Shores Elizabeth Beach sits between two bodies of water: the Pacific Ocean at Elizabeth Beach and Wallis Lake immediately behind it. Self-contained villas inside Booti Booti National Park, Pacific Palms, roughly 20 minutes from Forster. In February, both waterfronts are at their best.
What Does “Between a Beach and a Lake” Actually Mean Here?
Most places that use the phrase are stretching it. You walk to the beach, and the lake is a map reference twenty minutes in the wrong direction. At Pacific Palms it’s genuine geography. Elizabeth Beach is a Pacific Ocean surf beach on the eastern edge. Wallis Lake sits immediately behind the village, a broad coastal lake connected to the sea near Forster. Shores Elizabeth Beach sits in the middle, and both waterfronts are reachable on foot from the villas.
Ocean mornings. Lake afternoons. The lake is calmer by definition, warmer in summer, and shallow enough near the edges for children to wade. The ocean is open surf, proper Pacific. You don’t choose your holiday style at the start of the week. You choose it each morning by looking out the balcony.
Elizabeth Beach in February: What You’re Actually Getting
Elizabeth Beach is a three-kilometre arc of sand, patrolled near the surf club, backed by native bush rather than the commercial strip you’d find at bigger coastal towns. In late summer the water is warm and the surf consistent, running off a range of swell directions. Families set up near the flags; surfers and more confident swimmers spread toward the northern end.
The Pacific here peaks around 24 to 25 degrees Celsius through late summer. Afternoons hold the light past 7pm, which means there’s time after the beach and before dinner for a walk north along the sand where the bush meets the water and foot traffic thins out. At low tide the rock platform at the northern end is worth a look: proper rock pools, the kind with actual inhabitants.
Wallis Lake: What the Other Waterfront Offers
Wallis Lake is one of the larger coastal lakes in New South Wales, fed by rivers from the hinterland and connected to the ocean near Forster. In February it’s warm and still, substantially calmer than the surf beach, and the light on the water at first light has a quality that catches people off guard. In summer the activity peaks: kayakers, paddleboarders, families with small boats.
From Pacific Palms, the lake is accessible by foot or a short drive. Wallis Lake Fisheries produces oysters from the lake’s waters, and the oysters at restaurants around Forster and Tuncurry come from here. If you’re planning to cook in, picking some up at the Forster markets is worth the trip. Pelicans work the shallower sections. Cormorants sit on stakes in the open water. The lake is where the slower, quieter version of the holiday happens.
Inside Booti Booti National Park
Both Elizabeth Beach and the land around Shores Elizabeth Beach sit inside Booti Booti National Park, which covers the strip of coastal land between the ocean and Wallis Lake. The park boundaries mean the bush behind the beach stays protected. There’s no development behind the dune line, and the walking tracks connecting beach sections to lake access points run through genuine national park.
Booti Booti National Park has several signed walking tracks including the Booti Booti walk, which takes in both ocean and lake lookouts. In February, tracks are best done early before the heat builds. From the villas at Shores, the park walking network is a short walk away.
The national park setting accounts for the wildlife that guests notice without planning for: eastern grey kangaroos at dusk, goannas near the park access points, ringtail and brushtail possums after sunset. The kind of encounter that elsewhere would be a scheduled tour is here part of the ordinary day.
Self-Contained Villas: How the Two-Waterfront Location Actually Works
The practical case for self-contained accommodation makes more sense when the activity runs across a full day and two environments. Shores Elizabeth Beach villas have full kitchens, large balconies and verandahs, a pool, spa, and tennis court. One villa is pet-friendly.
The kitchen earns its keep here: fresh fish from Forster’s fleet, oysters from Wallis Lake, local produce from the farmers markets. February is the right time for it. Late summer fruit, seafood at its best. A villa kitchen at the end of a day that has covered both ocean and lake is the obvious next step.
Our Facilities page has the full overview of what’s on the property, and the Villas page covers the individual configurations in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Wallis Lake from Shores Elizabeth Beach?
Wallis Lake is immediately behind Pacific Palms village, roughly 1 to 2 kilometres from the villas depending on which access point you use. It’s walkable via the village or a short drive to the main lake entry points.
Is Elizabeth Beach patrolled in February?
Yes. Elizabeth Beach has a patrolled section near the surf club. During February, patrols generally run daily through the peak summer period. Check Surf Life Saving NSW for current times before swimming.
Is Elizabeth Beach inside Booti Booti National Park?
Yes. Elizabeth Beach and the surrounding coastal land sit within Booti Booti National Park, which protects the strip between the Pacific Ocean and Wallis Lake. National park entry fees may apply at day use areas.
Can you swim in Wallis Lake?
Yes. Wallis Lake is a popular swimming and paddling destination in summer, calmer than the surf beach and shallow near the edges. Several access points around the lake perimeter suit swimming and non-motorised water activity.
How far is Pacific Palms from Forster?
Approximately 20 minutes south by car. Forster is the nearest town for shops, restaurants, markets, and services, reached via a quiet road through the national park.
What wildlife is around in February?
Eastern grey kangaroos at dusk, goannas on park tracks, pelicans on Wallis Lake, and possums after dark are all common. February is the tail of whale migration season; land-based sightings from Cape Hawke headland near Forster are the most reliable option.
Ready to see availability for a February stay between the beach and the lake? Check availability and villa options at Shores Elizabeth Beach.
The Barrington Coast region has more detail on the area’s national parks, waterways, and things to do across the broader Pacific Palms, Booti Booti, and Wallis Lake region. And if you’d like to understand more about what’s around the property before you arrive, our Explore page covers the local area in more detail.
Image credit: Shores Elizabeth Beach
