Across the Singing Bridge

Hawks Nest/Bennetts Beach/Jimmys Beach

Hawks Nest is the beach town on the northern side of the Myall River, with Bennetts Beach on the ocean. Tea Gardens, where the house is, sits on the southern side. You cross by the Singing Bridge. Barrington Coast describes Hawks Nest as an entry into Myall Lakes National Park: lakes, coastal forest, beaches and a large dune system, running on toward Seal Rocks.

From the house, Hawks Nest is a five-minute drive, or you can walk: the Myall River is a one-minute walk away, and from there a beautiful riverside pathway runs past cafes, restaurants, a bakery and the well-known Boatshed restaurant to the Singing Bridge and over to Hawks Nest.

Bennetts Beach is the ocean beach, backed by dunes, and its southern end is patrolled, so check the flags before anyone swims. Jimmys Beach is the calm bay beach on the Port Stephens side: sheltered, popular for picnics and particularly family friendly, and easily accessible parts of it are dog friendly. Plenty of families do both, with the ocean in the morning and the bay when they want calmer water.

Yacaaba Headland

Yacaaba is the headland between Hawks Nest and Port Stephens. NSW National Parks rates the headland walk as hard, about 7 kilometres return, and the track is currently open only as far as a viewing point. Check the National Parks alerts page before you go. Park entry fees apply, as the headland is part of Myall Lakes National Park.

Before a beach day

• Look at the patrol flags on Bennetts Beach before swimming in the ocean.
• Jimmys Beach is the sheltered option. It is still a beach, with its own conditions.
• The headland walk is partly closed. Read the live alert.
• Park entry fees apply inside Myall Lakes National Park ($8 per vehicle per day when last checked).
• Dogs are not permitted in the national park. If you are travelling with a dog, sort that before you leave home. The house record does not list pets as welcome.

Hawks Nest also has places to eat and Hawks Nest Golf Club, an all-weather course. The agency can add a round through its Stay N Play note. Tea Gardens, the riverside village you are staying in, is just back across the Singing Bridge.