Wallis Island, New South Wales

Wallis Island is a nature reserve near Forster, New South Wales, Australia. It sits within Wallis Lake, just south of the Coolongolook River. It was created in January 1983 and covers an area of 584 ha (1,440 acres). It hosts an Australian chateau and fishing retreat.

The area around Wallis Lake in New South Wales was a traditional Indigenous Australian settlement. The traditional custodians of this land are the Worimi people, an Aboriginal nation whose territory extends along the coast.^[1] Evidence of their long occupation includes middens, stone tools, and rock art, indicating a deep connection to the land and waterways for thousands of years.^[2] European settlement in the region began in the early 19th century, with timber being one of the primary industries that attracted settlers. The Wallis Lake area became important for its natural resources, leading to the development of towns like Forster and Tuncurry nearby, and these towns grew as fishing and tourism centers over time. It is named after Captain Samuel Wallis, who circumnavigated the globe in the 18th century.^[3]

Wallis Island nature reserve sits within Wallis Lake, just south of the Coolongolook River. It was created in January 1983 and covers an area of 584 ha (1,440 acres).^[4] The lake itself is a large, coastal lake located on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, about 300 km (190 mi) north of Sydney.^[3][5] It is governed by the Mid-Coast Council local government area.^[6] The topography is characterized by a mix of coastal plains, low-lying wetlands, and gently undulating hills. The lake itself is a large, relatively shallow body of water, covering an area of approximately 99 km² (38 sq mi). It is fed by several freshwater rivers and creeks, including the Wallamba River, Pipers Creek, and Coolongolook River.^[7]

The economy of the region around Wallis Lake, within the Mid-Coast Council area, is primarily driven by tourism, fishing, and agriculture. The pristine waters of the lake are renowned for their oyster farming, particularly Sydney Rock Oysters, making it a significant aquaculture hub. Commercial fishing also operates within the lake, targeting various fish species.^[7] The five-storey Chateau Le Marais, built by antique collectors Andre and Cecile Fink, is one of the glamorous fishing retreats, and considered to be self-sufficient with its own electricity generation system and solar panels. The luxurious property was initially intended to serve as the Finks' home and as a showroom for their antiques.^[8] However, after the 2008 financial crisis, the Finks' antique business declined and, in 2010, the couple were forced to put up the incomplete mansion for sale in 2010, with a price tag of $20 million.^[9] In 2019, the mansion is valued at around $16 million.^[10]

• Wallis Lake Nature Reserves Draft Plan of Management

32°12′50″S 152°28′48″E / 32.214°S 152.480°E / -32.214; 152.480