Half an hour from Forster, or barely a moment from Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest, Myall Lakes National Park holds some of the most peaceful picnic country on the whole coast.

Towering eucalypts, still lake water and picnic tables tucked into quiet pockets of bush, this one’s made for slowing right down. No fixed starting point required, pack the lunch, pick a direction, and let the calm take over.

Good to know

Any season works here, spring for wildflowers, summer for swimming, and walking and wildlife spotting hold up year round. With this many quiet corners to choose from, a picnic at Myall Lakes National Park is about as far from the crowds as you’ll get without really trying.

Pack water, your picnic provisions, snacks, insect repellent and sunscreen. NPWS Park entry fees apply and are best bought online before you go. Roads inside the park are sealed, so 2WD is fine.

Water levels and conditions here shift with the season, so treat the lake with a bit of respect, wade in rather than dive, and keep an eye on the little ones near the edges.

Bring your own kayak, canoe or paddleboard if you’ve got one, plus binoculars for the birdlife, and bikes if gravel tracks along the coast sound like your afternoon.

The vehicle ferry at Bombah Point runs 8am to 6pm daily, cash only, and it can close in strong winds so keep that in mind if you’re relying on it.

Being national park, pets aren’t permitted anywhere, including on the ferry. Need a coffee fix? Head to NRMA Myall Shores Holiday Park.

Morning: launching a boat

A day out on the water is the big drawcard here, but these spots work just as well if you’re landbound.

Mungo Brush. Rainforest walk, picnic tables, barbecues, toilets and a boat ramp. One of the most popular launch points, easy lake access.

Korsmans Landing. Picnic tables, barbecues, toilets and a boat ramp, a quieter spot to launch and linger a while.

Violet Hill. Picnic tables, barbecues, toilets and a boat ramp, well placed for the western edge of the lake.

Tamboi. Picnic tables and a boat ramp only, remote and peaceful, reachable by water or 4WD.

Afternoon: swimming and paddling

Once the morning’s done, settle in for lunch and a swim or paddle to round out the day.

White Tree Bay. Picnic tables, barbecues and toilets, with sandy beach access that’s perfect for a post lunch dip.

The Wells. Right at the lake’s edge with calm water access and picnic facilities close by.

Neranie. Picnic tables, barbecues, toilets and lake entry, with a gentle sloping shoreline that suits paddleboards and swimmers alike.

Hole in the Wall. Picnic tables and lake views, a lovely spot for late afternoon quiet.

Hearts Point. Picnic tables, barbecues, toilets and a boat ramp, a quiet hideaway that rewards the patient wildlife spotter.

Evening: dine out in Bulahdelah or Tea Gardens

Depending which way the day’s taken you, both towns have a good feed waiting.

Warung Peri, Bulahdelah. Authentic Indonesian cooking from Chef Peri, the gadogado and nasi goreng are local favourites for good reason.

Plough Inn, Bulahdelah. Built in 1862 and sitting right on the river, this family run pub does a solid bistro meal daily, indoors or out in the beer garden, often with live music too.

Mumm’s on the Myall, Tea Gardens. Right on the river’s edge, this one runs from a relaxed breakfast or lunch through to a proper sit down dinner, seafood is the drawcard here.

Tea Gardens Hotel. A classic pub a short stroll from the water, known for its beer garden and simple, satisfying pub fare.

Tea Gardens Country Club. Full club facilities, bistro and cafe, with a kids playground and barbecue area if the little ones need to burn off the last of their energy.

Tillermans, Tea Gardens. The longest continually running restaurant on this stretch of coast, waterfront tables, a menu built on fresh seasonal produce with a French touch, and scones worth getting up for if you catch it at breakfast.

Know a spot around Myall Lakes that deserves a mention here? Get in touch, we’re always adding to it.