The Lakes Way on NSW’s Barrington Coast delivers a weekend full of golden beaches, tranquil lakes, and sweeping lookouts, all whilst cruising past national park after national park. The summer weekend road trip of your dreams!

 

We acknowledge that this adventure is located on Biripi and Worimi Nations, the traditional Countries of the Biripi and Worimi people who have occupied and cared for these lands and waters for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

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Quick Facts The Lakes Way Road Trip

Distance Driven: 145km
Time Driving: 3 hours
Days Taken: 2 days

If you include the drive to and from Sydney distance and driving time increase:

Distance Driven: 716km
Time Driving: 9 hours 15 minutes
Days Taken: 2 days

About The Lakes Way Road Trip

The Lakes Way kicks off in a small rural area of the Mid-North Coast of NSW and winds its way along stunning coastline and lakeside before curving inland again towards countryside and bushland. It takes around three hours to drive from Sydney to the start of The Lakes Way, but from there expect an easy scenic drive with plenty of time spent outside the car relaxing and exploring.

Expect to see plenty of phenomenal coastal views as you stop for chippy breaks at some amazing restaurants and cafes along the way. And you absolutely must go for a dip, surf, or paddle along Barrington’s beautiful waterways. There’s so much to see and do, and you can curate the activities to make it suit you!

Love a road trip? Check out our full list of road trips and adventure itineraries across Australia!

How to Get to The Lakes Way Road Trip

Start and End Points

It takes around three hours to get to the start of The Lakes Way from Sydney. To maximise your time exploring, it’s recommended that you either leave on Friday night and stay in Tuncurry or Forster, or you leave early on Saturday morning. Either way, with so much to do you can expect to arrive back in Sydney on Sunday night.

The Lakes Way is a loop-shaped road that starts and finishes at the Pacific Highway, so you also have the option of doing this road trip in reverse.

 

Essential Gear

  • Swimmers
  • Towel
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Hat
  • Surfboard
  • Snorkel, goggles, and fins
  • SUP board/kayak/canoe
  • Camera for capturing those epic beauty spots
  • Snacks for the road
  • Tent and camping equipment (if you’re camping overnight)

Read more: Remember to leave no trace!

What It’s Like to Drive The Lakes Way Road Trip

Day 1 – Tuncurry to Booti Booti National Park

Distance driven: 53km
Duration: 1 hour

Tuncurry and Forster

Your journey begins at the northern end of The Lakes Way, where you’ll spend a chill 20 minutes winding through countryside towards the coastal town of Tuncurry. If the day’s already heating up, a quick cool off in the Tuncurry Rock Pool should be on the cards.

When you’re ready, hop back in the car and take the curving bridge over Coolongolook River (Instaworthy in its own right) to Tuncurry’s larger neighbouring town Forster.

Forster has a handful of beaches and swimming spots to choose from, including family-friendly Forster Main Beach and Pebbly Beach, both of which you can view from Second Head Lookout on Bicentennial Walk.

 

The Lakes Way Road Trip on the Barrington Coast - Nicole Banks, Pebbly Beach

 

After a morning of sand, surf, and soaking in Tuncurry Rock Pool, you should be feeling ready for lunch. Beach Bums Café is right by Forster Main Beach and offers a tempting range of classic seafood, salads, burgers, and chips. If that doesn’t take your fancy, pop back into town and take your pick of restaurants.

Before you take off, drop by the local supermarket to grab supplies for a picnic dinner (more on that later) and for tomorrow’s brekkie.

Read more: Camping Meals: 19 Recipes to Make Camp Cooking a Breeze

Cape Hawke Lookout

From Forster, it’s not long before you’ll hit Booti Booti National Park, a small but spectacularly placed stretch of rainforest and coastline pinned between Wallis Lake and the Pacific Ocean. The name comes from the word ‘butibuti’ which means ‘plenty of honey’ in the language of the local Worimi People.

Right at the northern tip of the national park you’ll find Cape Hawke Lookout, a worthwhile stop off to take in some impressive 360° views of the surrounding area. Once you’ve parked up, coat yourself generously in Aerogard (the mozzies are pretty full on here, even during the day) then take the stairs for a short 500m hike up to the 8.4m high viewing tower. You might spot a couple of brush turkeys scratching around along the way.

 

The Lakes Way Road Trip on the Barrington Coast - Nicole Banks, Cape Hawke, Headland

Nearby Accommodation

The Green Cathedral

Continue your journey along The Lakes Way, down the narrow peninsula of Boot Booti National Park. After about 10-15 minutes, keep your eyes peeled for a sign on the right marking the entry to the Green Cathedral.

This isn’t like any church you’ve ever been to before. A short path bordered by towering palms leads to the Cathedral, where you can take a seat on one of the log benches and look out over the serenely calm waters of Wallis Lake. Anyone is welcome to drop in and look around.

 

 Wallis Lake

Dedicate the rest of the afternoon to getting amongst it at Wallis Lake. Its pristine waters are a fantastic place to swim, fish or paddle and if you’re visiting during summer, you might be lucky enough to spot a resident dolphin, ray or turtle. Now’s definitely the time to pull out that SUP board, canoe or kayak if you’ve brought one along.

Read more: Essential Kit For A Weekend Kayaking Adventure

 

The Lakes Way Road Trip on the Barrington Coast - Nicole Banks, Wallis Lake

Sunset Park

Just a few minutes down the road from the Green Cathedral you’ll find Sunset Park picnic area, the perfect spot to tuck into that picnic dinner you bought earlier. It’s called Sunset Park for a reason, so try to arrive a little before the sun goes down to experience the amazing colours of the sky reflected upon Wallis Lake.

For a place to set up camp for the night, The Ruins campground and picnic area offer unpowered sites and amenities within Booti Booti National Park. If you haven’t brought a tent, Tiona Holiday Park also offers a range of glamping and cabin options. Both sites are only a four-minute drive from Sunset Park and are bordered by Wallis Lake and Seven Mile Beach. Make sure you book your site in advance.

Read more: Glamping: Enticing or Insulting?

Day 2 – Booti Booti National Park to The Grandis

Distance driven: 92km
Duration: 2hr

Pacific Palms

The next morning, take a slight diversion along the loop of Lakeside Crescent and Boomerang Drive to check out what the coastal locality of Pacific Palms has to offer. In a word: beaches, lots of ‘em.

You’ve got your pick at Pacific Palms, with Elizabeth, Shelly, Boomerang, and Blueys Beaches all great options for those wanting to chill out on the sand. To make your decision a little easier, choose Elizabeth Beach if you’re travelling with your family (it has calmer surf and is the only Pacific Palms beach that’s patrolled in summer), go to Shelly Beach for some great snorkelling (if you don’t mind the unofficial ‘clothing optional’ aspect) and for those looking to surf, Boomerang or Blueys are your best bet.

Pacific Palms has a few good takeaways for lunch near Blueys Beach, like Drift Café, which offers large tasty burgers and mountains of chips that are sure to fill you up (though you might struggle to find a table).

Featured Event

Belangoloopy – Paddy Pallin Intro Rogain

  • Start Date: Jun 15, 2025
  • Venue: Belanglo State Forest

Come enjoy a classic 6 hour Paddy Pallin rogaine that is only a short drive from Sydney or Canberra! We’ll be using our navigation skills to explore stunning native forest. There will be plenty of route options for all ages,...

See Event Details See More Events
Belangoloopy – Paddy Pallin Intro Rogain, NSW Rogaining

Seal Rocks

As you start heading west, Wallingat National Park and Whoota Whoota Lookout offer a tempting detour to your right, while Smiths Lake and the Myall Lakes National Park beckon from your left, inviting you to take a splash or a paddle.

If it’s more beaches you’re after, take a detour left down Seal Rocks Road. Follow it for about 10 minutes or so until you reach Number One Beach and judge for yourself whether you think it’s worthy of the title. Then continue on to Boat Beach, where you may spot a few van-lifers enjoying the sea breeze from the open backdoors of their campervans.

Read more: What I’ve Learnt From 6 Months of Full Time #Vanlife

 

 

Before you head back up Seal Rocks Road to The Lakes Way, make sure you stop by Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse. It’s quite a steep walk up the hill, but you’ll be glad you made the effort once you take in the awesome views over Lighthouse Beach and the rocks of Sugarloaf Point.

 

The Lakes Way Road Trip on the Barrington Coast - Nicole Banks, Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse

The Grandis

Your final stop of the trip is The Grandis: the tallest known tree in NSW. To get there, turn right onto Stoney Creek Road – this road is bumpy and unsealed so allow yourself plenty of time if your car is 2WD.

The Grandis won’t disappoint, as you crane your neck at what looks like an infinite white pillar towering above you. But it’ll be the peaceful silence of its lush surroundings that’ll be hardest to leave behind.

 

The Lakes Way Road Trip on the Barrington Coast - Nicole Banks, gum tree, The Grandis

FAQs The Lakes Way Road Trip

How long is The Lakes Way Road Trip?

The drive is 145km long, but if you include the drive to and from Sydney it’s 716km.

What’s the best direction to drive The Lakes Way Road Trip?

The road trip is a loop so you can enjoy it from either direction. We reckon they’re equally nice!

What do you need if you’re doing a road trip with your dog?

If you’re road-tripping with your furry pal the most important thing to take note of is that dogs aren’t allowed in national parks. Always check to make sure it’s safe for your doggo to attend, including at beaches and public areas. In terms of what you need to take, check out this ultimate guide to everything you need to go road-tripping with your dog.

More Great Road Trips in NSW

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