Myall Lakes National Park

Neranie Headland walking track, near the eastern edge of Myall Lakes National Park, has breathtaking views over tree-lined waterways and wetlands teeming with wildlife. Starting in a clearing that was once a part of the historic Neranie timber mill village, the track leads past an old cemetery where you’ll find gravestones dating back to the nineteenth century.

Ascending the track to Neranie Headland, stop for a breather and take in the beauty of Myall Lakes fringed with swamp oak and paperbark. Birds flock to the wetlands and if you time your visit well, the chorus of the feisty friar birds and rainbow lorikeets will be almost deafening. Passing through a stand of towering black butt near the end of the track, finish off your adventure at nearby Hearts Point picnic area.

You can download a map of the route [PDF 150KB].

Take this short walk to see the beautiful old lighthouse sitting atop Sugarloaf Point headland. On the northern side of the road just before the lighthouse you will see a natural arch and a wave-formed gulch. At the top you have extensive views up and down the coast, and the lighthouse is a great place to watch for sea eagles and whales. The light still operates as an important navigational beacon although it is now automatic. A short but steep track on the southern side of the road leads you down to Lighthouse Beach.

Please note the lighthouse area is only open between sunrise and sunset.

This short stroll packs quite a punch with breathtaking coastal views leading to culturally significant Dark Point Aboriginal Place, near Hawks Nest on the central coast. Also known as Little Gibber, Dark Point walking track starts near Mungo Brush Road leading to the headland overlooking Broughton Island. It’s a great spot to take in the unique history of the area, while on a camping holiday in Myall Lakes National Park.

Following this medium track through the coastal dunes behind the beach, stop and take in the refreshing breeze off the ocean. Passing by historic middens, this moderate path leads to Dark Point, an area rich with cultural and historical significance for the Worimi people.

If you’re keen to explore this unique region, make tracks to Mungo Brush campground.

Find out more about the Aboriginal heritage of Dark Point.

This easy loop walk takes you on a short trip through rare coastal rainforest, almost like the enchanted forest. The lush environment features ancient trees, plum pine, mock olive, coogera and brush bloodwood.

Children and adults can have great fun looking out for the colourful birds that live in the rainforest, including golden whistlers, figbirds, rufous fantails, and satin and regent bowerbirds. You’re also likely to see brush turkeys scratching in the undergrowth; look for their distinctive red head.

The walks starts from the Mungo Brush campground, about 30mins from Bulahdelah.

You can download a map of the route [PDF 106KB]. 

O’Sullivans Gap walking track is a delightful short walk that takes in the lush forests surrounding the peaceful O’Sullivans picnic area. Accessed via the northern most tip of Myall Lakes National Park, north of Bulahdelah just off Pacific Highway, it’s a great spot for a break on a road trip.

The track leads uphill through towering flooded gums that were once highly prized by the earlier timber gatherers of the area. Crossing a small creek, the path winds through regenerated rainforest where tallowwoods mingle with Sydney grey gums.

Look for the curious scratchings on the trunks of tall trees, mostly likely caused by resident wildlife such as koalas, possums and goannas. Following several spurs, the medium track leads back down to the palm-fringed creek.

This narrow, winding walk is a great way to explore both dry forest and swamp forest. Apart from a stand of flooded gums, forest red gums dominate the drier areas. You can combine this with either the Tamboi Track or the Brambles Green Track for a slightly longer walk, or for a more challenging 7 km walk you can traverse all three tracks. 

Some swampy areas are covered by sections of boardwalk which may be slippery. Parts of this walk may be wet if the water levels are high. You can download a map of the route [PDF 160KB]. 

Explore the dry rainforest on this easy grassy track through forest red gums, paperbark trees, smooth-barked apple and saw-tooth banksias, with cabbage tree palms in the wetter sections. Look out for conical holes in the path which are left by long-nosed bandicoots hunting for small prey and tubers in the soil. Allow around 1 hour for the return journey. You can download a map of the route [PDF 160KB]. 

Treachery Headland walking track is a short walk that offers impressive views of Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, the rocky headland and the coastline.

It’s an easy walk, taking you on a journey through the park’s coastal rainforest. You’ll pass a giant fig tree with intricate buttress roots before reaching the grassy headland where stunning views await.

A sidetrack off the main one will take you down to the white sands of the secluded Treachery Beach. It’s a great spot for fishing and surfing.

An ideal path for walking or cycling, this easy track traces the edge of Bombah Broadwater in the southern section of Myall Lakes National Park, just to the north of Port Stephens. The medium length easy grade path leads to the historic fishing village of Tamboi, which is situated across the river.

Tamboi walking track passes through tall swamp forests, where you’ll see cabbage palms and paperbarks as well as swamp mahogany. Look for the startling swamp lilies with their spray of leaves and magnificent white flowers in early summer.

Myall Lakes National Park protects a diversity of forests and lake systems which attracts masses of migratory birds, so bring your binoculars for some excellent birdwatching. Spine tailed swifts are often seen in the skies above in summer, however they rarely land. You might also see white egrets, grebes and kingfishers.

If you enjoy a challenging walk and scenic views rolled into one, then grab your hiking boots and make your way to Yacaaba Headland walking track. This lightly challenging walk leads up and across the northern headland of Port Stephens, in the southern reaches of Myall Lakes National Park.

From the southern end of Bennetts Beach, the track climbs steeply and you’ll notice smooth barked angophoras giving way to gnarly banksias and grass trees. As the track veers north, take a break and admire the inspiring views up the coastline. On a clear day, the distant blue ridgeline of Barrington Tops is visible.

The track gets rockier and steeper, but along the forested ridge top you’ll be treated to coastal views of Seal Rocks and Tomaree Headland. Out to sea, Cabbage Tree Island, known as John Gould Nature Reserve, protects the only known breeding colony of one of the world’s rarest birds; the Gould’s petrel.

You can download a map of the route [PDF 160KB]. 

This trail passes through beautiful open forest  to connect the tranquil, isolated camping area of Rivermouth to Bombah Point Road. From Bombah Point Road as you walk along the fire trail tall blackbutt forest arches overhead, intermingled with scribbly gum, sawtooth banksia and smooth-barked apple.

Located near the entrance of the Myall River and the Bombah Broadwater, Rivermouth campsite has basic facilities including toilets and is suitable for a picnic or overnight camp. It is easily accessible for cyclists and walkers. You can download a map of the route [PDF 95KB]. 

This is an easy walk or cycle through open forest, paperbarks and cabbage tree palms to Johnsons Beach on the eastern side of Boolambayte Lake. It is also an easy walk-in for an overnight camp at Johnsons Beach site (there are toilets available).

You will see giant smooth-barked apples and grass trees at the start of trail, as well as coastal heathland with an abundance of wildflowers in spring and summer. Paperbarks and cabbage tree palms inhabit the lower slopes of the hill, leading up to tall spotted gums, ironbarks, grey gums and black she-oaks. At the top of Johnsons Hill there are filtered views over Violet Hill Passage and the lakes. Johnsons Hill was the site of one of Myall Lakes' first dairy farms in 1901.

After exploring the hill you can continue to Johnsons Beach or return to Boomeri camping area. Allow around 3.5 hours for the return journey. You can download a map of the route [PDF 160KB]. 

Shelley Beach is an serene, isolated campsite fringed by massive paperbarks on the shore of Palmers Bay. It is accessible for walkers or cyclists from Boomeri camping area. This walk takes you through a mix of open forest and paperbark swamp. Look out for the huge austral grass-trees that populate the Moors, a striking area of wet heath along the track.

Depending on the season and the amount of rain you may see a stunning wildflower display from the riceflowers, wattles, flannel flowers, heaths, banksias and peaflowers along the track. Just before you arrive at Shelley Beach you walk through a patch of tall forest with a carpet of maidenhair ferns. Allow a whole day for the return walk, it will take around 6 hours.

These two fire trails connect and can be traversed as one walk. The slightly undulating Mining Road Fire Trail takes you through dry eucalypt forest growing on the ancient dunes and into the lower-lying swamps and wet heath areas of the moors. When you reach the Old Gibber Fire Trail the ground becomes sandy and passes through an area known as 'the Moors' before reaching the forest fringes and higher ground. In spring and early summer you can enjoy a spectacular display of wildflowers along the track. During wet conditions, long sections of the Old Gibber Fire Trail may be underwater.

You can make this a full day cycle, or a 2 day overnight hike. These tracks are often used by hikers and cyclists in conjunction with boat based camping areas at Shelley and Johnsons Beaches. You can download a map of the route [PDF 279KB]. 

Fascinating Mungo walking track, in Myall Lakes National Park, is a feast for the body, mind, and senses. A delightful collection of walks combine to create this absorbing track from Hawks Nest to Mungo Brush campground on the shores of Bombah Broadwater. It’s a long yet easy walk, taking in some important Aboriginal and post-colonial heritage sites, landforms, and diverse vegetation.

Meandering along old sand dunes on historic mining routes, you’ll pass a part of the track between Dark Point Aboriginal Place and Brambles Green campground which is known for its splendid display of colourful wildflowers. Following Myall River along Tamboi walking track, you’ll arrive at historic Tamboi village.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can do it all in one day, or else break it into smaller sections, savour the delights and camp overnight. Alternatively, it’s a great track for mountain biking with a refreshing lake swim at Mungo Brush to round off your cycle.