3 Fabulous Natural Rock Pools On The Barrington Coast, NSW

The Barrington Coast is a ~190 km coastline on the lower mid north coast of New South Wales, blessed with gorgeous beaches (not that unusual in Australia), scenic waterways and waterfalls. It also includes the Great Lakes, Manning Valley, Gloucester and the Barrington Tops plateau. The twin towns of Forster and Tuncurry are the two largest ones in the area, a great base to explore from.

It’s a region where we enjoy returning every year as it’s a great weekend getaway from Sydney, and in this post I’d like to show you our favorite natural rock pools on the Barrington Coast. A protected rock pool is such a perfect place to have fun in the water and observe marine life. I particularly love those which are natural and surrounded by lush coastal forests.

TOP 3 natural rock pools on the Barrington Coast

So we found some magical natural rock pools on the Barrington Coast. One of them is obvious and located along the popular Bicentennial Walk, but the other two are lesser known and also less straightforward to find. Let’s see:

Gentle warning beforehand: tidal rock pools can be unpredictable. Swim with caution, check depth before jumping in, beware of incoming tides, ocean swells, or sharp rocks. Never touch (or step on) marine life – for their safety and yours, because some are poisonous (welcome to Australia!).

The Tank, Forster – best: high tide

The Tank at high tide

The Tank is one of the popular swimming stops along the Bicentennial Walk, but you can also park directly behind it for quick access. One glance at it is enough to figure where the name comes from: a rock wall creates a safe area for swimming and snorkeling.

The Tank is a long natural swimming pool. However, you can only actually swim at high tide, because the water is too shallow for swimming at low tide. Low tide creates perfect conditions for beginner snorkelers to practice though. As the tide is rising, waves start to crash over the rocks – free entertainment for all!

The Tank at low tide

It’s a very well-known rock pool and can get quite busy. But it’s easily accessible, and Pebbly Beach Park just south of it has picnic shelters, electric BBQ and a cool playground.

Burgess Beach rock pools, Forster – best: any time

The Barrington Coast has stunning beaches, but Burgess Beach stands out even from such an amazing crowd. It’s not very long and not a hidden gem either. But it’s still serene enough, is home to insanely picturesque volcanic rock formations and several secret rock pools.

Some of the rock pools come and go with the tide, so it’s always a surprise what you’d find. Our favorite was a shallow tide pool that gets pleasantly warm. Of course, it’s not suitable for swimming, but my son enjoyed playing in it and I used it as a warm jacuzzi. Who would complain about the views?

But I also enjoyed walking among the rocks, finding countless other tidal rock pools, observing the starfish, crabs, anemones and other interesting marine life, or simply the incredible patterns of the volcanic rocks.

We found these rock pools at the northern end of Burgess Beach. Some exist only at high tide, but others appear at low tide. The shallow ones that get disconnected from the ocean at low tide warm up quite quickly. A paradise for kids (and photographers).

McBrides Beach rock pools, Booti Booti National Park – best: any time

We’ve recently discovered McBrides Beach, but we had to realize it’s actually quite a new addition. The steep (and about 600 meters long) walking track that leads down to the beach was completed in 2020. Yes, this means there’s no direct car access, walking is required to reach McBrides Beach. And I recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes (not flip-flops) on the steep terrain through the lovely, dense rainforest.

McBrides Beach is absolutely worth the effort though. Not only is it an insanely picturesque, secluded cove in the shadow of the steep coastal forest, but the southern end of the bay is full of natural rock pools. Some are quite shallow, others are deeper. Some are safe only at low tide, others can be enjoyed at high tide, too. The scene changes with the tide, but the rock formations and tidal pools are amazing any time. The smaller tidal pools look like an aquarium, full of small fish, carbs, starfish or sea snails.

my hand is included for scale, I didn’t touch it

McBrides Beach is one of the quietest ones, I doubt you’ll ever find it busy. But you’ll find it mesmerizing.

Where to stay on the Barrington Coast?

Forster is a straightforward base to explore the Barrington Coast. It’s one of those lovely coastal towns where the attractions are the scenic coastal walks and the stunning beaches. Forster also adds the zigzagging waterways and various islands of Wallis Lake to this.

Hotel Forster is a 4-star hotel directly on the Lakes Way and a short walk from Wallis Lake. It also offers a large outdoor swimming pool for guests.

Forster and Wallis Lake Motel is a 3-star motel with simple, comfortable rooms with a toaster, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, free toiletries and a wardrobe. Some rooms also have a kitchenette with an oven. Forster Beach, the main beach in town, is a 5-minute walk from the motel.

A budget-friendly option is the Tuncurry Motor Lodge, which is located in the twin town of Forster: Tuncurry, on the other side of the channel. It offers rooms with a kitchenette and a bathroom, and some with a patio. Guests can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool and BBQ facilities. Nine Mile Beach is about 15 minutes walk from the lodge.

Camping in Booti Booti National Park

But I have to admit I left my favorite place to stay as the last one, because it requires camping gear: The Ruins campground. In exchange this is the most affordable accommodation option, and quite a treat to those who prefer the close proximity of nature. This campground is located directly behind Seven Mile Beach – which you can reach on a short walk, but the trees and shrubs protect the campsites from the crazy coastal wind.

The Ruins campground is part of Booti Booti National Park, so you need to book it through NSW Parks. It’s more affordable and also more simple than the holiday parks, but it has free electric BBQs, nice picnic shelters and a well-maintained washroom block with hot showers. The only downside of this campground is that the campsites don’t offer much privacy, you’re right next to each other with your fellow campers, because it’s a grassy meadow, with areas separated by markers. But for us the good facilities and the excellent location makes up for this.

When is the best time to enjoy the beaches on the Barrington Coast?

This region remains pleasant for outdoor activities all year, with temperatures between 8°C to 27°C on average. Summers (between December and February) are warm, humid and relatively wet, and if you’d like to go swimming, the ideal time is from November to April, with the hottest days in January and February. Ocean is the warmest at the end of summer.

However, most Australians are not like me and they swim in the ocean all year, so it’s really up to you and your tolerance of cooler water temperatures.