Tuncurry Rock Pool is a netted swimming enclosure tucked between the breakwalls at the mouth of Wallis Lake, with calm water, a cafe and a playground close by. It's free and a favourite with Forster-Tuncurry families who want ocean-fed water without the surf.
Key facts
- Type
- Rock pool
- Good to know
- Toilets, Parking, Cafe nearby
- Facilities and access
- Cafe, playground, toilets, barbecues, car park nearby; unsupervised
- Cost
- Free
- Lifeguards
- No
- Best time to go
- Calm days around high tide
- Town
- Tuncurry, NSW
What it's like
Nobody designed this as a pool. The rock walls were built to stop swell surging into the harbour, and locals quickly worked out that the calm water behind them made a fine place to swim. A shark net separates swimmers from the busy boating channel, and the water is clear and gentle most days. Watching the boats and pelicans come and go through the entrance is part of the entertainment.
When to go
Calm days around high tide give the best swim. The net is repaired and replaced from time to time, so the pool closes occasionally for that work.
Getting there and facilities
The pool is at the Tuncurry end of the Wallis Lake entrance, just across the bridge from Forster. There's a car park, cafe, playground, toilets and barbecues close by.
Good to know
It's unsupervised, and the net is no substitute for keeping an eye on children. Currents run strongly near the southern edge, and big waves can wash over the north-eastern corner.