Boating on Wallis Lake
At roughly 25 km long and 9 km wide, Wallis Lake is large enough to spend a full day on the water without covering the same stretch twice. Multiple hire operators in Forster offer everything from self-drive BBQ pontoons to kayaks and stand-up paddleboards — no boating licence required for the smaller vessels.
Boat and watercraft hire
Several operators are based in Forster along Little Street and the Forster waterfront, all within easy walking distance of the town centre. Hire options typically include:
- BBQ pontoon boats — the most popular hire option. Self-drive, stable, and suited to groups and families. No boating licence is required if the hire vessel is not capable of reaching 10 knots — most BBQ pontoon hire boats fall into this category, but confirm with your operator on the day. For full NSW recreational boating licence rules, see Transport for NSW.
- Runabout fishing boats — tinnie-style vessels for fishing or exploring. Some operators offer these with basic fishing gear included.
- Kayaks and canoes — single and double kayaks and canoes available from multiple operators. Good for the shallower northern reaches of the lake and the Booti Booti National Park foreshore.
- Stand-up paddleboards (SUP) — calm mornings on the lake make for excellent SUP conditions. Hire boards are available from waterfront operators.
- Aqua trikes / pedal boats — slower-paced watercraft well suited to families with young children.
- Houseboats — for multi-day stays on the water, houseboat hire is available on Wallis Lake. A genuinely different way to experience the region; the lake's sheltered waterways make navigation straightforward. Book well in advance for school holidays.
Book ahead: BBQ boats and houseboats book out weeks in advance during NSW school holidays and long weekends. If your dates are fixed, secure hire before you travel.
Boat ramps
If you're trailering your own vessel, public boat ramps on Wallis Lake are available at the following locations:
- Forster Boat Harbour — a 3-lane ramp giving access to the main lake. Public pontoons and jetties also available.
- Tuncurry (Point Road) — ramp access on the Tuncurry side of the entrance.
- Elizabeth Reserve, Forster Keys — ramp access on the Forster Keys foreshore.
- Pacific Palms Recreation Club — ramp access in the mid-lake area, useful if you're based at Pacific Palms.
- Coomba Park foreshore — ramp access on the southern reach of the lake.
Check current ramp conditions and parking availability locally before launching, particularly during peak periods. Speed restrictions apply in designated zones — obtain current NSW Maritime rules before launching a powered vessel.
Finding current operators
Hire operators on Wallis Lake include boatsheds on Little Street in Forster and the Forster waterfront. Operators active at the time of writing include Aussie Boatshed, Waterline Boathouse, Blue Peter Boatshed and Great Lakes Boat Hire. Availability, pricing and fleets change regularly — verify current operators directly or via the Forster visitor centre (1800 802 692) before booking.
Nearby
Wallis Lake
The full picture on Wallis Lake — fishing, oysters, wildlife and the lake's ecology.
Wallis Lake activities →Whale & Dolphin Watching
Dolphins are sighted daily in the Wallis Lake channel — getting on the water puts you right among them.
Whale & Dolphin Watching →Forster & Tuncurry
All hire operators are based in Forster — the town centre is the starting point for any day on the lake.
Forster & Tuncurry →