Itineraries

Guide updated 3 Oct 2026 · verify NSW National Parks the morning you go

These plans are built for real NSW Mid-North Coast logistics — drive time, ferry hours and cash, car parks, limited mobile reception, heat and energy — not fantasy “Mungo plus ferry plus Seal Rocks plus Grandis before lunch” checklists. Pick the plan that matches your group, then open it for a full timeline, packing notes, decision gates and what to skip.

Every itinerary defers to NSW National Parks for track status, fees and alerts. Free printable planner (PDF + HTML) anytime from Maps & resources or the download buttons on each plan page.

How to pick a plan

First visit, one day: Mungo Brush + Rainforest.

Ocean / lighthouse day: Seal Rocks + Sugarloaf Point.

Need the ferry link: Bombah Point ferry circuit (cash + wind backup).

Weekend / overnight: Lakes + beaches weekend — two solid stories, not five half-starts.

Fit headland challenge: Yacaaba half-day (Grade 4) — not for toddlers.

Highway break only: Grandis half-day picnic.

Illustrative coastal rainforest path, Mungo Rainforest walk style, Myall Lakes

Full day on the ground (or overnight if camp booked)

Mungo Brush + Rainforest day

Best for: First-timers, families, campers basing at Mungo Brush

One precinct done properly: Bombah Broadwater base, Mungo Rainforest loop, lake edge time, and an honest exit before dark.

Open plan →

Illustrative rocky coastal headland near Seal Rocks / Sugarloaf Point style

Full day

Seal Rocks + Sugarloaf Point day

Best for: Coastal views, whale-season lookouts, heritage lighthouse interest

Coastal headland focus: Seal Rocks Road, Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse precinct, optional short headland walk, early parking plan.

Open plan →

Hole in the Wall picnic area overlooking beach and dunes, Myall Lakes National Park

Full day

Bombah Point ferry circuit

Best for: Self-drive explorers linking lake precincts

For drivers who need the ferry: cash ready, wind backup plan, Boolambayte / Bombah Broadwater stops, no overstuffed multi-park day.

Open plan →

Mungo Brush / Bombah Broadwater lake edge, Myall Lakes National Park

2 days

Lakes + beaches weekend

Best for: Weekend campers and gateway-town stayers

Two-day shape: camp or stay in a gateway town, rainforest and lake on day one, coast or Grandis on day two — leave room for holiday crowds.

Open plan →

The Grandis — tall flooded gum (Eucalyptus grandis), Myall Lakes National Park

Half day

Grandis half-day from the highway

Best for: Through-drivers, families needing a forest stop

Short forest picnic stop near Bulahdelah when you cannot do a full lake day — one stop — do not pile on more.

Open plan →

Half to full day including drive and heat buffers

Yacaaba Headland half-day (fit walkers)

Best for: Fit walkers wanting a Grade 4 coastal headland challenge

Committed headland day on the Hawks Nest side: official ~7 km return, Grade 4, 2.5–3.5 hours walking — plus real drive, water and reverse rules.

Open plan →

Stays & tours for your plan

Book a Mid-North Coast base or browse guided day trips — after you pick an itinerary that fits your group. Kit searches live on the gear page.

Nearby stays

Tea Gardens (primary) · Hawks Nest · Seal Rocks · Bulahdelah

Hotels & stays in Tea GardensSouthern gateway services toward Myall River / Bombah Broadwater
Hawks NestClosest village base for Mungo Brush and beach days
Seal RocksCoastal base for Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse and headland walks
BulahdelahPacific Hwy services hub toward The Grandis
Forster / TuncurryLarger shops and beds north of the lake system [VERIFY options]
NerongHandy lakeside village base near Boolambayte [VERIFY options]

All Booking.com links open in a new tab and may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Park day use is never affiliated. Official NPWS campgrounds book only via NPWS — never affiliated here.

Guided tours

Optional — Port Stephens / coastal days when you want transport handled

A tour does not replace checking NSW National Parks alerts, weather, tides or beach safety yourself.

Some stay, tour and gear links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Park entry fees, the Bombah Point ferry, fishing licences and official NPWS camping bookings are never affiliated. Affiliate disclosure · Privacy

Official resources (verify here)

This website is independent and unofficial. For track status, alerts, entry fees, Bombah Point ferry status, camping bookings and facilities, use NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service sources only:

Official campgrounds (Mungo Brush and others listed by NPWS) and Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse cottages must be booked only via NPWS. The Bombah Point ferry is a separate cash fee. This site never affiliates park entry fees, ferry, fishing licences or official camping bookings.