National park · Australia
Myall Lakes National Park
Enter free and drive in: no gate fee, so budget only fuel and the Bombah Point cable ferry (about A$15–20 per car return, 2026 estimate, check). Walk the 2 km (1.2 mi) Dark Point track for dunes and Worimi heritage, or the 2 km (1.2 mi) Treachery Headland track for lighthouse views. Come May–Nov for whales and dry tracks; skip Christmas–January school holidays if you want empty beaches.Enter free and drive in: no gate fee, so budget only fuel and the Bombah Point cable ferry (about A$15–20 per car return, 2026 estimate, check). Walk the 1.2 mi (2 km) Dark Point track for dunes and Worimi heritage, or the 1.2 mi (2 km) Treachery Headland track for lighthouse views. Come May–Nov for whales and dry tracks; skip Christmas–January school holidays if you want empty beaches.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
448 km² (173 sq mi)173 sq mi (448 km²)
approximate
Established
1972
Best months
Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 448 km² (173 sq mi)173 sq mi (448 km²)
- Roughly 448 km² including the four lakes and Broughton Island; boundary figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1972
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Myall Lakes National Park is a coastal lake system on the NSW Mid-North Coast, about 3.5 hours north of Sydney and 1.5 hours south of Port Macquarie. It is one of the state's most visited parks: 40 km of ocean beach, rolling sand dunes, four linked freshwater lakes and dense littoral rainforest. There is no entrance fee and no visitor centre — you drive in on paved roads, and the only paid crossing is the Bombah Point cable ferry. The Worimi people have used Dark Point for gatherings for at least 4,000 years, and it remains a registered Aboriginal Place. Most visitors come for the day from Forster or Seal Rocks; campers stay at Mungo Brush or on Broughton Island.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetland · 1999Myall Lakes Ramsar wetland of international importance.
Size and age
448 km² (173 sq mi)173 sq mi (448 km²) · national park since 1972
Roughly 448 km² including the four lakes and Broughton Island; boundary figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- 40 km (25 mi) of ocean beach backed by dunes you can walk on, not just look at.25 mi (40 km) of ocean beach backed by dunes you can walk on, not just look at.
- Four linked freshwater lakes for kayaking, swimming and fishing.
- Dark Point Aboriginal Place, a Worimi gathering site used for at least 4,000 years.
- Whale watching from the dunes and headlands, May–November, without a boat.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanHot and busy; school holidays fill campsites
- FebWarm; crowds thin after late January
- MarMild, dry, quiet beaches
- AprClear, comfortable walking weather
- MayWettest month on average; whales arrive
- JunCool nights; good whale season
- JulCold mornings; few visitors midweek
- AugWhale peak; bring a windproof layer
- SepWhales still passing; warming up
- OctDry, mild, whales tailing off
- NovDriest month on average; warm
- DecHot; Christmas crowds and booked-out campsites
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback whales on migrationMay–Nov · Seen from Dark Point, Treachery Headland and Sugarloaf Point. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Bowerbirds, white-bellied sea eagles and tawny frogmouthsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Long-nosed bandicoot (nocturnal)All year · Often seen around campgrounds after dark. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Striped marsh frog calling near ponds and swampsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Sydney
M1 Pacific Motorway north, then The Lakes Way via Bulahdelah or the Seal Rocks Road turn-off; all park roads are paved.
3.5–4 h
Open the page →
From Forster–Tuncurry
The Lakes Way south, then Seal Rocks Road or Mungo Brush Road into the park.
45 min
From Port Macquarie
Pacific Highway south, exit at The Lakes Way, then Seal Rocks Road.
1.5–2 h
From Newcastle
Pacific Highway north to Bulahdelah, then Bombah Point Road and the cable ferry.
2–2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mungo Brush and the southern lakes | Campground, rainforest walk, Dark Point track and the Bombah Point ferry crossing. | Open; paved road, no fee. |
| Seal Rocks and Sugarloaf Point | Lighthouse, Treachery Headland track, Boat Beach and the village. | Open; paved road. |
| Myall Lake and Neranie | The largest lake, Neranie Headland track and Hearts Point picnic area. | Open; paved road via Bungwahl. |
| Broughton Island | Offshore island with walking tracks and campsites; part of the park. | Private boat only; no ferry service. |
Sketch map
- 1Mungo Brush campground · Sleep≈-32.538, 152.312Map ↗
- 2Dark Point Aboriginal Place · Viewpoint≈-32.601, 152.269Map ↗
- 3Bombah Point ferry · Gate≈-32.583, 152.248Map ↗
- 4Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈-32.441, 152.539Map ↗
- 5Seal Rocks village · Town≈-32.436, 152.532Map ↗
- 6Neranie Headland · Trail≈-32.408, 152.452Map ↗
- 7Broughton Island · Beach≈-32.618, 152.314Map ↗
- 8Forster · Town≈-32.181, 152.514Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions across the park, from Mungo Brush to Seal Rocks and Broughton Island, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | vehicle | No entrance fee for Myall Lakes National Park (check current NSW Parks advice). |
| Bombah Point cable ferry | AUD 15–20 (≈ US$10–14) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; return crossing, cash or card at the ferry (check). |
| Camping at Mungo Brush | AUD 12–25 (≈ US$8–17) | adult per night | 2026 estimate; book online with NSW National Parks before you drive in. |
| Broughton Island campsite | AUD 12–25 (≈ US$8–17) | adult per night | 2026 estimate; reachable by private boat only (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping permit or guide
Bombah Point ferry permit or guide
Dark Point 4WD beach access permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$15–20≈ US$10–14
- A$12–25≈ US$8–17
- A$12–25≈ US$8–17
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NSW National Parks — Myall Lakes National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Dark Point
- Registered Aboriginal Place; stay on the track, do not climb or damage the dunes, and do not remove anything.
- Beach driving
- 4WD access near Dark Point is allowed only under set conditions; check with NSW National Parks before driving on sand.check
- Fires
- No fires outside designated fireplaces; total fire bans apply in summer and are enforced.
- Dogs
- Not allowed in the park, including on beaches and in campgrounds.
- Litter and fishing gear
- Carry out all rubbish; leave no fishing line or bait on the beach.
Where to stay
In the park
Mungo Brush campground
The main park campground between the lake and the beach; book ahead in holidays.
In the park
Cutlers Cottage
Three-bedroom park cottage above the lakes; sleeps up to six, book through NSW National Parks.
In the park
Davies Cottage
Hillside cottage near Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse at Seal Rocks; three bedrooms.
Near the park
Seal Rocks and Forster
Motels, holiday rentals and shops 20–45 minutes from the park gates.
Safety
Soft sand and heat on the Dark Point track medium
Slippery rock on Yacaaba Headland medium
Unpatrolled surf beaches high
Remote roads and no phone signal medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Mungo Brush campground, picnic areas and the Mungo Rainforest walk are reachable by car with short, level paths.
- Dark Point and Treachery Headland tracks are sand or rough rock and are not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse has stairs to the lookouts; the base area is step-free.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked tracks on the dunes; foot traffic kills the vegetation that holds them together.
- Do not feed or approach wildlife, including bandicoots around campgrounds.
- Take all rubbish out; the park has no bins at most trailheads.
- Use the Bombah Point ferry rather than driving around if you are heading to the southern lakes.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Myall Lakes National Park?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee for day visits, and most roads are paved and open in any weather. The only regular cost is the Bombah Point cable ferry, roughly A$15–20 per car return (2026 estimate, check), if you cross to the southern lakes. Camping is booked and paid separately.
What are the best hikes in Myall Lakes National Park?
For most visitors the 2 km Dark Point walking track (dunes and the Worimi site) and the 2 km Treachery Headland track (lighthouse and clifftop views) give the best return for the time. The Mungo Rainforest walk is a short, easy loop for birdlife. Serious walkers do the 21 km one-way Mungo walking track or the steep 7 km Yacaaba Headland track.
When is the best time to visit Myall Lakes National Park?
March–April and September–November: mild, mostly dry and quiet outside school holidays. May–November is whale season, best seen from the dunes and headlands. December–January is hot and busy, and campsites book out; May is on average the wettest month.
Do I need a 4WD to visit?
No. All main park roads are paved and fine for a normal car. A 4WD is only relevant if you want beach access near Dark Point, which is allowed only under set conditions — check with NSW National Parks first.
Can I camp in the park?
Yes, at Mungo Brush and on Broughton Island, plus two park cottages. Book online through NSW National Parks before you drive in; holiday periods fill weeks ahead. There are no shops in the park, so bring food and water.
Is there public transport to the park?
No. Buses run on the Pacific Highway but do not divert into the park or stop nearby, so you need a car. The nearest towns with services are Bulahdelah, Forster–Tuncurry and Seal Rocks.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go