Myall Lakes National Park

Myall Lakes National Park is a serene mosaic of shimmering waterways, ancient paperbark forests, and wild dunes stretching along the NSW mid-north coast. This watery wonderland, part of the Ramsar-listed Myall Lakes system, offers a blissful escape for kayakers, birdwatchers, and campers seeking true solitude. With its tea-coloured lakes fringed by banksias and the roar of the Pacific just beyond the dunes, this park feels a world away from the highway that skirts its edge. It's an essential detour on any coastal road trip between Sydney and Byron Bay.

Highlights & What to See

• Paddle the Myall Lakes: Rent a kayak or canoe at Bombah Point or Mungo Brush and glide through the labyrinth of channels and lagoons. Keep an eye out for pelicans, black swans, and sea eagles overhead.
• Grandis – The Tallest Tree in NSW: A short boardwalk leads to this towering flooded gum, standing over 75 metres high. It's a humbling sight and a photographer's dream.
• Dunes at Stockton Beach (Worimi Conservation Lands): The southern boundary of the park meets the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Join a 4WD tour or simply walk from the Hawks Nest side for epic views.
• Mungo Brush Rainforest Walk: An easy loop through lush littoral rainforest, with strangler figs and cabbage tree palms. Perfect for spotting lyrebirds and wallabies at dawn.
• Camping by the Water: Book a site at Mungo Brush or the more remote Pipi Beach campground. Fall asleep to the sound of waves on one side and frogs on the other.

Suggested Time to Spend

To truly soak in the park's tranquillity, plan for at least one full day – ideally two if you're camping. A day trip from Newcastle or Port Stephens allows you to paddle a section of the lakes, walk to Grandis, and have lunch at the Bombah Point Eco Cottages café. For a more immersive experience, spend a weekend kayaking between campsites and hiking the dunes. The park is compact enough that you can cover the highlights without feeling rushed.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Port Stephens – Just south, with its dolphin cruises, sandboarding at Stockton Beach, and excellent seafood at Nelson Bay.
• Boomerang Beach & Blueys Beach – Part of the Pacific Palms region, 20 minutes north, offering stunning surf breaks and the Booti Booti National Park walk.
• Forster–Tuncurry – A 40-minute drive north, where the Myall River meets the sea. Great for whale watching (June–November) and the Cape Hawke lookout.
• Seal Rocks – A tiny, uncommercialised coastal village with a historic lighthouse, fur seals, and excellent snorkelling at Sugarloaf Bay.

Please check official sources for current details.