally Blueys Beach
. There is a strip of shops with restaurants, cafes and
a general store. Continue past the shops and you are
back on the Lakes Way.
Pacific Palms to Seal Rocks turn off at Bungwahl
approximately 13kms
10. Coomba Park
3km
Travel along the Lakes Way to the Coomba Park turn
off, this drive is 21km or 19min each way, making
this a 42km return trip taking about 40 minutes.
This drive provides beautiful glimpses of Wallis
Lake. The small village of Coomba has a boat ramp,
general store. The Aquatic Club has Lake Baths and
a children’s playground.
These are pyramid-shaped concrete blocks at Smiths
Lake and are only visible when the lake is empty.
They were put in position during the Second World
War to stop attacks from enemy amphibious vehicles.
15. Tarbuck bay
500m
There is a small gazebo on the lake side of the road
that provides another great vantage point to view the
tank traps when the lake is low. If you can see a large
expanse of sand from the road to where the water
starts it may be a great opportunity to walk out to
the water’s edge and look back towards the village of
Smiths Lake to view the tank traps.
16. Whoota Whoota Lookout
3.1 km
Turn right onto Sugarcreek road from the Lakes
Way to access the Wallingat National Park. It is a
28km return trip to the lookout, taking just over an
hour. On the way you will find Gur-um-bee picnic
area with covered tables, or further along the Sugar
Creek Picnic area with tables and toilets. The road
to Whoota is unsealed and the condition of the road
should be checked with the NPWS Booti Booti office
6591 0300 before taking if you are in a standard
vehicle. After heavy rain the road may be 4wd only.
17. Seal Rocks
2.3km
Travel south on the Lakes Way through the small
village of Bungwahl, take the right hand turn
signposted to Seal rocks. This is an 11km journey
along a sealed road to the village of Seal Rocks; here
you will find beautiful beaches a general store and
the historic lighthouse. There are no public BBQs at
Seal rocks, but there are public toilets at No1 beach.
18. Neranie
10kms
On your return trip from Seal Rocks take the left
turn at the Fisherman’s Co-op, sign posted as the
Myall Lakes National Park. The road forks; the right
hand side takes you to Hearts Point day-use picnic
area with BBQs, toilets and a boat ramp whilst the
road to the left leads you to the beautiful Little Lake
camp ground. This is a popular spot to swim, great
for small children with shallow water, shade and a
sandy bottom. You will also find BBQs and tables
here. This spot is protected when the North East
summer wind is blowing. Not so nice in a southerly.
Seal Rocks turn off at Bungwahl to Bulahdelah
approximately 30kms.
19. The Grandis
18.2 kms
Back on the Lakes Way travelling south you will find
the turn off to The Grandis, the tallest tree in NSW.
To get to the tree you travel 4.8 km each way along
an unsealed road. Located in the Myall Lakes NP,
The Grandis is a feature not to be missed.
20. Bulahdelah
11.4 kms
Bulahdelah situated in the heart of the Myall Lakes
and has easy access to accommodation, restaurants
and cafes. Bulahdelah Visitor Information Centre
can be found on the corner of Crawford St and the
old Pacific Highway now known as Bulahdelah Way.
Open Monday to Saturday 10-3.