Holiday rentals in Tuncurry, New South Wales

Australia’s Great Lakes are a superb tourist destination around three hours’ drive north of Sydney, with the town of Tuncurry offering the gateway to this paradise of waterways and shoreline.

Outdoor activities abound around this beautiful part of Australia, whatever the season, and its popularity with Sydneysiders and visitors from around the world means there is plenty of holiday rentals to choose from.

Plenty more fish in the sea

Tuncurry is joined to its neighbouring town of Forster by a bridge. Tuncurry, first settled in 1875, means “plenty of fish” and that name provides a clue to what visitors to this town can expect. The twin towns share a remarkable stretch of secluded beaches along an unspoiled coastline while the Wallamba River that separates the two towns is blessed with magnificent water-based activities. It’s part of the estuary of Wallis Lake that invites further exploration and fun.

Whether your budget for holiday accommodation in the Tuncurry area stretches from self-contained accommodation to serviced apartments, you’ll find what you’re looking for here and then you are well placed to participate in some of the best fishing, kayaking, water skiing, swimming and surfing that the area has to offer.

The most popular beach on Tuncurry is known as Nine Mile Beach with its surfing particularly well thought of. At its southern end is Tuncurry Rockpool, an enclosed swimming area where families tend to gather to take advantage of its safety and also facilities such as barbecuing and play areas. Walk out to the end of the breakwater and watch dolphins at play.

On the Wallamba River, a number of charters operate fishing trips with bream one of the prime catches for intrepid anglers. Oyster fishing remains one of the mainstays of the local economy. River cruises are another great way to enjoy this picturesque waterway up to Wallis Lake – the cleanest estuarine lake system in New South Wales – where you can spot birds including cormorants, terns, egrets and sea eagles, dolphins, rays and sea turtles, while kangaroos can frequently be glimpsed on shore.

At your convenience

Just outside the town itself is Tuncurry Bicentennial Flora Park where visitors can glimpse around 60 bird and animal species on the walking trail.

In the neighbouring town of Forster, there are a number of art galleries and craft centres that showcase items made locally. The Curtis Collection of Vintage Cars will appeal to more than just petrol heads while one of the area’s most bizarre curios is an original public toilet near the caravan park. Deliberately elaborate in design, the building looks more like a church than a public convenience.

The Great Lakes is also one of Australia’s best wine-producing regions. To sample the local produce, take a tour of the wineries, many of which are very close to Forster. You can even purchase some of the tastiest varieties to sample back at your holiday accommodation.

Northern exposure

The climate on New South Wales’s North Coast is a sub-tropical one. Summers on the coast are hot while the climate inland is considered a sub-humid one with no dry season. During the hottest months of the year from January to March, average daily temperatures reach 30°C while winter brings an average daily temperature of 10°C. Its hot and dry summers and cool, dry winters, allied to its magnificent coastline, makes Tuncurry and the North Coast an appealing destination all year and with excellent availability of holiday rentals, Tuncurry is a great base from which to explore the Great Lakes region.

Getting there

Visitors from the UK heading towards the North Coast of New South Wales will arrive at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport. Sydney is around three hours by car or bus from Tuncurry. There are flight connections to Newcastle with local transport connections onwards to Tuncurry or take a direct flight to Taree, near Forster. Renting a car is a terrific way to see more of this vast continent and with excellent road connections, you’ll find your way to your Tuncurry holiday accommodation easily. More budget-conscious travellers will find regular bus and train connections from Sydney and Newcastle.