Myall Lakes

Myall Lakes National Park is a spectacular wetland and coastal park on the mid north coast of New South Wales, located north of Newcastle between Port Stephens and Forster. Covering approximately 47,000 hectares, the park encompasses Australia's largest coastal freshwater lake system — the Myall Lakes — along with extensive beach, dune, heath, and forest communities. The park is internationally recognised as a Ramsar wetland of international importance, supporting extraordinary diversity of waterbirds and coastal wildlife. The combination of sheltered freshwater lakes, ocean beaches, and diverse bushland makes Myall Lakes one of the finest and most diverse national parks on the NSW coast.

Myall Lakes supports exceptional wildlife diversity. The lakes attract large numbers of waterbirds including pelicans, black swans, ducks, and diverse wading birds throughout the year. The park provides critical habitat for the osprey, which nests along the lake shores. White-bellied sea eagles are regularly observed. The dune heath supports eastern bristlebirds, one of Australia's most endangered birds. Koalas inhabit the eucalypt woodland along the lake margins. The endangered swift parrot visits in winter. Dolphins use the estuarine waters.

Freshwater wetland vegetation with paperbark, swamp she-oak, and aquatic plants fringes the lakes. Coastal dune heath with diverse banksias, tea-trees, and wildflowers covers the ocean-facing dunes. Tall wet sclerophyll forest with flooded gum and turpentine occupies the more fertile soils. Scribbly gum woodland on the sandy ridges features diverse heath understorey. The transition from freshwater wetland to ocean dune community is a remarkable feature of the park's ecology.

Myall Lakes National Park is situated on a large Quaternary barrier system, with coastal dunes, beach ridges, and estuarine sediments forming the landscape. The freshwater lakes are isolated from the sea by the dune barrier. The underlying geology of the hinterland includes Permian and Triassic sedimentary rocks. The coastal barrier has built and migrated over thousands of years in response to sea level changes.

The park has a warm temperate to subtropical coastal climate. Annual rainfall is approximately 1,100 to 1,400 millimetres. Summers are warm, typically 24 to 30°C. Winters are mild. The lake system moderates the climate. Winds on the ocean beaches can be strong.

The Worimi people are the traditional custodians of the Myall Lakes region. The lakes provided abundant fish, shellfish, and waterbirds year round. The surrounding forest provided timber and plant foods. European timber operations cleared surrounding forests in the 19th century.

Myall Lakes National Park was established in 1972, recognising the outstanding ecological values of the lake system. Listing as a Ramsar wetland in 1999 recognised the international significance of the waterbird habitat. The park is jointly managed with input from the Worimi traditional owners.

The lakes are ideal for kayaking, houseboating, and birdwatching. Seal Rocks on the ocean boundary provides outstanding snorkelling and diving. Mungo Beach and Lighthouse Beach offer surf swimming. Myall Shores camp provides lake-based camping. The Bombah Point car ferry provides access across the lake.

Myall Shores Eco Tourism Resort provides powered sites and cabins at the lake edge. Bush camping is available at various sites. The park is accessed from Bulahdelah and Tea Gardens on the Pacific Highway. Newcastle is approximately 190 kilometres south. A national parks pass applies.

Managing water quality in the freshwater lake system is a priority, as the lakes are sensitive to nutrient inputs. Bitou bush control on the ocean dunes is extensive. The eastern bristlebird population is closely monitored. Managing visitor and houseboat impacts on the sensitive wetland margins requires careful regulation.