Forster 9433-4S Topographic Map 1:25,000

Detailed NSW Barrington Coast Topographic Mapping | Forster, Wallis Lake, Cape Hawke, One Mile Beach, Burgess Beach & Booti Booti National Park | Paper, Waterproof Tyvek® & Laminated

🏞️ Explore the Beaches, Coastal Headlands and Waterways of Forster

Discover the sparkling coastal waterways, golden beaches, rocky headlands and sheltered forests of the New South Wales Barrington Coast with the Forster 9433-4S Topographic Map, sourced from the official NSW Spatial Services Topographic Map Series.

Covering Forster and its surrounding coastal landscapes, this detailed map provides an excellent geographical reference for bushwalkers, coastal explorers, environmental scientists, urban planners, surveyors, engineers and emergency services.

The Forster district occupies a remarkable position where the extensive waters of Wallis Lake meet the Tasman Sea. Together with neighbouring Tuncurry, Forster forms an important coastal centre renowned for its beaches, fishing, boating, tourism and natural landscapes.

The map provides detailed coverage of Forster, One Mile Beach, Burgess Beach, Cape Hawke, Pipers Bay, Pipers Creek and the northern section of Booti Booti National Park.

The township of Forster extends across gently undulating coastal country between the ocean and Wallis Lake. Residential neighbourhoods, urban roads, parklands and recreational facilities occupy a landscape shaped by sandy coastal deposits and low wooded hills.

One of the district's defining geographical features is Wallis Lake, a large coastal lagoon covering approximately 99 square kilometres.

The lake supports important aquatic habitats, extensive seagrass beds and a renowned oyster-growing industry. Its waterways are fed by several river systems, including the Wallamba, Coolongolook and Wallingat rivers.

Near Forster, the lake narrows towards the entrance channel between Forster and Tuncurry, where tidal flows connect the sheltered estuary with the Pacific Ocean.

The Forster–Tuncurry Bridge is an important geographical landmark, linking the two towns across the lake entrance.

Along the ocean coastline, Forster Main Beach and Pebbly Beach occupy attractive settings close to the town centre, bordered by rocky coastal features and developed parklands.

Farther south, One Mile Beach extends beneath a steep coastal sand dune, while Burgess Beach occupies a smaller embayment framed by rocky headlands.

These beaches offer fascinating examples of coastal processes, where waves, wind, erosion and sediment transport continually shape the shoreline.

One of the sheet's most prominent natural landmarks is Cape Hawke, a forested headland rising above the surrounding coast.

The cape forms the northern section of Booti Booti National Park, a protected coastal landscape encompassing native forests, littoral rainforest, heathland and rocky shoreline habitats.

The Cape Hawke Lookout walking track climbs approximately 500 metres through regenerating coastal rainforest to an elevated observation tower. From the lookout, visitors enjoy panoramic views across Forster, Wallis Lake, Booti Booti National Park and the Pacific Ocean.

The surrounding headland contains steep forested slopes, narrow ridgelines and sheltered gullies that contrast sharply with the comparatively level urban landscape nearby.

West of Cape Hawke, Pipers Bay and Pipers Creek form part of the Wallis Lake catchment, where sheltered waters and low-lying land create another distinctive coastal environment.

The southern part of the sheet also includes the northern approaches to Booti Booti National Park, while the wider Pacific Palms and Seven Mile Beach districts extend onto neighbouring mapping sheets.

The waters offshore form part of the Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park, protecting significant marine habitats and coastal ecosystems.

The district is part of the traditional Country of the Worimi people, whose continuing cultural connection to the coastline, lakes and surrounding landscape remains an important part of its heritage.

At 1:25,000 scale (1cm = 250 metres), the map provides detailed contours, waterways, roads, tracks, vegetation, buildings and geographical reference information.

Whether you're exploring Forster's beaches, studying coastal landforms, investigating urban infrastructure or undertaking professional fieldwork, the Forster topographic map provides an excellent geographical reference.

Professionally printed by Mapworld and available in paper, waterproof DuPont™ Tyvek® and laminated finishes.

🗺️ Map Content & Features

The Forster topographic map includes:

• Contours & Elevation – Detailed terrain information showing coastal headlands, steep forested slopes, dunes, low urban hills, narrow ridgelines, spurs, saddles and gullies.

• Rivers & Waterways – Wallis Lake, Pipers Bay, Pipers Creek, tidal channels, coastal drainage systems and mapped waterways.

• Roads & Tracks – The Lakes Way, Forster township streets, Cape Hawke Drive, coastal access roads, national park walking tracks and recorded management trails.

• Buildings & Infrastructure – Selected residential and commercial buildings, bridges, roads, public facilities, recreational infrastructure and geographical reference points.

• Vegetation & Landforms – Coastal rainforest, native eucalypt forest, sandy beaches, rocky headlands, coastal dunes, lake shorelines and urban parklands.

• Place Names & Landmarks – Forster, Cape Hawke, One Mile Beach, Burgess Beach, Pipers Bay, named coastal features and surrounding geographical landmarks.

• Grid References – Coordinates and geographical reference information for map-and-compass navigation, GPS interpretation, surveying and professional fieldwork.

🧭 Format & Material Options

To suit a range of field and display needs, this map is available in multiple durable and practical formats:

🧾 Standard Paper (Folded or Flat)

• Traditional option for lightweight use, archival storage, and indoor reference

• Suitable for framing, classrooms, or desktop use

💧 Waterproof / Tearproof Tyvek®

• Made from 100% polyethylene fibres, Tyvek® has the appearance of paper but is water-resistant, tear-resistant, and flexible

• Ideal for backpackers, bushwalkers, rangers, and search and rescue teams

• Can be folded or rolled repeatedly without damage

• Withstands snow, rain, mud, and UV exposure

🛡️ Laminated (Encapsulated)

• Fully sealed between two sheets of 80-micron gloss laminate

• Dry-erase compatible: Write temporary notes with a whiteboard marker and wipe clean

• Use Mark-It-Dots to highlight key coordinates, routes, or activity zones

• Excellent for field planning, vehicle dashboards, workshops, classrooms, and incident control centres

📐 Map Specifications

🎯 Ideal For

• Bushwalkers & Coastal Explorers – Detailed terrain information for exploring Cape Hawke, beaches, coastal rainforest and recorded walking tracks.

• Environmental Scientists & Ecologists – Mapping for Wallis Lake catchment studies, coastal vegetation surveys, estuarine habitat monitoring and biodiversity research.

• Coastal & Catchment Managers – Geographical information for understanding lake shorelines, tidal waterways, coastal erosion, drainage patterns and protected environments.

• Urban Planners & Property Professionals – Terrain and infrastructure mapping for preliminary land-use assessment, transport planning and local development studies.

• Surveyors & Civil Engineers – Detailed reference for preliminary site investigations, drainage assessments, coastal infrastructure studies and professional fieldwork.

• Emergency Services – Geographical information for coastal incidents, bushfire response, flooding, urban emergencies and search-and-rescue operations.

• Geography Students & Educators – Explore the relationship between beaches, headlands, coastal lakes, dunes, urban settlement and national parks.

• Campers & Outdoor Enthusiasts – Understand the geographical setting of nearby beaches, lake access, walking routes and national park destinations.

• Local Historians & Researchers – Examine how Forster's settlement, transport infrastructure, fishing industry and coastal tourism developed within its natural landscape.

📍 Official NSW Mapping Source

This map forms part of the NSW Spatial Services Topographic Map Series, providing authoritative geographical information about natural and built features across New South Wales.

The series includes elevation contours, waterways, roads, tracks, vegetation, buildings, geographical features, place names and coordinate references.

View the Official NSW Spatial Services Topographic Map Viewer

For current national park access, walking conditions, closures and visitor information, consult Booti Booti National Park – NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

For information about the lookout walking route and access conditions, consult Cape Hawke Lookout.

For local roads, development, floodplain planning and coastal management, consult MidCoast Council.

For marine conservation, permitted activities and protected waterways, consult Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park.

The Forster district contains surf beaches, rocky headlands, estuarine waterways, coastal slopes and urban areas subject to changing conditions. Strong surf, rip currents and slippery rock platforms may create hazards, while heavy rainfall can affect low-lying roads and drainage systems. Steep walking tracks around Cape Hawke require suitable footwear and care, particularly after rain. National park access may be restricted by bushfires, storm damage or maintenance works. Always check current park alerts, surf conditions, weather forecasts and local road information before travelling. Topographic maps are not substitutes for nautical charts, official coastal hazard assessments, cadastral surveys or current emergency advice.

🌏 Explore More with Mapworld

Discover our complete collection of NSW 1:25,000 Topographic Maps, providing detailed geographical coverage across New South Wales and adjoining regions.

For practical advice on interpreting contour lines, understanding grid references, recognising coastal landforms and navigating Australian landscapes, explore our guide to How to Read a Topographic Map in Australia.

For additional geographical coverage immediately north of Forster, the adjoining Hallidays Point 9433-4N Topographic Map provides a companion sheet covering the adjoining northern coastline and settlements.

For additional regional coverage to the west and southwest, the Seal Rocks 9433-3S Topographic Map provides mapping of the southern Great Lakes landscape.

For further coverage of the wider Wallis Lake and Pacific Palms region, the Pacific Palms 9433-3N Topographic Map provides a useful additional regional reference.

Use the Official NSW Spatial Services Topographic Map Viewer to identify further adjoining sheets for extended coastal exploration and professional fieldwork.

Professionally printed by Mapworld, the Forster 9433-4S Topographic Map combines authoritative NSW Spatial Services mapping with premium material options, making it an excellent resource for coastal exploration, urban planning, conservation management, environmental research, surveying, geography education and professional fieldwork.