Guide to Myall Lakes National Park
Where ocean beaches meet mirror-still waterways and rolling sand dunes fade into pockets of rainforest, Myall Lakes National Park is a coastal escape built for slow days, salty swims and starlit nights. Just north of Newcastle, this vast Ramsar-listed wetland rewards curious wanderers with kayaking routes, wildlife-rich shallows, and a lighthouse lookout that feels like the edge of the world. Pack the boards, throw the kayak on the racks and pick up your Apollo campervan for a road trip where the journey and the campsite views are the main event.
Why do people go to Myall Lakes National Park?
Myall Lakes is home to one of New South Wales’ largest coastal lake systems, a mosaic of broad waterways and narrow channels that are made for paddling, boating and lazy shoreline picnics. Add more than 40 kilometres of ocean beach, and you have a rare mix of calm, sheltered lakes and surf-washed coastline in one destination. Sunrise paddles, sandcastle afternoons and golden-hour swims are all on the itinerary.
The park’s internationally significant wetlands support a rich array of birdlife, with black swans, egrets and shorebirds cruising the shallows, while dolphins are regular summer visitors along the beaches and migrating whales grace headlands through winter. Anglers come for bream, flathead, whiting, Australian salmon and mullet. On land, shifting dunes, coastal heath and shady groves set the scene for short walks and scenic lookouts, from the cultural landscape of Dark Point to the dramatic headland and rare external stairway of Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse at Seal Rocks.
How long should I spend at Myall Lakes National Park?
You can dip into Myall Lakes for a day and still feel refreshed, especially if you focus on a single pocket of the park like Mungo Brush or Seal Rocks, or the southern precincts near Hawks Nest. A quick itinerary might pair a morning lake paddle with a picnic, a short walk to a lookout, then a late-afternoon beach swim.
To really settle into the rhythm of the place, plan two to three days. That gives you time to paddle on Bombah Broadwater at dawn, take an easy walk at Dark Point, climb to Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, linger at a lakeside campground, and cast a line at sunset. If you are travelling by campervan, an extra night also builds in breathing space for weather shifts and the leisurely pace that makes this park so appealing.
How to get to Myall Lakes National Park
The southern entrances around Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest lie roughly 75 kilometres north of Newcastle, and the park stretches further north to Seal Rocks. From the Pacific Highway, common access points include Bulahdelah for the northern lakes and Bombah Broadwater, Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest for the southern end along the Myall River, and Seal Rocks Road for the coastal headland and lighthouse.
A scenic feature of driving within the park is the Bombah Point car ferry that links roads across Bombah Broadwater. It operates daily between 8 am and 6 pm and takes cash only. Fees are modest per vehicle, with a higher fare for larger vehicles. There is no direct train into the park and limited bus services to nearby towns, so a self-drive trip is the simplest option. Fuel, groceries and supplies are available in Bulahdelah, Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest before you roll into the lakes.
Best time to visit Myall Lakes National Park
The park is a genuine year-round destination, each season offering a different mood. Summer brings warm water and long days that suit swimming, paddling and beach time, with the chance to spot dolphins cruising the surf. Autumn eases into cooler, calmer conditions with fewer crowds, perfect for multi-hour paddles and relaxed camping.
Winter days are often mild and crisp, ideal for walking and lighthouse visits, and this is prime time for whale watching from headlands like Sugarloaf Point. Spring lights up the heathlands with wildflowers and delivers comfortable temperatures for exploring dunes and forest pockets. On this stretch of the Mid North Coast, March is typically the wettest month and September the driest. If your plans hinge on boating or the ferry, keep an eye on weather forecasts before you set off.
Weather in Myall Lakes National Park
Expect a temperate coastal climate with gentle seasonal swings. In summer, average daytime highs sit around 27°C with nights near 19°C. Winter is mild by Australian standards with typical highs around 19°C and lows near 10°C. While extremes are rare, heat spikes have reached into the low 40s and cold snaps can dip close to freezing, so flexible layers are your friend.
Rainfall is spread through the year, with March usually the wettest month and September the driest on this part of the coast. Sudden showers can appear even on sunny days, especially near the shore. Pack light wet-weather gear, broad-spectrum sunscreen, a hat and plenty of drinking water. On the water, calm mornings are common and winds tend to rise through the afternoon, so early paddles often deliver the smoothest conditions.
Things to do and see at Myall Lakes National Park
Water is the star here, and there are countless ways to enjoy it. Paddle the sheltered edges of Bombah Broadwater at dawn, drift along the Myall River under forest canopy, or nose a kayak into quiet bays on Boolambayte Lake. Beach lovers can split time between surf and sand at Hawks Nest and lakeside swimming from grassy shores near several campgrounds. Anglers can try for bream, flathead, whiting, mullet and Australian salmon from the lakes, river mouths and beaches.
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse at Seal Rocks for sweeping ocean views and a photogenic headland climb Dark Point walking track, a short dune walk to a rocky lookout with cultural significance and big-sky coastal views The Grandis picnic area near Bulahdelah to see the tallest known tree in NSW, a towering flooded gum Hawks Nest and Bennetts Beach for surf and long beach strolls Bombah Broadwater for glassy sunrise paddles and lakeside picnics Broughton Island for boat-access-only island camping among a thriving seabird colony
Wildlife watching is part of daily life in the park. Look for black swans, herons and terns cruising the shallows, turtles surfacing in the lakes, and schools of baitfish flickering in the river mouths. In winter, scan the horizon from headlands for humpbacks on the annual migration, with calves more commonly seen on the southbound return in spring.
Entry fees and passes for Myall Lakes National Park
There is a modest per-vehicle daily entry fee for Myall Lakes National Park, which you can pay at on-site pay stations such as Mungo Brush or via the Park’nPay app. If you plan to visit multiple NSW national parks over the year, consider an annual multi-park pass for value and convenience. The Bombah Point car ferry has a separate charge, payable in cash, with a higher fare for larger vehicles. Most campgrounds must be booked in advance and have their own camping fees, while boat-access-only Broughton Island has its own arrangements and limited sites.
Best place to park your campervan at Myall Lakes National Park
Myall Lakes is well set up for campervans when you use designated campgrounds. For a classic lakeside stay, Neranie Campground offers around two dozen sites including spaces suitable for caravans and the ability to camp beside your vehicle. The calm water here is perfect for family swimming, canoe launches and slow boating days right from the shore.
If you are chasing a more secluded vibe, Bungarie Bay Campground has a handful of lakeside sites that take both tents and caravans. It fronts Boolambayte Lake, which is a peaceful base for birdwatching, paddling and afternoon dips. For a forest setting close to the water, Boomeri Campground sits among tall trees with space for camper trailers and a natural gateway to hiking, mountain biking, swimming, fishing and paddling on Bombah Broadwater. Sites are limited for larger rigs, so book early and check size restrictions before you go.
Prefer full amenities with your waterside site? NRMA Myall Shores Holiday Park provides powered and unpowered sites as well as a range of facilities including amenities blocks, a kiosk and a pool, plus easy access to the lake and a boat ramp. Wherever you stay, remember there is no freedom camping inside the national park. Many campgrounds require advance booking and fill quickly in summer and holiday periods, so check NPWS rules for your chosen site and secure a spot where required. Arrive with drinking water and essentials, and be ready to roll into camp in time for lakeside sunset views from your Apollo campervan.
Safety and things to watch for
Myall Lakes is a natural environment with limited services away from main hubs, so self-sufficiency is key. Bring ample drinking water, snacks and basic supplies, especially if you are heading for smaller campgrounds or boat-access locations. Dogs and other pets are not permitted anywhere in the park, including along the access routes and ferry approaches, to protect wildlife and sensitive habitats.
Beach safety: many beaches in and around the park are not patrolled and can have strong rips and currents, so choose patrolled beaches where possible and swim within your ability.
Dingo and wild dog awareness: dingoes/wild dogs are present in the broader area, and management actions (like control programs) can occur, so keep food secured, never feed wildlife, and follow all signage and alerts.
Roads: conditions range from sealed to gravel, and some side tracks can be sandy, so drive to conditions and avoid soft sand unless your vehicle is suited
Ready to wake up to glassy lake reflections and fall asleep to ocean hush? Plot your route, book a site where needed and pick up your Apollo campervan to unlock the very best of Myall Lakes on your own schedule. From sunrise paddles to starry campfires, this is coastal New South Wales at its most relaxed and rewarding.
FAQs and quick answers
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What to do in Myall Lakes National Park?
Go all-in on the water (kayak Bombah Broadwater or the Myall River), add a dunes walk at Dark Point, finish with a headland sunset at Sugarloaf Point, and build in at least one lazy lakeside picnic.
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Are there dolphins in Myall Lakes?
You can sometimes spot dolphins along the open coast and nearby marine waters, and the wider Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park (which includes the Myall system) is known for dolphin species.
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Can you swim in Myall Lakes?
Yes, people do swim in the lakes and calmer areas, but conditions vary. Treat the ocean beaches with extra caution, especially where they are unpatrolled, and always follow local signage and safety advice.
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Are there dingoes at Myall Lakes?
Dingoes (and wild dogs) are present in the Myall Lakes National Park and can be seen around some precincts, so store food securely, do not feed wildlife, and keep campsites clean.
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