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What's on this Page:
INTRODUCTION:
Myall Lakes National Park is located in the Great Lakes region of coastal New South Wales, between Nelson Bay and Forster. The park can be reached via the Pacific Highway and the coastal towns of Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens (via Mungo Brush Road), as well as Bulahdelah and Forster (via the Lakes Way). Note, that Mungo Brush Road includes a car ferry (with $4.00 fee) at Bombah Broadwater daily between 8am and 6pm (every half hour).
The Myall Lakes National Park is within the traditional lands of the Worimi Aboriginal people.
European impact began within the Myall Lakes region with the timber industry. Logging was a major early industry in the region. Sand mining threatened the region during the 1960s and a call for conservation began to be heralded around the Myall Lakes.
In 1972 the Myall Lakes National Park was born, though only a shadow of its current size. From this early date, the national park has grown in size to what it is today. It protects about 44 000 hectares.
LOCATION MAP:
Below is a map of the Myall Lakes National Park:
View Myall Lakes National Park in a larger map
FEES:
Park use fees (entry and camping) apply to Myall Lakes National Park. It is best to check with the National Parks and Wildlife Service for the current fee amount - the amounts quoted here were correct when added to this page. Self registration facilities for the payment of park fees are available at Mungo Brush.
Park entry fee per day is $7.00.
Pay and display facilities are available at Mungo Brush and Violet Hill. NPWS staff also collect fees on a daily basis.
ATTRACTIONS/WALKS:
There are a number of walks within the Myall Lakes National Park, including the following.
There are areas of allowed beach driving in the national park and all rules concerning such driving are to be observed (40km/hr speed limit, within designated areas only, etc).
The Grandis:
The Grandis (Eucalyptus grandis) is the tallest tree in New South Wales. The tree reaches a height of 86m and is believed to be about 400 years old. The diameter of the tree is 2.7m at its widest point.
There is a viewing platform/boardwalk for observing the Flooded Gum, on what is only a very short walk from the carpark. There is also a picnic area at the site.
The Grandis is located off Wootton Way (Old Pacific Highway), along Stoney Creek Road. It can also be reached via The Lakes Way.
Mungo Brush Rain Forest Walk:
The Mungo Brush Rain Forest Walk is an easy 30 to 45 minute return walk (2km) off the Mungo Brush Road at the Mungo Brush Camping Area (northern end). Mungo Brush is located about 6.5km south of the Bombah Ferry towards Hawks Nest (which is a further 16.5 km).
The walk begins in the caravan area at Mungo Brush Camping Area (it is signposted) in an area dominated by Cabbage Tree Palms (Livistonia australis) and Paper Bark Trees (Melaleuca quinquinervia). Upon reaching the rest area there is a sidetrack that leads off to Blackfellows Beach. Leaving the rest area the walk proceeds into the rainforest. Flying foxes may be observed in some of the Cabbage Tree Palm stands along the walk. It is also possible to see Koalas on the walk.
It is probable that a number of birds will be seen during the walk (Note: there are a number of leaflets available at visitor centres in the area that highlight bird species throughout the Myall Lakes region). You may also come across Goannas, Dingoes, Possums and Swamp Wallabies.
Tamboi Boardwalks:
The Tamboi Boardwalks are part of the much larger Mungo Track and the Tops to Myall Heritage Walk. The boardwalks can be easily reached via Mungo Brush and/or Hawks Nest via the Mungo Track, which is an easy walk (21km in length). The area is an important haven for a vast variety of birds, including White Breasted Sea Eagles, Brush Turkeys, Glossy Black Cockatoos, etc. You may also see Wallabies, Dingoes, Echidnas, Goannas, Possums and Koalas.
From Mungo Brush proceed to the southern end of the camping area and follow the track for about 100m and then turn right on to the fisherman's road. Before reaching Tamboi there is a signposted gravel track to the left which leads to the boardwalks. The boardwalks allow the walker to travel through the wetlands providing a unique experience of the wetland habitat. You may return the same way or continue on.
The walk from Mungo Brush to the Tamboi Boardwalks is about 4.5km (1 to 1.5 hours) and 9km return (2 to 3 hours). To walk from Hawks Nest to Mungo Brush, via the Tamboi Boardwalks is a walk of 21km.
For more information you can purchase 'A Walkers Guide to the Mungo Track' at visitor centres in the area.
The Mungo Track:
The Mungo Track is a 21km one walk from Hawks Nest Surf Club to/or from Mungo Brush Camping Area. See above walk descriptions for more information.
The Old Gibber Track:
The Old Gibber Track starts from the bar gate at Boomeri Camping Area. It is an 11km one way walk to Shelly Beach (4km one way to Johnson's Beach). It is regarded as a day or overnight walk.
The walk is through coastal forest and an area known as the 'Moors' - a wetland heath area, rich in birdlife and wildflowers.
Dark Point:
Dark Point is an area of Aboriginal significance between Lemon Tree 4WD road and Sandy Point 4WD road. It has been declared an Aboriginal Place (2002). It also stretches from the coast to Mungo Brush. This area of the national park is regarded of great archaeological significance because of the evidence of Worimi occupation at the site, including middens and burial sites.
In the 1830s, Aboriginal people were massacred on the headland by Europeans.
It is illegal to drive over the Dark Point area.
Yaccaba Headland:
The Yacaaba Headland walk is a 1.5km one way walk (moderate grade), which starts at the carpark at the end of Beach Road in Hawks Nest. There are great views of the region from the top of Yacaaba. This walk is a strenuous walk, with most of it up hill.
Tops to Myalls Heritage Trail:
For more information on this trail it is best to purchase a copy of the guide book available at visitor centres in the region.
See also http://www.kevinswilderness.com/NSW/tops.html#TOPS TO MYALL'S HERITAGE TRAIL:
CAMPING/FACILITIES:
Camping should only be carried out at designated areas within the national park. Such designated areas are numbered and you must camp within the numbered area. Generators are not allowed within the national park.
The maximum stay within a camping area is 28 days. Boat based camping areas have a maximum stay of 14 days. Camp sites must not be left unattended for more than 24 hours. There is also a maximum stay in the park for any given year of 12 weeks.
Campfires are only allowed in certain designated areas within the park. No fires are allowed on Broughton Island. Campers are required to bring their own firewood as firewood is not allowed to be collected from within the national park. Visitors should adhere to any fire bans or restrictions that may apply on certain days during bushfire periods. I would advise using a fuel stove where possible.
Care should be taken when selecting a camping location as trees have been known to fall on tents during the night within Myall Lakes National Park. NPWS also advise campers to not tie ropes to trees as this can lead to significant tree damage.
Campers are required to keep their camping area clean and tidy. 10pm is the recognised quiet time for camping.
PHOTOS:
The link below is to a photo album containing pictures of The Grandis, the tallest tree in NSW.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmatthews/sets/72157625476686872/
The link below is to a photo album containing photos of the Yacaaba Headland Walk.
VIDEOS:
The following videos are from YouTube:
ABOVE: Sugarloaf Lighthouse
ABOVE: Yagon Camping Area
ABOVE: Dark Point
ABOVE: Myall Lakes Houseboats
ABOVE: Kayaks on the Myall Lakes
ABOVE: Koala
ABOVE: Kayaking Boolambyte Lake
ABOVE: Pelicans on the Myall Lakes
ABOVE: Goanna at Myall Lakes National Park
ABOVE: Yacaaba Headland Walk
ABOVE: Yacaaba Headland Walk
ABOVE: Yacaaba Headland
ABOVE: The Great Lakes Region
ABOVE: The Great Lakes Region
ABOVE: The Great Lakes Region
MY VISITS:
ACCOMMODATION:
FURTHER RESOURCES:
The Ruins Camping Ground
The Lakes Way
Pacific Palms NSW 2428
Phone: (02) 6591 0300
Level 1, 12B Teramby Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Phone: (02) 4984 8200
Locked Bag 800
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Phone: (02) 4916 3970
http://www.mpa.nsw.gov.au
MAPS:
Kevin's Wilderness Journeys Homepage
New South Wales
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28/11/2010
