Mid North Coast NSW - Lakes Way Tourist Guide

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The Great Lakes

With some 145km of coastline, The Great Lakes (Myall Lakes) is another great getaway from Sydney, only some 3 hours drive away. There are plenty of gorgeous secluded beaches and bays to visit, with wonderful scenery.

The region also has a growing collection of good restaurants, the seafood here is fresh and delicious and the choices in style of cuisine are almost endless, while accommodation can be found to suit almost any budget - from camping and houseboats to luxury resorts.

Pristine Beaches and Coast

The Myall coastal wilderness has over 50km of pristine beaches, dozens of them. Some are famous surf spots, others are secluded, peaceful and ideal for fishing or swimming.

Just offshore is Broughton Island, a home for penguins. At nightfall, they go home after a hard days fishing and swimming about and walk to their underground burroughs.

Port Stephens

Port Stephens, just south of the Myall Lakes National Park, is big enough to fill 2 Sydney Harbours and home to a large pod of Dolphins, who love surfing in the bow waves of the cruise boats.

The largest town located on the waters of Port Stephens is Nelson Bay, head there for dolphin watching cruises. During the migrating season months, you can also join whale watching cruises.

Stroud and Gloucester

Offers some of Australia’s best camping. The Barrington Tops, a beautiful world-heritage park should not to be missed if you like camping and/or bushwalking (trekking and hiking) and a favourite with Australians.

A number of buildings from the early colonial convict days are still standing as well as some notable buildings from the 1800’s.

The Lakes Way

Here are the surfing beaches of Elizabeth, Boomerangs, Blueys, and Pacific Palms. Check out the Whoota Whoota lookout, with its views to Coomba and Wallis Lake and on a good day, as far as Forster.

There is also Booti Booti National Park with camping, with sandy beaches and panoramic views. If there is time, the Walllingat State Forest and River Forest Park are also well worth a visit.

Foster-Tuncurry is a fishermans paradise. For fresh delicious lobster, crabs and prawns, check out their Fisherman’s Co-op.

Forster - Tuncurry

Forster - Tuncurry are twin towns located at the entrance to Wallis Lake. If you like oysters this is the place to get them, Wallis Lake is famous for its huge succulant oysters and a seafood dining paradise.

The area also has great watersports, fishing and beaches. The growers and farmers markets at Forster in the mornings of every third Saturday of the month offer great local produce.

There are some seagoing and lake cruises available, exploring Wallis Lake, Karuah, Port Stephens, Myall River and Lakes, Tea Gardens, or for a good feed go, head to Moffatts Oyster Barn.

Further Reading about the North Coast

Maps of the NSW North Coast

Hotels and Accommodation

There is a large variety of stays available in the region in the form of everything from hostels and backpackers to farmstays, bed and breakfasts, caravan parks and campsites, self contained units, hotels, motels and some very nice resorts. View Hotels in NSW.