Myall Lakes NP
The Lake and Parks
Myall Lakes NP is probably the best National Park in New South Wales for family camping, and water fun. The park conserves one of the State's largest networks of coastal lakes, the tallest tree in NSW, an offshore island, and 40 km of beaches. The lakes are the largest natural fresh-brackish water system on the NSW coast. The park supports a diversity of plant communities, such as dry sclerophyll forests, rainforests, heath and paperbark swamps. Many threatened animals are also found in the park.
There are numerous camping areas dotted throughout
the park, allowing you to 
appreciate the beauty of this area. Camp between Mungo
Brush and Bombah Point, Violet Hill, or Yagon. Most camping areas offer basic
facilities and it is recommended that you bring in your own drinking water and
firewood. Alternatively, hire a houseboat from Bulahdelah or Tea Gardens, or
stay at Myall Shores which has tent sites and cabins. Park use and camping fees
apply.
This park has five lakes, rivers and the beaches in the back to carry out just about any water sport, fish, either in the lake or on the beaches
On Mungo Beach ,just on the other side of the road from Bombah Waters and Mungo Brush campgrounds, you can go 4WD beach driving. Observe all signs, and do not drive on the dunes or vegetation.
There is good bush walking along the Mungo Track, this track can be walked as five separate, looped, half-day walks or as a one or two day, through walk. There are other short walks. The Mungo Track is the last part of the 22 km (11 day walks) "Tops to Myalls Heritage Trail". The Tea Gardens Lions Club in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of NSW has put a short book together on the walks called "A Walker's Guide to the Mungo Track"
How Do I Get There
Myall Lakes is about 300 kms north of Sydney. There are a couple of ways of getting into the national park, the first if you are travelling North from Sydney is by turning right just after the Service Station that looks like Ayers Rock. There is a turn off to the right to Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest. This turn off leads to the main camping grounds at Mungo Brush and the shores of Bombah Broadwater.
Another way in is from Bulahdelah, one way in will take you to the private camp grounds at Bombah Point and then you can do the complete circle by taking the ferry across the gap between the lakes and end up back in Tea Gardens.
Yet a third way is to go through Bulahdelah and as you head up the Pacific Highway just out of town you will see a turn off to the right for "Lakes Way", this road will take you into Forster, however on the way there is a turn off to the right that will take you to Violet Hill and there are two camp grounds in here.
There are a few other ways in but these ones here are the ones that conventional vehicles can handle.
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Contact NSW National Parks Pacific Palms Tel (02) 6591 0300 or Nelson Bay Tel (02) 4984 8200 |
The campgrounds
Mungo Brush
The Mungo Brush campground has a boat ramp, tent camping, room for Caravans, toilets, water and showers. The tent camping is on the lake edge but you do need to leave your car in the car park
White Tree Bay
There are a number of great spots to park right on the side of Bombah Waters between Mungo Brush and the Ferry Crossing. There are a couple of toilet blocks along here and in the busy seasons the parks board put up portable toilets to make sure there is plenty of facilities. You will definitely need your own water, however you can park next to your tent site and the lake side camps are truly magic.
Bungarie Bay
This little campsite is a wonderful little spot on the way down towards Violet Hill. It has a fireplace but no other facilities. It is not far from Violet Hill by vehicle, but has a wonderful outlook onto the lakes.
Violet Hill
Violet Hill, is at the end of a point and has a reasonable campground, you will be separated from your car. There are long drop toilets which are reasonably well maintained and water is available. This little spot has a jetty and is popular with house boats to anchor in the evenings. It is very beautiful and well worth a stay, it has far less campers than the sites around Bombah Waters.
Johnsons Beach
Johnsons Beach main access is by the water, and the easiest way would be come cross from Violet Hill. It is a wonderful little beach and does not get a great deal of traffic. You could walk in from the road to Bombah Point Ferry on the Mungo Brush side of the Lakes. The only facilities is a long drop toilet, but the setting is breath taking.
Around The lake
There are a number of sites to the north of Violet Hill that have facilities such as toilets and the only way to get to them is via boat. There are also a number of wonderful little beaches without any facilities that you can get to by boat and have a terrific lake side holiday. Outside the prime time, you are on your own when camping in these lakeside camp sites.
Other Places to Go
The Grandis, a magnificent 76-m flooded gum thought to be the tallest tree in NSW, is accessible along Stony Creek Road from either the Lakes Way or Old Pacific Highway. There is a short walk to the tree along a moist gully. Basic picnic and toilet facilities are provided. Another picnic area, also offering short walks, is at O'Sullivans Gap, on the Old Pacific Highway 9 km north of Bulahdelah.