Booti Booti National Park sits on a stunning 8 km peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and Wallis Lake on the NSW Mid North Coast. The park's north-facing Elizabeth Beach and secluded McBrides Beach (set below Cape Hawke's rugged cliffs) offer clear, calm waters ideal for snorkeling around offshore reefs. This narrow strip of coastal rainforest, sand, and headlands — named from the Worimi word "butibuti" meaning "plenty of honey" — delivers easy shore-entry snorkeling at Elizabeth Beach and more adventurous reef exploration at McBrides Beach, all within minutes of Forster.
Booti Booti National Park beaches
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Wave Height 0.6 mSwell Period 7.2 sWind Speed 9.8 knPrecipitation 0.1 mmTidal Phase slack
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
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Moderate risk: Rip currents at surf beaches
Elizabeth and McBrides beaches can develop strong rips, especially during southerly swells. Swim between the flags when lifeguards are present.
Low risk: Offshore reef rocks at McBrides Beach
Sharp reef platforms lie just offshore at McBrides Beach. Snorkelers should wear reef shoes and watch for surge around rocks.
Low risk: Bluebottle jellyfish
Bluebottles (Portuguese man o' war) can appear on ocean beaches during north-easterly winds, typically in warmer months.
Low risk: Steep track to McBrides Beach
Access to McBrides Beach is via a 600 m walking track with a 25-minute descent. Carrying snorkel gear requires care on the return uphill.
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Gallery
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Booti Booti National Park is located about 10 minutes south of Forster on the NSW Mid North Coast. From Forster, take the Lakes Way south past Wallis Lake. For Elizabeth Beach, turn off at Pacific Palms and follow Elizabeth Beach Drive to the car park. For McBrides Beach, park at the McBrides Beach walking track carpark on Booti Hill Road.
Parking & facilities
Elizabeth Beach has a large sealed car park (park entry fee applies). McBrides Beach has a smaller gravel carpark at the trailhead on Booti Hill Road. Both can fill up on summer weekends and public holidays.
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Park entry fee: $8 per vehicle per day (as of 2025). Pay via the Park'nPay app or at the Manning Great Lakes Area Office. Annual passes are also available.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
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- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports