Tea Gardens & Hawks Nest

Straddling the shimmering Myall River where it meets the Tasman Sea, the twin towns of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest offer a classic NSW coastal escape. On the northern shore, Tea Gardens retains a sleepy fishing-village feel with its timber cottages and a main street that hums with holiday energy. Across the Singing Bridge, Hawks Nest is the gateway to the towering white dunes of Worimi Conservation Lands and the pristine beaches of Booti Booti National Park. Together, they form a laid-back base for kayaking, dolphin-spotting, and exploring one of the state’s most dramatic coastal landscapes.

Highlights & What to See

• Worimi Conservation Lands – Climb the enormous sand dunes that spill into the sea; join a 4WD tour or sandboard down the slopes for an adrenaline rush.
• Myall River Cruises – Glide past oyster leases and mangrove-lined banks, often accompanied by bottlenose dolphins that play in the boat’s wake.
• Jimmy’s Beach – A calm, protected beach perfect for swimming and paddleboarding, with picnic tables under the casuarinas.
• Booti Booti National Park – Walk the short track to the top of Cape Hawke for panoramic views of the coast and the Great Lakes system.
• Tea Gardens Historical Walk – Stroll past 19th-century buildings, including the old schoolmaster’s residence and the wharf where timber was once loaded.
• Dolphin Watch Cruises – Year-round resident bottlenose dolphins are almost guaranteed; some tours also visit the Broughton Island seabird colony.

Suggested Time to Spend

Two or three days allows a relaxed pace: spend the first day exploring Tea Gardens’ cafés and taking a river cruise, the second day sandboarding at Worimi and hiking in Booti Booti, and a third morning kayaking or fishing before heading south. If you’re short on time, a day trip from Newcastle or Port Stephens is feasible, but you’ll need to prioritise either the dunes or the national park.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Port Stephens – Just 30 minutes south, with the bustling town of Nelson Bay, Tomaree Head summit walk, and sandboarding at Stockton Bight.
• Myall Lakes National Park – A vast network of lakes and waterways ideal for kayaking, camping, and birdwatching, accessible from Bulahdelah.
• Seal Rocks – A tiny coastal settlement with a historic lighthouse, great surf breaks, and a resident seal colony at the point.
• Forster & Tuncurry – An hour north, these twin towns offer a long patrolled beach, the Forster Marina, and access to Wallis Lake for oyster tasting.
• Broughton Island – A remote island nature reserve with white-sand beaches and abundant seabirds; reachable by charter boat from Hawks Nest.

Please check official sources for current details.