Myall Lakes National Park

Myall Lakes National Park is a pristine water wonderland on the NSW Mid North Coast, where a chain of shimmering lakes, tranquil rivers, and wild surf beaches converge. This is a place to swap schedules for paddle strokes, to swap city noise for the call of a white-bellied sea eagle. With its maze of waterways and pockets of untouched bush, it feels like a secret – one you’ll want to explore by kayak, on foot, or simply with a towel and a good book on a deserted beach.

Highlights & What to See

• Myall Lakes – A vast system of interconnected lakes perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Glide through mirror-still waters fringed by paperbarks and see the world from a different angle.
• Mungo Brush – This historic settlement is the park’s hub, with a general store (stocking essential supplies and great pies), a campground, and access to the Mungo Rainforest Walk – a short boardwalk through lush, ancient vegetation.
• Bombah Point – A remote ferry crossing with a tiny café and a sandy beach. It’s the gateway to the southern section of the park and the start of the popular Bombah Point to Little Beach kayak trail.
• Little Beach and Shelly Beach – Two stunning, uncrowded surf beaches backed by dunes and heath. Perfect for a swim, a picnic, or a long walk with the sound of the ocean as your soundtrack.
• Seal Rocks – Just north of the park, this tiny coastal hamlet offers dramatic rock platforms, a historic lighthouse, and some of the best snorkelling and diving on the coast – often with fur seals.
• Birdwatching and Wildlife – Keep an eye out for swamp wallabies, goannas, and an incredible array of birds, including azure kingfishers and white-bellied sea eagles. Dawn and dusk are magic hours.

Suggested Time to Spend

Give yourself at least two full days to do the park justice. Use the first day to paddle the lakes and explore the Mungo Brush area; the second to head to the beaches and perhaps do the short walk to the historic Cape Hawke lookout (just outside the park). If you only have a day, focus on the lakes – rent a kayak at Bombah Point and spend a few hours exploring the calm waterways, then grab lunch at Bombah Point Café. A longer stay of three or four days allows you to really slow down, camp by the water, and discover the park’s quieter corners.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Port Stephens – 45 minutes south, this huge natural harbour offers dolphin cruises, sand dunes at Stockton Beach, and excellent seafood.
• Booti Booti National Park – A narrow coastal park with a stunning walk between two lakes and the ocean, plus great surf beaches.
• Pacific Palms – A string of lakeside villages (Boomerang Beach, Elizabeth Beach) with a laid-back vibe, good cafés, and easy access to the park’s northern entrance.
• Wallingat National Park – A lesser-known park with tall forests and the peaceful Wang Wauk River – perfect for a quiet paddle or bushwalk.
• Forster – A larger coastal town 30 minutes north, with a lively waterfront, restaurants, and the beautiful One Mile Beach.

Please check official sources for current details.