A

Aboriginal middens - Middens (piles of shells and discarded bones) are scattered throughout the dunes on the north eastern sections of Bennetts Beach. The fenced Dark Point midden site in the Myall Lakes National Park was probably a meeting place for many aboriginal families.
Ancient paperbarks - These trees are featured around the Myall Lakes (melaleuca quinquenevia). Close to the shoreline, they give summer shade and mirror-image reflections in calm weather.

B

Barrington Tops National Park - The Barrington Top National Park offers walks through a declared wilderness area. Lookout over majestic mountains and beech forests.
Boating - There are good launching ramps in Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest with fish cleaning facilities.
Board walk - Leading to the historic fishing village of Tamboi on the Myall River - 7.5km return the board walk over the forest floor features tall Swamp Mahogany, Cabbage Tree Palms & an extensive range of bird life.
Broughton Island - Popular for deep sea fishing and diving, part of the Myall Lakes National Park, the island is ideal for bush walking and picnics.
Bush walking - There are plenty of tracks around Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest which enable you to experience Australia's flora and fauna eg the Myall Area Wild flower Walk, the Mungo Brush Rain forest Walking Trace and the Koala Reserve.

C

Camping - Use any of the commercial or park provided camping sites.
Canoes - Canoes and kayaks can be hired from the Tea Gardens Waterfront.
Craft - Myall Community Art and Craft Centre is located on Myall Street near the Singing Bridge and produces local craft work of a high standard.
Croquet - For something different?? Myall Park, Yamba Street, Hawks Nest 2324
Cruising - Numerous cruises are available daily. Take the Simba on a dolphin watch or ferry trip to Nelson Bay or enjoy an historic ferry ride to Nelson Bay or a leisurely cruise up the river on the Wallamba.
Cycling - Bring your own or hire a bike and cycle around Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest.

D

Deep Sea Diving - Discover the abundant marine life in Port Stephens and off Broughton Island. Contact us to put together a special diving package for you.
Dining - Sample the fine food at one of the waterfront restaurants or cafes at Tea Gardens or enjoy open air dining in Hawks Nest
Dolphin Watching - See the dolphins surf the waves at Bennett's or Jimmy's Beach or take a cruise.

E

Enjoy - Do nothing and just enjoy soaking up the rays.

F

Facilities -

ATM machines are situated in the Tea Gardens Hotel, Tea Gardens local shopping area, Tea Gardens R.S.& C.C.Club, Hawks Nest Golf Club or the Holiday Coast Credit Union situated in the BI-LO shopping area in Tea Gardens.
Bait, tackle and advice are available from The Boatshed on Marine Drive or the Hawks Nest Sports Store.
Church - Anglican, Catholic, Baptist, Assembly of God and Uniting Churches all have regular services.

Fishing - Hire a boat and fish Port Stephens, the Myall River or Myall Lakes. Or throw your rod into the ocean of Bennett's Beach or anywhere along the 40 kilometers of sandy white beach.
4WD - There are five 4WD access routes onto the beach off Mungo Brush Road or take a guided 4WD tour.

G

Gloucester Gold Mine - Tourist Gold Mine, underground tours, gold panning, Rain forest walks & much more...
Hawks Nest Golf Club - A challenging 18 hole all-weather golf course which will really test your golfing ability.
The Grandis - Visit the largest known flooded gum in New South Wales. 'The Grandis'...

H

Hire a catamaran, canoe or surf ski - experience the waterworld of Port Stephens.
Hire a bike - cycle round the area on the many bike tracks provided.
Horse Riding - Explore the area horse-riding with the folk at Great Lakes Farmstay..
Hunter District Botanical Gardens - Stroll through the garden wonderland of the Hunter District Botanical Gardens at Heatherbrae. Enjoy a Devonshire tea afterwards.
Hunter Valley - Hunter Valley and the local wineries are approx 1 hours drive away and make an excellent day trip...hic!!

I

J

K

Koala Reserve - Across the Singing Bridge in Hawks Nest, view the koalas as they feed on their favourite tree, the rough barked Swamp Mahogany.
Kangaroos & Wallabies - Take an early morning or late afternoon drive to Toonang Drive, Shearwater and View the Roos grazing nearby.

L

Look around - From Dolphins under the Singing Bridge to Whales off-shore (in season), just open you eyes and look around, you're sure to see something new every time.

M

Maitland Jail - Explore the penal history of Australia with a tour through Maitland Jail.
Morpeth - Experience the heritage of yesteryear with a trip to historic Morpeth. Taste the home-made fudge and ginger beer, dine on delicious home-baked foods and visit the specialty craft shops.
Mountain Maid Gold Mine - Situated in the valley of the Copeland Creek is the Mountain Maid Gold Mine. It is a working mine and contains memorabilia of the work of the early miners. Guided tours take you deep into the hillside to where gold was extracted.
Myall Lakes National Park - The 'Mungo Track' is a 21 kilometre bush walk which starts at Hawks Nest Surf Club and finishes at the Mungo Brush camping area.
The Myall and Great Lakes - The most expansive brackish lake system on the New South Wales coast. A complex eco-system exists which encourages the breeding and feeding ground for colonies of black swans and water-birds. The lake also provides a haven for wild flowers, rain forests, paperbark forests and dry eucalypt forests.

N

Newcastle - Only 73km away (an easy 50 minute drive).

O

Oysters - The locally caught oysters and prawns here are excellent and are available from most restaurants or the local fishermans co-op situated on the waterfront in Tea Gardens.

P

Pelicans - Can be observed on most poles along the Tea Gardens waterfront and if there is a free feed to be obtained when fishermen are cleaning fish, that is where they will be!
Picnic - Use the day to go off for a picnic, either on the beach National Park or inland.
Pools - The local heated swimming pool (25m) is open from 6am to 6pm October to April. There is a small entrance charge.
Prawns - The Myall prawn is world famous and excellent. It is available at most local restaurants and the Fishermans Co-op on the Tea Gardens waterfront. If you are up for the task you can even attempt to catch your own.

Q

R

Restaurants - Take a waterfront stroll along the Tea Gardens waterfront where there is an array of restaurants serving a variety of cuisine - seafood a specialty. Hawks Nest also has numerous restaurants for you to choose from.

S

Sailing - Enjoy sailing your catamaran in the protected Port Stephens waterways.
Sail-boarding - On the surf beaches there is plenty of opportunity to wave jump and race the wind.
Shopping - A ferry service over to Nelson Bay operates daily
Singing Bridge - The bridge that links Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest gets its name from the whistling sound as wind passes through the rails of the bridge at certain times.
Surfing - The surf beach is at Hawks Nest and is patrolled most weekends and all Summer holidays.
Swimming - The glorious waters of Jimmys beach on the northern shores of Port Stephens where the water is crystal clear.

T

Tennis - There are tennis courts for hire at the Myal Park Oval
Tobwabba Art - 100% Aboriginal owned studio, gallery and cultural keeping place in Forster NSW. Producing vibrant coastal fine art and craft, merchandise and cultural tours.
Tuncurry Fun Park - Fun and exciting rides for all ages. Go Karts, Quad Bikes, Super Karts, Bumper Boats, 2 giant Water slides, Paddle Boats, Aqua Bikes, Canoes, Mini Golf, Merry-go-round, mini Train, Jumping Castle...

U

V

Visitor Information Centre - Near the approaches to the Singing Bridge in Myall Street, Tea Gardens. For all information and brochures on the area and what's to do. A MUST VISIT.

W

Whale Watching - See the migrating whales between May and November. See our Whale Watching packages.
Hunter Valley Wineries - The cool climate of the Hunter Valley has helped to establish it as one of Australia's best wine making regions. The Hunter Valley is home to Tyrrell's Rothbury Estate and Wyndham.

X

Y

Yaccaba Headland & Lookout walk - For a great elevated view of the coast and mountains, walk along the beach southward, then climb the Yaccaba Headland.... it's stunning.

Z

Links to more information

HTTP://www.walkabout.com.au/fairfax/locations/NSWHawksNest.shtml