NSW North Coast – Hawks Nest /Tea Gardens and National Park Drive

These two pleasant towns are only separated by a bridge across the mouth of the Myall river and are located on the junction of the river and the ocean. The larger towns of Port Stephens and Nelsons Bay are visible across the bay and there is a ferry service available. Tea Gardens appeared to be more into art and tourism, with an art walk along the waterfront and even a quirky sign at the police station. Unfortunately if was a bit grey and drizzly at times so some photos are a bit flat.

Hawks Nest has a great ocean beach and the dogs had a great time running and swimming.

Just out of Hawks Nest we were bemused by a sign advertising a camp ground – given the looooooooong list of conditions we found it hard to believe that anyone would actually stay there! Obviously no review available from us ……

North of the Hawks Nest is the beautiful Myall Lakes National Park which includes a thin spit between the lakes and the ocean. It has a variety of different sections of vegetation and a huge variety of birds.

The next stop was Dark Point which is a huge dune system which has been a gathering point for the local Worimi people for over 400o years. Broughton Island is in the background.

We had lunch at the “Hole in the Wall” picnic area which is located on the long Munga beach and has views to Broughton Island which is the largest offshore island in NSW. The rainbow was a lucky bonus as it was only visible for a short time!

There is usually a nice little round trip through Bombah Point back to Bulahdelah, but unfortunately the ferry service required to cross a small 40m section between the lakes was out of order at the time we were there. The area is incredibly beautiful so we did not mind backtracking in the slightest!