National Parks

The Great Lakes has some of the finest National Parks in Australia with deep green forests extending to golden sandy beaches broken up by crystal clear creeks and three spectacular lakes.

The Green Cathedral on the shores of Wallis Lake, is formed by Sundowner Tiona Park's Cabbage tree palm canopy.
A consecrated church, this place of worship is also a wonderful place to watch the sunset blaze over the lake.
Smiths Lake is ideal for children and families and offers enjoyable swimming, sailing, catamaraning and sailboarding.

Check out the fabulous ocean fishing and surfing at Sandbar Beach and a boardwalk entrance through rainforest onto Cellito Beach. Smiths Lake settlement has accommodation, boat hire, refreshments and a lakeside reserve.

There is much more to the Myall lakes National Park than its spectacular lakes. Located on the ocean side is the Myall Coastal wilderness which stretches all the way from Hawks Nest to Seal Rocks with 50km of sparkling beach. Also within the 50,000 hectare park are rugged headlands, towering mobile sand dunes, an estuarine river, parts of Port Stephens itself and offshore islands.

Broughton Island is the largest island along the NSW coast and the only one with beaches. It is located at the border zone of both temperate and tropical waters and in what may seem a contrast; its waters are home for both coral and penguins. Also on the island are thousands of mutton birds. A torch and the willingness to walk about the island at night are all you need to observe yet another bird that breeds and sleeps underground. This island is close to the northern limit of the range of the little penguin. As soon as it is completely dark, these diminutive black-and-white birds pop out of the surf and walk up the beach to their underground homes. By early summer their chicks are big and confident enough to wait outside the burrow or at the edge of the beach for the homecoming and welcome food. Adult penguins are sleek and glossy from a day's fishing, in contrast to the chicks, which resemble soft, downy footballs with a beak and flippers.

Myall Lakes holds one of the tallest trees in the state called The Grandis, a magnificent 76 m high flooded gum.

Booti Booti and Wallingat National Parks offer visitors a wide variety of different ways in which to explore the region.

Camp in an area with easy access to both lake and ocean, take in the beauty of coastal forests whilst driving one of our scenic routes, numerous picnic areas are available, visit one of our magic lookouts for absolutely fantastic views.

Take a drive great views of Whoota Whoota lookout which is located in the Wallingat National Park.

Spectacular Cabbage Tree Island, closer to Hawks Nest, is the only rainforested island along the NSW coast and is the only nesting site on the entire planet for the rare Goulds Petrel. It was the first Nature Reserve declared in Australia. Note, for its protection landing on this island is forbidden .

Click here to view the National Parks NSW Website