From our wild northern beaches to the quiet waters lapping at the bay of Port Stephens, there's a network of cycling trails covering the entire length of the Barrington Coast. Ride just one scenic sector or challenge yourself and do it all!
From Laurieton in the north to Raymond Terrace in the south, the NSW Coast Cycle Trail covers the stunning seaside regions of the Barrington Coast: beaches, lakes, headlands, dunes and forests. The scenic rides suggested here are perfect for short trips around some of our best-known attractions.
Details here are courtesy of The NSW Coast Cycle Trail that connects Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to Victoria’s East Gippsland via Sydney. Where possible, cycle paths and rail trails mentioned here have been incorporated along the route. The aim is to get cyclists away from the busy highways.
Scroll down for more cycling options near Forster, courtesy of NSW National Parks & Wildlife.
Ride just one scenic sector or challenge yourself and do it all!
Laurieton to Harrington
- Distance: 35 km
- Fitness: Easy
- Skill: Unsealed Road (22 km) Laurieton to Crowdy Head
- Traffic: Light, mostly tourist 4 wheel drives
- Grade: undulating with some hills midway through Crowdy Bay National Park. Watch for road corrugations in unsealed section.
www.nswcoastcycle.com/laurieton-harrington
Harrington to Taree
- Distance: 38 km
- Fitness: Easy
- Skill: Easy
- Traffic: town, rural and A1 highway (wide shoulder)
- Grade: flat to undulating
www.nswcoastcycle.com/harrington-taree
Taree to Forster
- Distance: 35 km
- Fitness: Easy
- Skill: A1 highway (wide shoulders) & major rural link road with limited shoulders
- Traffic: Local & Tourist traffic on link road
- Grade: flat to undulating near Forster. Hills at Khappinghat (A1), south of A1 intersection, & Rainbow Flat.
www.nswcoastcycle.com/taree-forster
Forster to Seal Rocks
- Distance: 48 km
- Fitness: Moderate
- Skill: Rural sealed road
- Traffic: Local & tourists
- Grade: mostly flat to undulating Forster to Smith Lake. Hills from Smith Lake to Seal Rocks including a couple of good pinches.
www.nswcoastcycle.com/forster-sealrocks
Seal Rocks to Tea Gardens
- Distance: 58 km
- Fitness: Medium
- Skill: unsealed track
- Traffic: Light
- Grade: Hills near Seal Rocks. Seal Rocks has limited supplies. Graded gravel track from Seal Rocks to Mungo Brush (20 km)
www.nswcoastcycle.com/sealrocks-teagardens
Tea Gardens to Raymond Terrace
- Distance: 61 km
- Fitness: Easy
- Skill: Major rural link roads (limited shoulders) & A1 Highway (wide shoulders)
- Traffic: Commuting
- Grade: undulating. Some hills near Tea Gardens & Ferodale
Other cycling trails near Forster (courtesy of NSW National Parks & Wildlife):
Double Wharf to Whoota lookout cycle loop
For hard yet rewarding mountain biking, Double Wharf to Whoota lookout cycle loop offers scenic views, wildlife and walking in Wallingat National Park, south of Forster. Free park entry.
- Distance: 13 km loop
- Time: 3 hours
- Grade: Hard
- Where: Wallingat National Park
Double Wharf to Whoota lookout cycle loop
Double Wharf trail
Experience the scenic waterways and mountainous forests of Wallingat National Park along Double Wharf trail – perfect for walking or mountain bike riding. Free park entry.
- Distance: 5 km one-way
- Time: 1.5 hours
- Grade: Easy
- Where: Wallingat National Park
Mining Road to Old Gibber Road cycling trail
Mining Road to Old Gibber Road cycling trail is an easy bike ride within Myall Lakes National Park. You can complete the ride in one day or take your tent to camp overnight. Park entry fees apply.
- Distance: 20 km one way
- Time: 6 hrs
- Grade: Easy
- Where: Myall Lakes National Park
Mining Road to Old Gibber Road cycling trail
Southern Boundary trail
Southern Boundary trail offers a moderately-challenging mountain biking route through Wallingat National Park’s lush forests, beginning and ending at a picnic area. Free park entry.
- Distance: 6.5 km loop
- Time: 1 hour
- Grade: Medium
- Where: Wallingat National Park
Wallingat Forest drive
The 25 km loop of Wallingat Forest drive is on unsealed roads that meander through forests, and excellent for cars, 4WDs, bicycles, walking and horse riding. Free park entry.
- Distance: 25 km loop
- Time: 7 hours
- Grade: Easy
- Where: Wallingat National Park