Celebrate Christmas on the water with a scenic cruise on Wallis Lake, complete with a delicious two-course meal and wildlife sightings. Discover why this holiday event is a local favorite.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
3–4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels, especially those comfortable sitting and standing for extended periods.
Wildlife
History
Wallis Lake has been a vital part of local Indigenous culture for centuries, known as a place of abundance and tradition.
Conservation
The area is part of ongoing conservation efforts to protect native wildlife and habitats, ensuring pristine waters for future visitors.
Free Spirit Cruises
Celebrate Christmas on the water with a scenic cruise on Wallis Lake, complete with a delicious two-course meal and wildlife sightings. Discover why this holiday event is a local favorite.
Free Spirit Cruises is a passenger cruise operator based in Forster, New South Wales. The company runs scheduled scenic cruises and private charters on Wallis Lake and nearby rivers, including the Coolongolook and Wallamba waterways.
Services include seasonal event cruises — such as Christmas Lunch, New Year’s Eve Fireworks Dinner, and Sunset Cruises — plus regular Discovery Lunch and Lunch-at-Coomba-Aquatic-Club voyages. All public cruises feature table-served meals, freshly prepared food, and a licensed bar on board.
The Coolongolook River Cruise follows a historic logging route to the Old Cedar Wharf at Coolongolook and includes morning tea, lunch, and dessert served onboard. The Discovery Lunch Cruise and Christmas Lunch both offer two-course meals with opportunities to spot dolphins and birdlife across Wallis Lake. The New Year’s Eve Fireworks Dinner Cruise includes a three-course menu with options for varied dietary needs.
Private charter options accommodate up to 70 guests for events such as birthdays, weddings, corporate functions, and family gatherings; clients may choose professional catering or bring their own provisions. Morning tea is provided on selected longer cruises, and the Lunch-at-the-On-the-Lake-Bistro itinerary includes a 1.5-hour club stop.
Bookings are essential for seasonal and special-event cruises. Free Spirit Cruises operates from Forster, providing local knowledge of waterways and wildlife viewing opportunities. Photographers, families, and groups seeking a coastal river or lake cruise can find a variety of timed, catered, and private options tailored to Forster’s Wallis Lake region. Reservation details, departure times, and accessibility information are available when booking each cruise online directly.
Location
Forster, NSW
Operating from Forster, New South Wales
Tours Offered
8 trips
Includes lunch, sunset, river and charter
Charter Capacity
Up to 70 guests
Ideal for events and private groups
Typical Durations
2–4 hours
Cruises from two to four hours
Reserve seats for seasonal events or schedule a private charter for up to 70 guests — bookings essential.
Book early for the holiday cruise
Secure your spot well in advance due to high demand during the festive season.
Dress for the weather
Bring layers, as temperatures can vary on the water, especially during December mornings.
Bring binoculars
Enhance wildlife spotting opportunities with a good pair of binoculars.
Arrive early for the best seating
Getting on board early ensures better seats and better views of the lake and wildlife.
Dress in layers
Layered clothing keeps you comfortable in changing temperatures on the water.
summer
Binoculars
Enhances wildlife viewing during the cruise.
Sunscreen
Protect your skin from sun exposure while on the open water.
summer
Windbreaker or light jacket
Provides extra warmth during cooler months.
winter