Myall Lakes Booti Booti Wallingat - NSW National Parks and Wildlife

Wallis Lake scene (Geoff Woods / OEH)
Myall Lakes
Booti Booti
Wallingat
national parks
Myall Lakes, Booti Booti and Wallingat
national parks have a diversity of
landforms, wildlife and vegetation.
They conserve one of the state’s
largest networks of coastal lakes, with
the tallest tree, largest coastal island
and 80km of beaches and coastline.
The Myall Lakes are the largest
natural fresh-brackish water system
on the NSW coast covering 10,000
hectares and are listed as a wetland
of international importance under the
RAMSAR convention.
Gu-rum-bee, Wallingat NP (OEH)
The Grandis (Myall Lakes NP)
The inspiring coastal forests along
the western edge of the park include
the state’s tallest tree – The Grandis
– a giant flooded gum.
Wallingat scenic drives (Wallingat NP)
The forest roads of Wallingat National
Park make for a memorable scenic drive
experience. Gu-rum-bee Picnic Area
provides and ideal start to the experience.
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse
(Myall Lakes NP)
You can stay overnight in the
former lightkeepers cottages
(bookings required ph 02 4997
6590), or just enjoy a short 500m
stroll to this remarkable historic
precinct adjacent to Seal Rocks.
Cape Hawke Lookout (Booti Booti NP)
Cape Hawke lookout tower (OEH)
The region is renowned for its beauty
and striking landscape ranging from
sweeping ocean beaches to sheltered
waterways and surrounding stands of
coastal forest on the higher areas.
The Grandis, Myall Lakes NP (Ian Brown)
The Great Lakes area is part of the
traditional country of the Worimi
Aboriginal people, who have lived
on and used the land and waters
for living, cultural activities and food
gathering for many thousands of
years. Today, the local Aboriginal
community retain strong spiritual links
with the Great Lakes area.
TOP SPOTS TO VISIT IN THE PARKS
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, Myall Lakes NP (OEH)
The Great Lakes are a network of
waterways including Myall, Smiths
and Wallis Lakes between Nelson Bay
and Forster on the NSW coast north
of Newcastle.
A short uphill walk through coastal
rainforest leads to this stunning lookout
platform in the north of Booti Booti NP
with its dramatic views out over the
surrounding coastline and lake systems.
Enjoying the beach adjacent to The Ruins Camping Area (Shane Chalker) )/ OEH)
A delightful forest drive through the
park reveals elegant stands of tall
flooded gum and palms, breathtaking
views from Whoota Whoota Lookout
and peaceful riverside day use and
camping areas.
This park is the ultimate place for
camping and to enjoy the vast lake
waters for all types of boating and
water-based activities. In contrast,
the park’s beaches and headlands
are ideal places to explore, fish or just
relax. Choose from lakeside, coastal or
forested camping areas or venture out
for a remote camping experience.
The Booti Hill and lakeside walking
tracks immerse visitors in the park’s
varied landscapes. Complementing
the park on its western boundary,
Wallis Lake is ideal for boating and
windsurfing.
Wander the tracks around Sugar Creek
or bring your mountain bike and make a
more adventurous tour around the Park.
Camping by the Wallingat River (OEH)
Experience the cultural heritage and
giant sand dunes at Dark Point or enter
another ancient world along the Mungo
Brush Rainforest Walk.
The heritage- listed Sugarloaf Point
Lighthouse at Seal Rocks is a testament
to maritime navigation and now
provides visitors with the chance to stay
overnight below the beckoning light.
Camping at Mungo Brush Myall Lakes NP (OEH)
The coastal forests along the western
side of the park include the state’s
tallest tree – the Grandis- a giant
flooded gum.
The horse trail network provides riders
with the opportunity to undertake a
variety of day rides including loop trails
on a number of designated park roads
and management trails in Wallingat
National Park.
For further details riders should call the
Great Lakes Area office on 6591 0300.
Note – all roads are unsealed and may
be closed after heavy rain.
Elizabeth Beach: The imposing
Booti Hill in Booti Booti NP provides a
dramatic backdrop to Elizabeth Beach.
The beach is seasonally patrolled and is
a good swimming beach for families.
Elizabeth Beach looking across to Booti Booti NP (OEH)
WALLINGAT NATIONAL PARK
The park boasts a variety of expansive
and secluded beaches, providing
excellent surfing, swimming and fishing.
The Ruins Camping Area provides
‘close to beach’ camping with a high
level of facilities. A walk through the
rainforest up to the Cape Hawke viewing
tower provides views of the region.
(Onthe track to Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse (OEH)
MYALL LAKES NATIONAL
PARK
Whoota Whhota Llokout
Canoeing, Myall Lakes (Shane Chalker)
BOOTI BOOTI NATIONAL PARK
BROUGHTON ISLAND
EXPLORE THE PARKS
Camping on Broughton Island is only
permitted at the Little Poverty Beach
Campground.
Burning
Mountain NR
The parks have an extensive network of
walking tracks designated for walkers
only and management trails which are
suitable for both walking and cycling
(refer to coloured numbers on map)
All campers must book & pre-pay for a
campsite before leaving the mainland.
Little Poverty Beach Campground on
Broughton Island offers visitors a unique
camping experience, with some of
the most spectacular coastal views in
Australia. It is the only island in NSW
where you can camp.
1. Mungo Brush Rainforest Walk
2km loop track – An easy 30 minute
walk through coastal rainforest,
starting from the northern end of
Mungo Brush Camping Area.
Broughton Island (OEH)
2. Tamboi Trail 4km one way – An
easy walk starting from the bar gate
at the southern end of Mungo Brush.
Wander through stunning Cabbage
Tree Palm forest to the old fishing
village of Tamboi, or follow the
boardwalk to Brambles Green.
The campground includes 3 raised
camping platforms and 2 grassed sites,
providing camping for up to 30 people.
Broughton Island is a remote area and
careful planning is required. Campers
need to be self-sufficient and be
prepared for rapidly changing weather
and sea conditions.
3. The Old Gibber Trail 11km one way
to Shelly Beach (or 4km one way
to Johnson’s Beach) – A full day
or overnight walk starting from the
bar gate at the Boomeri Camping
Area. Enjoy coastal forest and the
“Moors”, a unique wet heathland
with extensive bird life and seasonal
wildflowers.
4. The Mining Road Trail. This popular
ride or overnight hike takes you out
along the former Mining Road for
10km until it turns off to the right and
connects with the Old Gibber Fire
Trail. It is a further 10km along this
trail to reach the Mungo Brush Road.
5. The Mungo Track a total of 21km
one way – Follow the lake edge,
river and beaches to Hawks Nest or
choose shorter sections from access
points on Mungo Brush Rd.
To camp on Broughton Island you must
book. Camping fees apply.
To book
Phone:
6. Yacaaba Headland Walking Track.
1.5km one way – A more challenging
walk, starting from the carpark at
the end of Beach Rd, Hawks Nest.
Although there is no formal lookout
at the top, there are views through
forest along the way.
‘13000 PARKS’ (1300 072 757)
Email:
13.park@environment.nsw.gov.au
Visit:
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/broughton
Camping PLatform, Broughton Island (OEH)
7. Sugar Creek Walking Tracks. Two
short loop walks (0.8km and 1.7km)
wind through delightful wet eucalypt
forest.
8. Booti Hill – Lakeside Walking
Tracks. This popular 7km loop walk
takes off from the Ruins
campground or Elizabeth Beach and
takes around 2.5 hours to complete.
Shorter sections possible.
LOCATION
Woko NP
Copeland Tops
SCA
TAREE
Gloucester
Barrington Tops NP
FORSTER
Mount Royal
NP
Wallingat NP
Bulahdelah
Dungog
Booti
Booti NP
Myall Lakes NP
MAITLAND
NELSON
BAY
CESSNOCK
NEWCASTLE
N
0
25
50
KILOMETRES
From the Pacific Highway north of
Newcastle, a series of roads run off
eastwards towards the parks and major
coastal towns such as Forster, Tea
Gardens and Hawks Nest.
In the north, the Lakes Way runs along
the edges of both Myall Lake and Wallis
Lake between Bulahdelah and Forster.
This provides ready access to Wallingat,
Booti Booti and Myall Lakes national
parks.
Access to the southern sections of Myall
Lakes National Park is via Tea Gardens
and Hawks Nest then along the Mungo
Brush Road.
This road travels around the Bombah
Broadwater.
At Bombah Point a car ferry (fees apply)
provides a link with the Bombah Point
Road connecting with Bulahdelah.
FURTHER INFORMATION
NPWS Great Lakes Area, Booti Booti
National Park,
The Lakes Way, Pacific Palms 2428 ph
(02) 6591 0300
NPWS Hunter Region, level 1, 12
Teramby Rd, Nelson Bay, 2315 ph (02)
4984 8200
Port Stephens – Great Lakes Marine
Park.
Locked bag 800, Nelson Bay, 2315.
Ph (02) 4984 8228.
GENERAL INQUIRIES
Phone 1300 361 967
www.nswnationalparks.com.au
Published by the Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of
Premier and Cabinet
OEH Publishing number OEH 2012/0075
CARING FOR THE PARKS
MAKING CAMP
WHAT’S COOKING?
•
Please respect Aboriginal sites and
places, they are protected.
•
•
All native plants and animals and
rock formations are protected.
• Camp only in designated areas (see
park map) and on numbered sites
where provided. All camping gear is
to be contained on numbered sites.
•
Drive carefully. Vehicles, including
motorbikes, must keep to formed
public roads. Unregistered
vehicles, including motorbikes, are
not permitted.
• Fully occupy numbered sites (up to 6
people) before taking another.
Fires are permitted in some
camping areas in Myall Lakes
National Park and Wallingat
National Park and may only be lit in
fireplaces provided by the NPWS
(see maps). Fires are not permitted
in Booti Booti National Park or on
Broughton Island in Myall Lakes
National Park.
Pets are not permitted in the parks.
• Maximum continuous stay is 28 days
(for Myall Lakes NP which includes
camping on vessels) and 21 days for
other parks.
•
Never gather firewood or kindling
from the bush as this provides
shelter and food for insects, lizards
and the wildlife that eats them.
Bring your wood with you from
outside the park.
•
A Park Fire Ban prohibits wood fires
and solid fuel BBQs.
•
A Total Fire Ban prohibits all fire,
gas and cookers of any sort. It is
your responsibility to know when a
ban is in force.
•
Note: Gas BBQs installed by NPWS
may be used during fire bans.
PARK USE FEES
Your support in the collection of park
use fees is essential for the upkeep
of facilities in the parks. Vehicle entry
fees (for day visitors and for campers)
and camping fees apply to all areas.
Current information is available from
the Great Lakes Area Office or www.
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
WILDLIFE IS WILD!
•
•
Never feed native animals or leave
food for wildlife to scavenge. This
changes their natural feeding and
makes them stay around humans
for their food supply.
Feeding wildlife can make an animal
sick or aggressive. Aggressive
animals may have to be destroyed.
•
Store garbage in a secure place.
•
Please support recycling programs
and take rubbish home where
facilities are not provided.
BEACH DRIVING
• Vehicles must remain within
permitted beach driving areas.
Do not drive or park on dunes,
headlands or any vegetated area.
• A speed limit of 40km/h applies.
Slow down when passing people,
on-coming vehicles or wildlife.
• Observe seasonal beach closures
which may occur for public safety or
to protect threatened species. Public
road rules apply to beach driving.
• A valid NPWS vehicle pass must be
displayed on all vehicles on beaches
within the park (contact 6591 0300).
• Permits are required for designated
council beaches (ph 6591 7222).
• Camping in boat-based areas is up
to 14 consecutive days.
• The maximum length of stay in the
parks in any one calendar year is 12
weeks.
• Keep noise to a minimum after
10pm.
• Generators and fireworks are not
permitted.
• Wash at least 10m away from the
water’s edge and do not pollute
waterways with shampoo, detergent
or human waste.
• Do not dig trenches or any type of
drainage around camping sites.
• Do not attach ropes to trees as this
damages bark and can kill trees over
time.
• Bookings and pre-payment are
essential for camping on Broughton
Island (visit www.nationalparks.nsw.
gov.au/broughton).
PORT STEPHENS - GREAT
LAKES MARINE PARK
Most of the waters around Myall Lakes
and Booti Booti National Parks form
part of the Port Stephens - Great Lakes
Marine Park.
For a copy of the Zoning Plan User
Guide contact Marine Parks on (02)
4984 8228 or visit the website at
www.mpa.nsw.gov.au.
• TREE WARNING: Trees in the parks
may collapse or drop limbs without
warning resulting in serious injury or
death.
SHARING THE WATERWAYS
• Observe boating restrictions (as
shown on park map) such as idle
speed and paddle craft only zones
to prevent bank erosion.
• No waste to be discharged into the
lake. An effluent collection vessel
operates weekends and holidays.
Pump out facilities are also located
at Bombah Point wharf.
(David Harasti)
•
• Campsites are not to be left
attended for more than 24 hours.
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Sugarloaf Point
SEAL ROCKS
Blueys Beach
BEACH DRIVING AND BOATING
on other areas contact Great Lakes Council on
permitted. No driving on dunes. For further information
Areas of beach within the park where 4WD vehicles are
to low tide mark are included in the park)
(Please note that all waterways and beach areas
INFORMATION
Boomerang Point
Boomerang Beach
Shelley Beach
Elizabeth Beach
The Ruins
Sandbar
8
Janies Corner
Booti Booti
National Park
Santa Barbara
Green
Point
Cape
Hawke
McBrides
Beach
Burgess Beach
FORSTER
FORSTER
KEYS
Treachery
Head
PACIFIC
PALMS
Treachery
(4WD only)
Myall Lakes
National Park
SE
SMITHS
LAKE
Big
Island
Great Lakes
Sailing Club
Booti
Island
Brushy Pt
LAKE
Whoota
Whoota
Lookout
arine
Subm
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Beac
Neranie
Yahoo
Island
NR
WALLIS
Gu-rum-bee Picnic Area
NERANIE
BAY
RO
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COOMBA
PARK
Wallis
Island
NR
Sugar Creek Picnic Area
LO O K O U T R D
O T A W H O O TA
COO
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Wallingat
National Park
Corrigans
Head
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Regatta
Island
NR
Bandicoot
Island
NR
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Coolongolook
NR
AY
TH E LAKES W
Mayers
Point
McGraths
Is
Johnsons Hill
Johnsons Beach
4
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McGRATHS BAY
Swan
Pt
Pats
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MAYERS
BAY
Violet Hill
Bungarie
Bay
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Nthn Broadwater
Freshwater
Two Mile Sands
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Myall Shores
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Sunnyside
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Myall Lakes
National Park
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Korsmans Landing
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The Grandis
O’Sullivans Gap Picnic Area
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pt Myall
Lakes N.P.
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Sandy Point
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Dees Corner
Mungo 4WD beach access
White Tree Bay
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Broughton Island (pt Myall Lakes N.P.)
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This map gives you a basic overview of features and facilities. It does
not provide detailed information on topography and landscape, and
may not be suitable for some activities. We recommend that you buy a
topographic map before you go exploring.
Dark Pt
(Little Gibber)
4
4
Broadwater
Bombah
Tamboi
TW O
Sunnyside
Myall Shores
Korsmans Landing
Cutlers Cottage
Brambles Green
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Venue: NPWS office
Locked gate
Showers
Parking area
Information centre
Historic site
4WD access to beach
Lookout
Park information display
Fuel
Caravan access (unpowered)
Kiosk
Accommodation
Walking track
Toilets
Barbecues
in NPWS fireplaces
Wood fires permitted
Picnic area
Camping
Walking Track
AL
RO
CK
SMITHS
LAKE
S
RO
AD
4
Yagon
Smiths
Lake
Treachery
Head
Lighthouse Beach 4WD access
Sugarloaf Point
SEAL ROCKS
Sandbar
Blueys Beach
River
No wash zones are signposted throughout the Myall
Public pumpout facility
Public wharf (no overnight stay)
Casual or visitor mooring areas (max. 24hr stay)
Boat launching ramp
swimming - no powered craft permitted
Small areas adjacent to camping areas set aside for
Paddle craft only - no powered craft permitted
or IDLE SPEED ONLY ZONES
within 200 metres of shoreline and in any shallow water
No irregular riding of Personal Water Craft permitted
Idle speed only (various water depths)
apply
Shallow areas where idle speed restriction does NOT
Areas with 4 knot speed limit
Water deeper than 2m, Myall Lakes
Shallow water 0–2m, idle speed only, Myall Lakes
BEFORE undertaking water activities of any kind.
areas of SHALLOW WATER. Check water depth
CAUTION: The whole of the Myall Lakes system has
6591 7222.
on other areas contact Great Lakes Council on
permitted. No driving on dunes. For further information
Areas of beach within the park where 4WD vehicles are
to low tide mark are included in the park)
(Please note that all waterways and beach areas
INFORMATION
BEACH DRIVING AND BOATING
Treachery
(4WD only)
Myall Lakes
National Park
SE
arine
Subm
h
Beac
Neranie
Vehicular track/4WD/Gated
Unsealed road
Sealed road
Highway
Other land
State forest
NPWS reserve
KEY
Fio
4
KATAWAY
BAY
CORRIGANS
BAY
BUNGWAHL
A
VIOL
R
S TO N
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