A trio of moderately challenging walks at Forster, from Burgess Beach to McBrides Beach and on to Cape Hawke lookout in Booti Booti National Park.
Booti Booti means ‘plenty of honey’ in the Gathang language and is on Worimi country. This coastal walk combines three segments than can be done separately, in a duo or in a trio if you’re fit and keen enough. Tip: If doing all three at once, start at the highest and work your way down.
Booti Booti National Park is one of Forster’s most treasured parks. It’s hard to believe that just over that steep ridge or around that headland is a bustling coastal town offering the best of contemporary beach holidays.
The park in this Forster precinct is very easily accessed by car. Kindly note NPWS entry fees apply, there is no 4WD access and camping is not permitted. As a national park, dogs are not allowed so leave your pooch at home.
And please, always leave a pristine place just how you found it, for the enjoyment of those that follow.
Cape Hawke lookout
The track length in this section is only 500m but be warned… it’s all uphill from the carpark. You’ll trek through thick undergrowth on a winding gravel path with 420 steps as you make your way up 70 metres to the base of the Cape Hawke lookout. Although the walk is graded as moderate, you’ll be pleased to use the rest benches provided along the way. Allow 15-20 minutes each way.
At the base of the lookout there’s a stone marker recording when Captain James Cook gave the cape its European name on 12 May 1770, however the Worimi people know it as Toocaloo.
Save some energy for those last few stairs up another 8 metres and you’ll be rewarded with views in all directions, at 224m above sea level.
Although being diminished a little more each year by tree regrowth, the glittering views northwards are the best views in Forster: Burgess Beach and One Mile Beach, the leafy beachside streets of Forster and Tuncurry’s Nine Mile Beach stretching all the way to Black Head. The large mountain in the distance is North Brother near Laurieton.
To the northwest Wallis Lake languidly embraces islands and inlets and in the distance the Barrington Tops plateau rises to the horizon. This captures our beautiful Barrington Coast destination in one glorious view, from the mountains to the sea!

McBrides Beach
McBrides Beach can’t be seen from the lookout nor the carpark so indulge your curiosity… it’s worth it. Move your car down to the other carpark at the McBrides Beach Track entry point, you’ll be glad afterwards to cut out a few more hundred metres of uphill walking.
The 600m walk down the hillside to the beach is challenging, steep in parts and can be slippery due to leaf cover and permanent moisture. Graded as moderately challenging (NPWS Grade 3) with steep steps, allow about 30 minutes each way. The track takes you through thick undergrowth shaded by towering trees, across trickling creeks in gullies and out into bright sunshine near a small creek-fed lagoon (depending on recent rainfall).
If you ever wanted to feel what it’s like to wash up on a deserted island, then this is the place: rocky coastline to the south, an impenetrable headland to the north and thick coastal rainforest above the broad expanse of sand that appears untouched until the very moment of your arrival. Make sure you’ve brought your own water and provisions for a beach picnic, take a dip, and appreciate the wilderness feel of this place… but so close to town.

Burgess Link Track
Graded as moderate (NPWS Grade 2), this walk through coastal forest takes you across the ridgeline of Booti Booti National Park and down to Burgess Road at Burgess Beach. It’s about 1.5km, so you’ll need to allow a good 30 minutes. If you’ve left your car at the Cape Hawke carpark you’ll need to arrange a pick-up or walk back… uphill all the way.
Booti Booti National Park features a substantial number of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, so be careful where you tread… there may be basking snakes including red-bellies, browns and the occasional harmless diamond python.
At your final destination, descend the steep path to enjoy a well-earned swim at Burgess Beach. Here you can explore the ever-changing rock pools and sandy coves that make this Forster beach one of the most beautiful on the Barrington Coast.
