Ask an expert. Ask us. Ask a local.
Myall Community Art & Craft Centre is a designated Visitor Information Point staffed by friendly locals who know all the secret spots to have you living like a local in no time. Here you’ll find more than just information… you’ll get ideas to make your stay even better than expected.
Our visitor information points are located at Manning Regional Art Gallery, Myall Community Art & Craft Centre, Wingham Museum and Yalawanyi Ganya.
The southern gateway to the Barrington Coast is a spectacular blend of lakes, coastal forests and pristine beaches offering a truly natural experience. This stunning region is home to vast tracts of wilderness stretching from the twin towns of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest through the Myall Lakes National Park to Seal Rocks.
The centrepiece of community here is the Myall Community Art & Craft Centre at Tea Gardens, which is open seven days and showcases local artists and fascinating crafts. Nearby you can shop at boutique stores and enjoy fresh local produce at riverside cafes, restaurants or the local pub.
Ask the helpful staff at Myall Community Art & Craft Centre for their recommendations, and about upcoming events that may interest you: Myall River Fair, Myall Classic, Lakes Trail Festival, Triathlon Hawks Nest, Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Motorfest… just to name a few.
Suggested itineraries from Tea Gardens
Scenic drives: Myalls of beaches
Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest sit at the mouth of the Myall River, joined by the Singing Bridge, and reflect a relaxed coastal lifestyle with a sense of peace and tranquillity. With coastal themed cafes, galleries and public art this is just the place to get off the highway, unwind and have that very special holiday. From here you can journey into the Myall Lakes National Park which is a spectacular blend of lakes, coastal forests, pristine beaches and a huge sand dune system.
This scenic drive explores the superb southern precinct of Myall Lakes National Park on the coastal road from Tea Gardens to Bulahdelah via Bombah Point (vehicle ferry fee applies).
Highlights include the white and gold beaches of Hawks Nest, Mungo Brush lakeside and oceanside, and Little Gibber (also known as Dark Point) an Aboriginal Site of Significance with a rich cultural history and a gathering place for the Worimi people for over 4000 years.
Looking for nature:
It's easy to spend a day (or less) on foot exploring the jewels of Hawks Nest on our southern shores: Jimmys Beach and Bennetts Beach and more, stretching into Myall Lakes National Park. Pack some drinking water for a walk along Bennetts Beach to join the Yacaaba Headland walking track. At the top you’ll be rewarded with extraordinary coastal views to Seal Rocks and Tomaree Headland across the bay of Port Stephens. On a clear day you can see all the way to Barrington Tops. Afterwards reward yourself with dinner at a stylish Tea Gardens eatery: Tillermans or Tea Gardens Boatshed both offer exceptionally good dining experiences and should be on your menu.
The Myall River is the beating heart of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest so make sure to spend some time exploring this waterway flowing through Myall Lakes National Park to where it meets the waters of Port Stephens. The Myall River provides endless paddling opportunities, so hire a kayak from Lazy Paddles or Ezy Kayaks and start exploring. Lazy Paddles also does guided tours if you'd like to be taken to the best spots by an experienced local paddler. If your balancing skills are good, hire a SUP to enjoy the smooth calm waters and abundant wildlife. Otherwise simply jump aboard a Tea Gardens BBQ Boat for an easy cruise with onboard barbecue.
All of that exercise will make you hungry and you can satisfy those pangs at Mumms On The Myall for fresh seafood overlooking the water, a café favourite at the Tea Gardens Boatshed or Seagrass Café or a hearty pub meal in the beer garden at Tea Gardens Hotel.
