Myall River Magic: A Coastal Escape to Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest
There’s a moment, when the Myall River widens and the sunlight scatters across its glassy surface, when you realise why people fall in love with this quiet corner of the NSW coast. Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest aren’t the kind of places that shout for attention – they whisper, and the whisper pulls you in. Here, pelicans glide beside fishing boats, dolphins pay in the shallows, paperbark forests frame sandy pathways, and time seems happy to slow down a little.
In this post, I’ll take you on my journey across these twin towns and along the peaceful Myall River – where river meets ocean, nature meets nostaligia and every turn reveals something unexpectedly beautiful. Whether you’re chasing relaxation, wildlife, or just a break from the noise, this serene stretch of the Mid-North Coast might be exactly what you’ve been craving.
Best time to visit Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest
Anytime is a great time to visit Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest.
Summer December to February is 18-28°C and perfect for water activities and enjoying the beaches. Water temperature is on average 22°C. Booking accommodation well in advance is advised for the Christmas and Easter school holidays.
Autumn (March – May) sunny days are followed by cooler nights – making it ideal for outdoor activities such as fishing, sailing and dune adventures. Autumn temperatures fall between 12-24°C
Winter (June – August) It’s whale watching season! It is generally sunny with comfortable but cooler temperatures of 9-18°C.
Spring (September – November) offers sunny days followed by mild warmer evenings. September is the perfect time to enjoy cycling, walking and the National Parks with temperatures between 13-25°C.
CLICK HERE to check of the weather temperatures, rainfall, winds and tides
How to get to Tea Garden and Hawks Nest
Flying
Newcastle Airport has direct flights from Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Gold Coast and Melbourne and Perth. From the airport, it’s a 40minute drive north to Tea Gardens.
Driving from Sydney
It’s a 2.5hour drive from Sydney. Head up the M1 to Newcastle and then follow the signs to Taree. When you see the signs for the Rock Roadhouse (after crossing the Karuah River), take the next right turn. It’ll take you all the way to Tea Gardens. Hawks Nest is just over the Singing Bridge. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the dinosaur at Somersby on the motorway.
Driving from Coffs Harbour
When driving south from Coffs Harbour, follow the M1 south and turn left at the Tea Gardens turn off, after Buladelah.
Public Transport
Public transport is limited but it is possible to catch a train to Broadmeadow Station in Newcastle. From there, jump on the 150 bus (Taree via Hawks Nest). Trip Planner | transportnsw.info for timetable information. On a good day, this will take just over 4 hours. And don’t even bother on the weekend! Once in Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest, you can walk just about anywhere and it’s nice and flat except for crossing the bridge.
Where to Stay
Luxury – The Boathouse Resort Luxury Apartments
Mid-Range – Oceanside Hawks Nest
Holiday Parks – Reflections Hawks Nest or Reflections Jimmys Beach
Pro-tip: Become a Reflections Outsider for discounts and rewards. It’s free to join!
Things to do
Walk across the Singing Bridge
The Singing Bridge crosses the Myall River joining the towns of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest. It gets its name from the musical sounds its railings make in strong winds. The views from the top of the Singing Bridge are stunning.
Riverside Dining at the Boatshed
Start your day with breakfast overlooking the Myall River, watching the river traffic and pelicans drift by at the Boatshed Restaurant. Alternatively, stop by for lunch if you enjoyed a sleep in.
Mumm’s the word
Locally owned and operated for over 20 years, Mumm’s on the Myall specialises in serving delicious locally caught fresh seafood over-looking the Myall River and the iconic Singing Bridge. Share a seafood platter and pair it with a gorgeous Hunter Valley wine. So good.
Farmer’s Markets
Support the local farmers and pick up delicious fresh produce from the MOA Providores Farmer’s Market. You’ll find them every Saturday from 7am – 12pm at Yarrumba St, Tea Gardens.
Explore the Myall River by kayak
A great way to explore the Myall River is to join a guided kayak tour with Lazy Paddles. Paddle through the mangroves, learn about the river’s history and get up close to the wildlife. You might even see dolphins gliding through the water.
Hire a BBQ Boat
Before you climb aboard your BBQ boat to enjoy a lazy afternoon drifting along the river, visit the Commercial Fisherman’s Co-op down near the boat ramp. Locally caught fresh fish and prawns tastes amazing when cooked outside with a glass of wine (or beer) in hand.
Play a round at Hawks Nest Golf Club
Hawks Nest Golf Course is absolutely gorgeous. Be accompanied by a chorus of rainbow lorikeets as you meander your way along the fairways. From 2pm onwards, you are invited to play twilight golf for just $25 and probably see a couple of kangaroos. Call the pro-shop on 4997 0740 for bookings.
Surf the Dolphin’s Playground
Located at the southern end of Bennett’s Beach, the Dolphin’s Playground is a great spot where surfers can catch a wave. A little further north, there is a patrolled section of beach for swimming. It is patrolled from 9am to 5pm daily, from October to April. Make sure to check the surf conditions before entering the water and always swim between the flags.
It’s also a good idea to learn How to Identify Rips at Australian Beaches
4WD along the Beach
Bennett’s Beach stretches 14.3km from the foot of Yaccaba Headland to Seal Rocks. If you have a 4WD, you can get a beach permit from Hawks Nest Newsagency. Access the beach at Sanderling Ave Access track. Make sure you reduce your tyre pressure below 16psi and carry retrieval gear. The sand can get seriously soft! Please be careful as this is also a dog off-leash section of the beach. There is another access point via the Lemon Tree Access Track further north.
Hike up Yaccaba
Yaccaba Headland hiking track commences at the southern end of Bennett’s Beach. The 7km return, grade 4 trail winds its way up the headland. At the top enjoy scenic views of Port Stephens, Myall Lakes and Broughton Island. Expect the hike to take 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
Take a picnic to Mungo Brush
Looking for a relaxing picnic spot, where you can hang out with kookaburras, black cockatoos, whistling kites and maybe a dingo? Mungo Brush is a gorgeous little campground with picnic tables (BBQs have been removed after being destroyed by the floods), a shallow sandy swimming area and a short rainforest trail. After crossing the Singing Bridge, turn left at the Golf Course until you reach the signs for Mungo Brush.
Go fishing
There are plenty of fishing opportunities for fishing on the foreshore of the Myall River from public wharves, jetties or the shoreline. Expect to catch bream, flathead, whiting, tailor (seasonal). For Mulloway (jewfish), try fishing at night under the Singing Bridge.
Bream love to hang out amongst the oyster leases. Head downstream and rumour has it, the metre long flathead live here. And if you are lucky enough to catch one of these monsters, take a selfie and release it as it’s illegal to keep flathead bigger than 80cm. Tinnies (boats) can be hired from the Tea Gardens Boatshed.
Bennett’s Beach is more exposed to the ocean and provides tailor, salmon and dart.
Jimmy’s Beach is also a popular spot for bream, whiting and flathead.
Before you go fishing make sure you have your fishing licence (kids under 18 do not need a fishing licence) Recreational fishing licence | Service NSW and Get the FishSmart app | Service NSW. It shows you where you are and where the marine parks are, and the legal size and number of each species for sustainable fishing.
Swim at Jimmys Beach
Join the Mullets for an early morning swim in the clear calm waters of Port Stephens. This local group of swimmers meet daily at 7.30am for a morning swim.
Jimmys Beach is a great location to relax. Feel the sun on your skin and the breeze in your hair whilst you play on the white sandy beach and in the clear tranquil water.
Take the Tea Gardens Ferry to Nelson Bay
If you are staying in the area for longer, a good day trip is to take the historic Tea Gardens Ferry to Nelson Bay. Enjoy a leisurely cruise down the Myall Lakes, past mangroves, oyster leases and sand islands which are teeming with birdlife before crossing Port Stephens. Remember to look out for dolphins.
Visiting during whale watching season? Join a whale watching cruise from Nelson Bay.
Stroll along the river foreshore
Stroll along the foreshore and discover sculptures along the river, relax in Anzac Park, learn about the maritime history of the Myall River at the Tea Gardens Slipway and grab an ice cream at the Ice Creamery.
The Tea Gardens Ice Creamery 
Talking Heads 
ANZAC Park
As the sun drops behind the trees and the Myall River settles into its evening calm, it’s easy to understand why Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest linger in the memory long after you’ve left. From peaceful riverside walks to windswept beaches and wildlife-filled waterways, this little slice of NSW offers the kind of slow, grounding escape that’s getting harder to find.
If this journey has inspired you to explore the Myall Coast – or brought back your own favourite moments – I’d love to hear about it. Share this post with someone who needs a scenic getaway, or drop your thoughts and stories in the comments below. Your experiences might just inspire the next traveller to find their own quiet adventure here.
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