A historic pub that has anchored the streets of Forster since 1872, the Lakes and Ocean Hotel sits between Wallis Lake and the main beach, offering a bistro, sports bar, and 15 modern ensuite rooms. This article dives into its location, menu, room prices, and guest reviews, drawing on official site details and verified OTA data so you can decide whether it fits your trip to the New South Wales coast. The hotel has operated as a hospitality venue for over 150 years, according to its official website.
Last checked: 2026-08-15
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Location: 10 Little Street, Forster NSW 2428, Australia · Type: Pub accommodation, bistro, sports bar · Key feature: Overlooks Wallis Lake, short walk to Forster main beach · Contact: (02) 6554 6005
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-08-15.
Sources reviewed: official property website, TripAdvisor listings (English, Thai, Chinese, Arabic), Booking.com, Kayak, Expedia, Hotels.com, Goibibo, AU Hotels directory.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification beyond published sources.
Snapshot: Lakes and Ocean Hotel
- 10 Little Street, Forster NSW 2428, Australia (TripAdvisor)
- Operating as a hospitality venue for over 150 years (Official site)
- 8.2/10 on Expedia (“Very good”) (Expedia)
- 15 rooms, 3-star property (Booking.com)
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | 10 Little Street, Forster NSW 2428, Australia |
| Type | Pub accommodation, bistro, sports bar |
| Key feature | Overlooks Wallis Lake, short walk to Forster main beach |
| Contact | (02) 6554 6005 |
| Star rating | 3-star hotel |
| Number of rooms | 15 rooms |
| Check-in / Check-out | 2:00 pm / 10:00 am |
| On-site dining | Two restaurants: Restaurant and Lakes and Ocean Bistro |
| Standard room price range | US$70–US$141 (TripAdvisor average) |
| Average weeknight rate | US$83 (Kayak) |
| Average weekend rate | US$87 (Kayak) |
| Distance to nearest beach | Approximately 1,300 feet |
Lakes and Ocean Hotel Forster: Location and Overview
The hotel occupies a two-level corner building at 10 Little Street in Forster’s central business district, with the Coolongolook River running behind it and Wallis Lake visible from its accommodation wing. The official site describes it as a modern pub-style venue with views over the lake and direct walking access to the main beach. Forster Beach is approximately 1,300 feet from the hotel, according to Booking.com.
Untimed on-street parking is available near the property, a practical detail noted on the official accommodation page. The hotel’s position — between a lake and the Pacific Ocean — grounds its identity and gives guests two very different waterfront options within a short stroll.
Lakes and Ocean Hotel Menu and Dining
Booking.com lists two on-site restaurants: a general “Restaurant” and the “Lakes and Ocean Bistro.” The official website highlights a new bistro menu, suggesting a recent refresh of the food offering. The bistro serves lunch and dinner daily, alongside a sports bar with TAB facilities and a beer garden overlooking the river, as detailed on the accommodation page.
Specific menu items and portion sizes are not published in the sources reviewed, but the hotel markets AU$13 lunch specials and a cocktail special priced at AU$15. The bistro operates alongside a coffee shop, also noted on the property listing.
One Arabic-language TripAdvisor review described the stay as good but the price as very high, a rare qualitative food-or-value complaint against otherwise mid-range sentiment. Across OTAs, guests generally note the convenience of on-site dining without much commentary on menu depth or pricing.
The implication: the bistro is positioned as a convenience amenity rather than a destination dining draw, which fits the hotel’s pub-accommodation model.
Lakes and Ocean Hotel Reviews and Ratings
Expedia rates the property 8.2 out of 10 (“Very good”) based on verified guest stays. TripAdvisor suggests a consistent price range of US$70–US$141 for standard rooms, with the Chinese-language listing indicating an upper bound of US$188 — likely reflecting currency conversion and dynamic pricing rather than fundamental rate differences.
On Kayak, average weeknight rates sit at US$83 and weekend nights at US$87, confirming budget-to-midscale positioning. The hotel ranks as the #2 specialty hotel out of 2 in Forster on TripAdvisor, underscoring its small-scale nature.
Based on available reviews across booking platforms, guests most frequently mention room comfort, location, and overall value, with less detailed commentary on food. One Arabic-language review described the price as high relative to expectations, but this appears to be an outlier.
“The stay was good, but the price was very high.”
— Arabic-language TripAdvisor reviewer
The pattern: positive consensus on location and convenience, with price sensitivity varying by guest origin and booking channel.
Lakes and Ocean Hotel Photos and Visuals
The hotel maintains an active Instagram presence at @lakesandoceanhotel, featuring bistro dishes, beer garden scenes, and room interiors. The official website also includes a gallery showing the Wallis Lake view from guest rooms and the updated bistro seating area.
For the most current imagery, TripAdvisor hosts a photo collection uploaded by guests, including room shots, food plates, and exterior views. Booking.com and Expedia each carry verified guest photos alongside the official set.
The trade-off: online visuals emphasise the lake view and bistro refresh, but some guest photos show dated furniture in older room categories — worth reviewing before booking a specific room type.
Pros and Cons of Staying at Lakes and Ocean Hotel
Pros
- Prime location between Wallis Lake and Forster Beach
- On-site bistro and coffee shop — no need to leave for meals
- Untimed free parking on nearby streets
- Historic venue with over 150 years of operation
- Direct booking discount: 10% off standard rate
Cons
- Only 15 rooms — limited availability in peak season
- 3-star rating means basic amenities; no pool or gym
- Weekend rates (US$87) slightly higher than weeknights
- Guest reviews occasionally cite noise from the pub below
- Limited food menu depth — no extensive dinner menu published
Pricing: What to Expect
Based on data from multiple OTAs in 2025–2026, the Lakes and Ocean Hotel falls into the budget-to-midscale band for Forster accommodation.
| Price metric | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard room range | US$70–US$141 | TripAdvisor |
| Avg weeknight | US$83 | Kayak |
| Avg weekend night | US$87 | Kayak |
| Direct booking discount | 10% off standard rate | Official site |
| Cocktail special | AU$15 | Official site |
| Lunch special | AU$13 | Official site |
| Upper bound on Chinese TripAdvisor | US$188 | TripAdvisor (CN) |
The bottom line: room rates cluster around US$80 per night, with the direct booking discount bringing that closer to US$72. The AU$13 lunch special makes the bistro a low-cost dining option relative to nearby standalone restaurants.
Location and Getting There
The property sits at 10 Little Street in Forster’s CBD, within the Great Lakes Council area of New South Wales. Newcastle Airport is approximately 130 kilometres south; Sydney Airport is about 320 kilometres south via the Pacific Highway.
From the town centre, the hotel is a 2-minute walk to the main shopping strip and a 5-minute walk to Forster Beach. The official site notes proximity to Second Head lookout and the Wallis Lake foreshore walking track.
Guests arriving by car will find untimed on-street parking on Little Street and surrounding blocks, as stated on the accommodation page. There is no dedicated off-street parking lot.
Alternatives Near Forster
If the Lakes and Ocean Hotel doesn’t suit your needs, several nearby options offer different price points and amenity profiles:
- Forster Lakes Holiday Park — Self-contained cabins and caravan sites on the lakefront, ideal for families who want more space.
- Beachcomber Holiday Apartments — Apartment-style accommodation near Forster Beach, with full kitchens and swimming pool; higher nightly rate than the hotel.
- Ocean Lakes Family Campground (South Carolina) — A US-based oceanfront campground with its own Camptown Center offering groceries, snacks, and entertainment — a different accommodation model but a comparable lakes-and-ocean setting.
The trade-off: each alternative trades the pub’s convenience (on-site bistro, sports bar, historic character) for different strengths — space, kitchen access, or a more resort-like environment.
Our Pick: Who Should Book the Lakes and Ocean Hotel
Based on the research, this hotel suits three reader types best:
- Travellers seeking affordable lake-view accommodation — the direct booking discount brings rates to about US$72 per night, among the lowest in Forster for a waterfront room.
- Diners interested in bistro specials — the AU$13 lunch specials and AU$15 cocktails make the bistro a low-cost dining option.
- Bar-goers looking for late-night drinks and events — the sports bar with TAB facilities and live events makes it a social hub.
For travellers who prioritise kitchen access, a pool, or resort-style amenities, the alternatives listed above would better fit. But for a budget-conscious stay that puts you steps from both lake and ocean, with a pub and bistro downstairs, the Lakes and Ocean Hotel delivers what its name promises.
trivago.com.au, th.tripadvisor.com, tripadvisor.com, hotels.com, ar.tripadvisor.com, lakesandoceanforster.au-hotels.net, cn.tripadvisor.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the address of Lakes and Ocean Hotel?
10 Little Street, Forster NSW 2428, Australia. Confirmed on TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and the official site.
Does the hotel offer a discount for booking direct?
Yes, 10% off the standard rate when booking through the official website, as stated on the accommodation page.
What entertainment is available at the hotel?
The sports bar features TAB facilities and hosts live events. Details are available on the official website and via the hotel’s social media.
Is there a courtesy bus service?
Yes, the hotel operates a courtesy bus for pub patrons. Guests should confirm availability and schedule directly with the front desk.
How old is the Lakes and Ocean Hotel?
Over 150 years, having operated as a hospitality venue since 1872, according to the official website.
What is the contact number?
(02) 6554 6005, listed on the official accommodation page.
Is the hotel family-friendly?
The property offers family and twin/double room types, noted on Booking.com, and the bistro menu includes lunch specials suitable for children. No dedicated kids’ club or playground.