A spectacular backdrop for equally spectacular events... Spring, summer, autumn & winter there's always a feast of fun wherever you go in the Great Lakes. There are walks, festivals, shows, competitions, sporting endeavour & so much more. Weekly markets with beautiful craft & fresh local produce are a leisurely way to spend a Sunday morning.  And for those seeking something more energetic the Great Lakes plays host to some of the most exhilarating adventure & endurance racing you'll ever see.  So whenever you visit there will always be something going on. Just click on the monthly events calendar above to help plan your visit. Or if you're looking for specific event use our event search.  And once you've decided when to visit, you'll need to find somewhere to stay!  Simply click here to search & book accommodation or give us a call on 1800 802 692.

This is a great family day out at a rural show with a full program of ring events, rodeo, pavilion displays, show jumping, dog show, grand parade, children's activities and a fireworks finale. There will be a "Monster Demolition Derby" to raise funds for the Childrens Ward of the Manning Base Hospital. From 7am - 10pm

Great Lakes Advocate and Forster Tuncurry Quota have combined to organise a luncheon to celebrate International Women's Day. People have been invited to nominate women who live in the 2428 postal area and who are an inspiration to others. The winner will be announced at this luncheon and we invite interested people to attend. Tickets are available from either of the two people listed above.

Now in its 18th year, this annual six-a-side soccer competition last year saw 92 teams (both men and women) compete for winners honours.  Regarded as one of the best of its type in NSW, games are quick, exciting and very competitive. Free entertainment provided on the Saturday night. »  read more

Saturday 13th March will be the second race meeting held at the Tuncurry racetrack. It doesn't seem that long ago we had the first ever meeting and the running of the Tuncurry Cup. Come along, put on the glad rags and have a fun day out. The Boxfish Restaurant will be holding a cocktail party on Friday 12th March as a lead up to race day though you will need to be quick to book as this is filling fast. Gates open 11.00am. Food and drink available. No BYO alcohol. Pre-selling tickets 13th Feb - 13th March on Wed - Sat Manning St., Tuncurry and Wharf St.,Forster. Tickets prices for members are $12 and non members $17. Persons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a free bus from the Forster Tuncurry areas.

A great day out for all "Rev-Heads"!  Join us for the 9th Annual Motorfest event featuring hundreds of veteran, vintage, classic & modern cars, trucks and motorcycles. There will be displays and amusements including presentations by the Fire Brigade, Ambulance Service and the Surf Lifesaving Club. A special performance group and the Tea Gardens School Band will be there to entertain; food and drinks available at the local community club stalls, raffles and judging of vehicles. Starts 8.30am and ends approx. 2.30pm.  Public entry is a gold coin donation - with all monies going to local charities.

The Sunshine Hour recommences Tuesday March 16 at the Forster District Baptist Church in Maneela St at 1.45pm. The "Twin Town Rats' will be performing so come and enjoy a sing-a-long. Pastor Iain will bring a message. Everyone welcome. Afternoon Tea will be provided.

Come along for a full day of family fun!  With classic cars, motor bikes & other vehicles on display; live music by Brooke Harvey, market & food stalls, a Rock & Roll Dance and a FREE outdoor movie - American Graffitti!  There's something for everyone! Starts 10am, Dance 6pm, Movie 7pm.  Entry by gold coin donation.

A Dutch Auction will be held at the Golden Ponds Community Hall in aid of Camp Quality with a variety of items from which to choose. A silent auction will be conducted on the day with the major prize being a signed Cronulla Sharks 2008 Team Jumper (valued at $700). Tickets are $5 which includes a Devonshire Tea and 1 book of 10 tickets. Additional books of tickets will be sold on the day. Tickets are available from either of the contact numbers listed above.

This year, let's all make the swtich to a sustainable lifestyle. Earth Hour, Every Hour - 8.30pm Saturday 27 March 2010.

Ever wanted to play Bridge? Enjoy a mental challenge?  Want to keep your brain active?  Looking for entertainment & intelligent card game?  Enjoy friendly competition?  Bridge could be the game for you!  Great Lakes Bridge Club will be running  a 10 week course of lessons. Lessons will be held every Thursday at 1:30pm (2-3 hours), starting on Thur 8 April. Cost is $50 including tuition, reference book and afternoon tea. So come along and try your hand at this world-renowned dementia beater!

Come & watch all the spectacular action at the annual Bulahdelah Hillclimb. Held on the Wootton Way (Old Pacific Highway) - the 1.15km course will see cars racing against the clock in a single car speed event.  This year there are 4 new spectator points.  Food and refreshments available on the day.  Accommodation & Camp Sites available ~ Contact: Al Freihaut 02 6554 8799. Starts 10am.

Multi award winning Club Forster and the Sporties Tuncurry offer members and visitors the very best of Australian & International entertainment.  There's something for everyone! And remember visitors to either Club Forster or Sporties Tuncurry can now apply for a Temporary Members Card! See Reception on arrival to apply for your card - valid for up to 30 days.  »  view monthly events calendar

From bands, to shows, to easy listening in the lounge plus the biggest and best nitespot in the Great Lakes, Tuncurry Bowling Club is the place to be for entertainment. Our magnificent showroom is home to Club 21 every Saturday night. »  view monthly events listing

Located next door to the Visitor Information Centre, this small market focuses on native plants, vege seedlings, fruit & veg, great home made cakes and delicacies, crafts, jewellery & clothing. Plenty of parking available.  Market runs from 8.00am - 1.00pm.

The Blackhead Bazaar is a community market organised and operated by Hallidays Point Tidy Towns Committee. The Bazaar attracts a good mix of stalls selling arts & craft, flowers, bric-a-brac, clothes, fruit & veg, home cooked preserves, jams, pickles, cakes, biscuits, chocolates and gingerbread.  It is especially renown for its large number of plant stalls ranging from specialised palms sales to tube stock and local native plants.  Other attractions include buskers, bouncy castle & pony rides.  A BBQ breakfast runs all morning.   Market runs from 8:30am - 1.00pm.  (nb. markets  September to May only.)

The Rotary Motor Market will be held at the Aldi end of the carpark near Kmart Tyres at Stockland Forster. Bring your car, ute, boat, ride-on or anything that can be sold as ONE item.  This is a market for Big Boys Toys! Sellers $20 - Buyers free.  Market runs from 8am - 1.30pm

Your chance to experience a true-blue coastal market with a veritable array of stalls.  You'll find around 50 stallholders peddling handmade, homegrown and pre-loved wares to holiday makers and locals.  The market more than lives up to its mantra of "homemade, homegrown and home-baked" - with a diverse selection of handmade craft, jewellery, clothing, homewares and art works.  And once you're done browsing and buying why take a stroll down the main street for a morning coffee or brunch in one of the many cafes.  Market runs from 8.00am - 2.00pm

The Great Lakes - Great Produce group, consisting of food producers, restaurateurs, vegetable, fruit and herb growers and local people who are passionate about great food. Their aim is to promote fresh produce grown or made in the Great Lakes, and the neighbouring regions of Gloucester, Greater Taree and beyond. Some of the produce to be found include country style breads, cheeses, coffee, bottled preserves, native and rainforest plants, organically grown and bio-dynamically produced foods.  Market runs from 8.00am - 12noon.

Tea Gardens Village Markets is a new and vibrant market situated in the Village Square of the Myall Quays Shopping Village, in Tea Gardens.  With over 30 stallholders selling crafts, plants, photography, gourmet food, body products, clothing, recycled timber products and jewellery, handmade chocolates there is an abundance of variety to choose from.  When combined with the entertainment on offer, you are guaranteed a great family day out!   (please note there will be additional markets on the 3 April, 5 June & 2 Oct)

This is a popular market located harbour side near the bridge and has the added advantage of being sited from the main street in Tuncurry. This is totally open air with use of the under cover Podium for entertainment.  Many of the stall holders come from the local 'North Coast Region' and sell a diverse range of products, from handmade wooden toys to handmade organic skincare. A good variety of clothing, lots of plants, plenty to suit all tastes.   Also available at the market is face painting and the famous Coastal Patrol BBQ.  Market runs from 8.00am - 2.00pm.  (please note the December Market will be held on the 18th)

Nabiac is a quaint and quiet town just off the Pacific Highway, nestled in the hinterland 15 minutes from Forster. This market is held in one of the most picturesque showgrounds in the state.  Be early for the best pick of the locally grown and produced goodies such as organic vegies, free range eggs, local fruits, chocolates, gingerbread, honey, olives and olive oil, plants, chooks, quail, wine tasting, local crafts, BBQ and an all round social event.  Bring a friend and enjoy an old-fashioned shopping experience. The use of reusable bags and baskets are encouraged. Market runs from 8.00am til 12noon. (please note there will be no December Market)

This is a market with definite atmosphere, you can wander through colourful stalls and peruse the collection of local handmade jewellery, timber carvings, body products, hemp clothing, eco & fair trade products, there's even a Tibetan stall where you can purchase Tibetan prayer flags, affirmation scrolls or a metal singing bowl....  The Palms Market is famous for its great organic foods and coffee. Sample the delicious banana pancakes, whilst sipping on an expresso on the shaded deck overlooking the stalls.  With pony rides and a jumping castle for the kids!  Market runs from 9.00am - 1.00pm (please note there will be no market in March & April's markets will be held on the Sat 4th & Sat 25)

Enjoy a mental challenge?  Want to keep your brain active?  Looking for entertainment & intelligent card game?  Enjoy friendly competition?  The Great Lakes Bridge Club could be the place for you!  Great Lakes Bridge Club hold regular weekly sessions for members and guests. Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays at 1:15pm and Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9am every week.  Cost $4 members & $6 guests. With dinner & bridge from 5:30pm on the 1st Friday of every month. Cost $10 members, $12 guests.

No visit to Forster/Tuncurry is complete without seeing this fabulous Centre.  Forster Arts & Crafts Centre hosts changing monthly exhibitions as well as displaying a large range of art,crafts, ceramics, woodwork and pottery for sale from its members.  There are also classes in many art forms. It is one of the largest community arts and crafts centres in New South Wales.  Open daily from 10am to 4.30pm.  »  read more