Site Map & Content Directory

Historic things - concerning Smiths Lake Village development - do you have something to add here? Have a memory, photo, or family story about Smiths Lake? Click the feedback button — nothing is too small.

Smiths Lake has been mechanically opened to the ocean periodically, since 1932 to prevent inundation of low-lying properties and improve water quality. When open to the ocean, the lake is subject to ocean tides, swell and currents. When closed to the ocean, the main source of water flowing into the lake is from a network of small creeks including Wamwarra and Tarbuck creeks. Lake levels are monitored by Manly Hydraulics Laboratory. Current and historical records are publicly available.

Historic things - concerning Smiths Lake Village skate Park development - do you have something to add here? Have a memory, photo, or family story about who and how the skate park was proposed and built in Smiths Lake? Click the feedback button — nothing is too small.

Did Smiths Lake Once Have Fruit Plantations? We're searching for a piece of our local history that hasn't yet made it into the written record. Community memory suggests there may have been banana and/or passionfruit cultivation in the Smiths Lake area — possibly on farms run by some of our earliest settler families. But so far, we haven't been able to confirm it from historical documents or archives.

Historic things - concerning Tarbuck Bay or Bungwahl Area. Do you have something to add here? Have a memory, photo, or family story about the Smiths Lake area? Click the feedback button — nothing is too small.

Historic things - concerning the Pacific Palms area development - do you have something to add here? Have a memory, photo, or family story about Pacific Palms or Smiths Lake? Click the feedback button — nothing is too small.

A story of local discovery, fishing & lake management history

Smiths Lake was the destination of one of the most extraordinary real estate adventures in Australian history. In the early 1960s, enormous flying boats landed on its calm waters, carrying prospective land buyers from Sydney in a marketing campaign unlike anything seen before or since.

Historic things - concerning broader Pacific Palms and surrounding areas. Do you have something to add here? Have a memory, photo, or family story about the Smiths Lake area? Click the feedback button — nothing is too small.

Historic things - concerning Smiths Lake Village development

Long before the Lakes Way was sealed, before the holiday crowds arrived, and decades before a famous music video would put Sandbar Beach on the national map, Smiths Lake was the destination of one of the most extraordinary real estate adventures in Australian history. In the early 1960s, enormous flying boats landed on its calm waters, carrying prospective land buyers from Sydney in a marketing campaign unlike anything seen before or since.

In 1959, Degotardi built a boatshed on Smiths Lake — on the site now occupied by the renown Frothy Coffee café. We’re on the look out for old photos and stories about back then. Are you able to add information or a story to the record?

European settlement in the Smiths Lake area commenced with timber-getting, farming and fishing forming the backbone of community life for generations.

The Worimi People and Smiths Lake — A Story Being Developed. Smiths Lake sits at the heart of Worimi country. For thousands of years before European arrival, this remarkable combination of coastal lagoon, ocean access, abundant fish, and surrounding forest made it one of the most productive and significant places in the Worimi world. This is a story we are committed to telling well — and that means telling it in Worimi voices, with Worimi guidance. We are currently working to develop this history in partnership with the Forster Local Aboriginal Land Council, and we look forward to sharing it here as that conversation grows. We acknowledge the Worimi people as the traditional custodians of the land on which Smiths Lake Village is located, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Smiths Lake Water Level — Live & Free. One number tells you everything you need to know before the sandbar opens.

Find Us — Smiths Lake Village

Join the Next Clean-Up Day

Six Tonnes and Counting. Rubbish, derelict craft and abandoned equipment — gone.

Smiths Lake Water Level — Live & Free

Smiths Lake Water Quality — Tested, Monitored, Reported

Hands in the Ground, Monday Mornings. Smiths Lake's volunteer Landcare group is heroic — and there is always a welcome for another pair of hands.

On the Water — Speed limits, fishing zones, boat access — here is how Smiths Lake is managed.

Your Backyard, Your Bushland. Free workshops, citizen science, and hands-on programs — protecting what makes Smiths Lake special.

Three local Smiths Lake artists present their distinct yet interconnected perspectives of the landscape they call home.

Blueys Beach Village Concept Design Options 1 & 2 that aim to improve the safety and visual amenity of the area. Seeking community Submissions prior to 4:30pm Monday 20 April 2026.

High-Water Trail: A 12.6km bush walking trail connecting Tarbuck Bay, Smiths Lake Village foreshore, and Cellito Beach Boardwalk. Graded 2 to 3, the High-Water Trail links many long-established foreshore tracks into a single, cohesive walk - currently in development.

Transforming the open space into a council approved community space for all ages

Coordinated volunteer works program for weed management and bush regeneration, focused on Smiths Lake foreshore, village green spaces, and bush walking trail maintenance. Monday, 2 March works revisited BULL ISLAND for the fifth visit to carry out weed removal works.

Art Sculpture Garden: A community initiated concept design for the Arts & Sculpture Garden for the Recreation Reserve, Paradise Drive, Smiths Lake. Proposed facilities include: Sculpture Installations; Easy Access Pathways and Seating; Designed to foster ‘Open Air’ art observation, and activities.

New Rural Fire Service station to better serve our growing community. A developing project sponsored by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) to build a new fire station facility on the prepared site at the corner of Macwood Road and Paradise Drive. The building concept design is approved. Funding and construction commencement pending. Pacific Palms RFS is an inclusive group of volunteers, serving our community. Come join us!

Continuous Flora and Fauna observation, Identification and Education program for local residents and visitors monitoring and reporting sightings. Amateur and expert Identification support.

Our volunteer Clean-Up Day program focuses on the Smiths Lake Village Foreshore, Green Spaces, and surrounding precinct areas.   On Sunday, 8 March 2026, we targeted the lakeside foreshore along Sandbar Road, Smiths Lake NSW. Ten community volunteers, and the assistance of Sandbar/Bushland camping park staff, recovered and disposed of a total of 1.06 tonne of abandoned materials and rubbish.

PLAYGROUND COMPLETED: A community initiated, upgrade to the play equipment at the John Debert Reserve / Frothy Coffee precinct. FURTHER PLANNED: Renewal of derelict stairs to foreshore, Erosion control of foreshore, Extension of pathways to connect facilities, Removal of weed infestation, Native replanting to foreshore, Connecting foot bridge to walking trails.

When disasters occur, our staff work closely with emergency services and community leaders to understand what local communities need to recover. Once the immediate threat has eased, we lead recovery efforts in collaboration with community leaders and other recovery partners.

Smiths Lake Village and surrounding areas are a focus of Mid Coast Bush Fire Management Planning Authorities and services. We encourage you to be prepared, have a plan, and know your available evacuation routes, before fire season begins. Evacuation routes for Smiths Lake area, during bush fire emergencies, are updated annually by the Rural Fire Service.

NEW national emergency warning system DUE JULY 2026

Patrolled swimming areas, water safety, first aid, and rescue services during summer season.

Essential Infrastructure and service provider. Responding to power outages, safety and maintenance requirements.

SES: Emergency response and rescue organisation, dedicated to supporting communities in times of need.

Forster Police Station - 24/7 emergency response, community safety, crime prevention.

Pacific Palms Medical Centre: Doctor and Nurse available 5 days a week.

Marine Rescue Forster-Tuncurry: A volunteer organisation dedicated to the safety and education of the boating community.

Information and guides to bush fire risk response plans. Includes: ‘Your Emergency Response Plan’ tools, Community Evacuation Plans and Procedures, Emergency Contacts.

Annual Art Festival, Exhibition / Competition. Various categories and mediums, Open, Adult and Youth sections. Guest judging and prize presentation.

Organized garden visits, guest speakers, share gardening tips, swap plants and seeds. Focus on native plants and sustainable gardening practices.

A group associated with the Smiths Lake Walking Group (SLWG) arrange occasional social kayaking trips in local and surrounding areas. Typically easy grade paddles of 2-4 hours duration with an occasional opportunity for multi day, camp over trips.

Meet at the Pacific Palms Recreation Club, known affectionately by the locals as ‘The Recky’, in Elizabeth Beach, offering a variety of activities including tours, bowls, and interest groups for retirees.

Palms Performing Arts was created in 2021 by award winning performer Hayden Campbell to bring a wider variety of creative activity to the Palms community for children and adults. Weekly dance classes for all ages and abilities.

A Local bush walking Group (SLWG) meet regularly on Thursday mornings for a social bush walk in local and surrounding areas. Typically grade 1 to grade 3 walks, of 1-4 hours duration.

Monthly community markets featuring local produce, crafts, food stalls, and live music.

Whether you're a seasoned bowler or trying it for the first time, barefoot bowls is an easygoing activity that’s perfect for all ages and skill levels. Friendly staff will help you get started, providing tips to ensure everyone has a great time.

The Pickle Ball Club - Social games and introduction to Pickle Ball. Meet Thursdays, 3:30pm to 5pm, Recreation Reserve, 5 Paradise Drive - Ball Courts. Opposite the Bowling Club

Weekly choir and practice group classes for all ages and abilities.

Recurring group / class Monday mornings with Emma Barton. Classes at the Smiths Lake Bowling Club are on every Monday at the Pacific Palms Bowling Club, from 8:30am. Cost is $15.00 Per Class and all are welcome to come and join in!

Various Yoga practitioners and classes open to public participation.

Recreation Reserve, 5 Paradise Drive, - Skate Bowl. Opposite the Bowling Club

Roll up for a game of lawn bowls at Pacific Palms Bowling Club , no matter what level of bowler you may be from a beginner, spectator, or social bowler.

Nestled in a beautiful valley, between tree covered dunes adjacent to Cellito Beach, is Sandbar Golf Course. Whether a beginner or seasoned golfer, the NSW accredited par 31, nine-hole golf course is a picturesque and enjoyable course.

Join fellow fishing enthusiasts for regular outings, competitions. All skill levels welcome from beginners to experienced anglers.

Social Soccer Club will run weekly on Thursdays

Social and competition tennis for all levels. Four courts available. Tennis balls and rackets are available for hire. Book your game online. Coaching sessions available.

Pacific Palms Rural Fire Service is an inclusive group of volunteers, serving our community. Come join us!

Patrolled swimming areas, water safety, first aid, and rescue services during summer season.

The Pacific Palms Community Hall is available for private functions, community meetings, and events. Wheelchair accessible with kitchen facilities. Suitable for many, varied community and social activities (including the very popular Pacific Palms Markets) a facility and location for the whole Pacific Palms communities use, as well as for private functions.

Pacific Palms Medical Centre: Doctor and Nurse available 5 days a week.

PACIFIC PALMS COMMUNITY LIBRARY: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to Noon. Market Days 9am – 1pm Recycled Sales. Meet the volunteers, borrow a good book, check out the Kindle, or request one of the latest on the Top Ten.  Paperback, hardcover and e.book donations gratefully received and acknowledged on our Donor List.

A list of indoor Event & Function venues available for private functions, community meetings. Wheelchair accessible with kitchen facilities, Include: Community Hall Elizabeth Beach; Surf Club Elizabeth Beach; Bungwahl Hall - Bungwahl; The Palms Pavilion - Tiona.

Lake side on the Lakes Way, at Elizabeth Beach get to ‘The Recky’, by boat, car or courtesy bus - grab a seat & a feed at your Recky. Special and Regular activities including live music. Shuttle Bus Services from Recky from/to Smiths Lake and Pacific Palms Beaches

Local area location map illustrating key services and amenities.

The Pacific Palms Community Association (PPCA) is an Incorporated Not For Profit organisation that informs and advocates on issues relevant to the diverse community of villages it represents.  It promotes environmental, developmental, social and cultural responsibility while supporting specific community projects and events.

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