Each facility varies in the size and fixtures available for hire, all having access to tables, chairs and kitchen facilities and able to cater for a diverse range of functions. These centres provide community members with an opportunity and place to create, celebrate, learn new skills, access information and most importantly, meet and socialise, in their local community.

Altogether, 18 of these venues are provided directly by Great Lakes Council (15 managed and operated by local Volunteer Committees, 3 council managed) and 4 are independently provided and managed by private trusts or independent community committees. Members of these volunteer Hall Committees are local people with an interest in their community and a commitment to maintaining their villages public facilities and providing quality services to their community.

Community Halls and Centres are available for hire on a casual or regular basis at very affordable rates.

There are several historic buildings and town centres located in the Great Lakes region - in particular the towns of Stroud and Bulahdelah.

Stroud - Founded in 1826 by the Australian Agricultural Company (AAC) Stroud is an area rich in historic value and full of beautiful historic buildings. Stroud also happens to be home to one of the largest displays of convict constructions in Australia. Today many of these old buildings have been preserved and the whole town is under National Trust classification.

Bulahdelah - The first land grant in the Myall River settlement, the original name for Bulahdelah, occurred in 1840. Bulahdelah, meaning 'meeting of the waters', became the settlement's official name in 1877 and was proclaimed a village in 1886. Bulahdelah Courthouse is a beautiful historic building where you can experience the history of the pioneers, where petty criminals were once sentenced to their fate.

These buildings include:

Bulahdelah Doctors Surgery

Kindilan Child Care Centre

Bulahdelah Doctors Residence

Forster CWA

Bulahdelah Preschool

Forster Neighborhood Centre

Bulahdelah CWA

Great Lakes Community College

Stroud Medical Centre

Forster Arts and Crafts Centre

Stroud Preschool

Forster Tuncurry Community Bus Garage

Stroud Baby Health Centre

Forster Tuncurry Community Centre

Tea Gardens Pre School

Great Lakes Bridge Club/Arts Society

Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association

Wootton Brush Turkey Cafe

Myall Arts and Crafts Centre