Things to do in Hawks Nest

THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Hawks Nest

Things to Do in Hawks Nest

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Top Attractions in Hawks Nest

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What travellers are saying

  • Ali Hassanein
    Sydney, Australia33 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Had the most beautiful weekend for Mother's Day at Jimmy's beach in their new cabins. The interior of the cabins are so beautifully decorated and feel very calm and peaceful. The service was excellent, the cabins were the best I've ever stayed in and I would highly recommend a stay in the new cabin. Next time, I want to try out the glamping tents ! Thank you Jimmy's, such a gorgeous area even in the rain !
    Written 4 June 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • EllaDee011
    Macksville, Australia577 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful beach with fantastic coastal views. Easy access from multiple points near surf club, via caravan park and vehicular track near golf club. Dog friendly off leash north away from surf club.
    Written 24 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • EllaDee011
    Macksville, Australia577 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great multi-purpose spot. Reserve area with parking, toilets, shady trees, playground and covered seating areas for play, picnics & bbqs (provided) and river fishing. Walking track around bay.
    Written 24 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mairwen1
    United Kingdom12,096 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Yacaaba Headland is a short but challenging walk, with great views at the very top. It starts off as a moderately steep uphill walk but as you get closer to the summit, the track gets steeper and rockier.
    STARTING POINT:
    The trail starts at the far southern end of the main beach at Hawks Nest. To get there, we walked along the beach from the surf club (which involved significant legwork). A shorter option would have been to drive to Jimmy’s Beach Caravan Park, take the path down to Jimmys Beach and cut through the dunes. This brings you quite close to to Mt Yacaaba. A large green sign (see photo) marks the start of the sandy, dirt path that leads to the first lookout point.
    MID-LEVEL POINT:
    This first half of the walk is through dense, natural bushland and is relatively easy. When you reach the first lookout, you have a birds-eye view down over both Bennetts and Jimmys beaches. You could stop here, (especially if you have kids with you), but if you want to get the best views over Port Stephens and Shoal Bay as well, then you’ll need to continue on to the summit.
    CONTINUING TO THE TOP:
    The second half of the trail is a lot rougher and tougher going. A sign warns that the path is ‘unformed’. This is an understatement. It is rocky and involves some scrambling. Occasionally I needed to use my hands to make my way up. The odd tree root can trip you up but fortunately the rocks are mostly large and well embedded, and not loose or likely to fall. The dirt paths are also mostly well-compacted and not generally slippery or gravelly. I found descending was trickier than going up because I had to keep my eyes on my feet to avoid tripping or twisting an ankle.
    AVOIDING A WRONG TURN:
    Most importantly make sure to keep your eye out for a point where the path curves up to the left. It’s easy to miss this and take the wrong path, like we did. We weren’t the only ones either. We met another couple at the top who’d just done the same thing. If you do end up going the wrong way, you’ll realise quite quickly because the path becomes harder and harder to distinguish and eventually it just peters out until you are left bushbashing. Unfortunately there’s no real marker to keep you on the right track. Later, I looked for anything that might be distinctive but there was nothing so you just have to watch for the point where it veers uphill and to the left.
    THE SUMMIT:
    It is worth noting that when you reach the summit, don’t stop at the very first view of Shoal Bay. A flat trail, about 100 metres long, leads to a second much better lookout. From here you can see John Gould Island, Shoal Bay and Tomaree Point as well as both Jimmys and Bennetts Beaches. It’s a wide view but growth is pretty dense at the top so you don’t have a completely panoramic outlook. I’d imagined a 360 degree, but its definitely not that.
    PLANNING AHEAD:
    The walk is about 1.5 km one way. Allow somewhere between 2 - 3 hours. We took about 2 1/2 hours but we weren’t rushing. Overall, the trail is shady and is protected by tall trees and dense bushland but a hat and sunscreen is still helpful. Take plenty of water as there is nowhere to re-fill a bottle.
    Written 16 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mairwen1
    United Kingdom12,096 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a highlight of our Hawks Nest trip. There are giant, white sand dunes for kids to slide down, a rocky headland to explore, rock pools and a pristine beach which, (outside of peak holiday times) you can have entirely to yourself.
    It takes some effort to get here but, once here, you are in a secluded and beautiful spot where you can stay for several hours. Basically you can stay for as long as your supplies hold out. You’ll need to take everything in with you (including water) as there are no nearby facilities and very little shade. We took a small baby weber BBQ which was fantastic.
    Most people will drive in along the beach. 4WD access is via a road beside the Hawks Nest Golf Course (although you can hike in across the dunes via a more northern point). By car, it’s a fun 20 minute trip along the sand to the far north end of the beach. It can be a little hairy at times and bumpy and you cannot afford to forget about the tides for the return trip. Sand driving can be tricky and there are some pitfalls, the main one being forgetting to reduce your tyre pressures and getting bogged. It helps if you can go with someone who’s done it before.
    Declared an Aboriginal Site of Significance in 2002, Little Gibber was a gathering place for the Worimi people for over 4000 years. Somewhere along here in 1790, four convicts escaped and were shipwrecked at Hawks Nest but survived because they were looked after by the Worimi. However by the early 1800s, the development of logging and cattle farming increasingly displaced the Worimi people from their land. Sacred sites and hunting grounds were lost, natural food supplies were exhausted and continued conflict led to massacres and harsh legislation. Today you may see some signs and fencing in the dunes to protect the remnants of Aboriginal middens.
    NOTES:
    * Permits are required to drive on the beach
    * There are no patrols or SLS flags
    * Avoid dingoes
    Written 23 March 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mairwen1
    United Kingdom12,096 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of several walking trails through the Myall Lakes National Park, this one is unique in that it takes you through a rare pocket of coastal littoral rainforest.
    It’s a particularly good track for families because it is a relatively short, 1.5km long path which will take less than an hour.
    STARTING POINT: The walk starts at the far end of Mungo Brush campground and is clearly marked by a long green wooden sign. A looped trail, it brings you right back to your starting point. Before you head off, check out the large information boards in the Mungo Brush campground. They have maps of the various trails and information on the local wildlife, birds and plants that you may see along the way. A couple of the information panels focus on the Rainforest Walk.
    THE TRAIL: The path is a dirt, bushland track. Overall, it’s fairly flat and level. There are no steep climbs or tricky parts, making it easily manageable for kids. However keep an eye out for occasional sneaky tree roots which can catch you unaware and trip you up. I’d also recommend covered shoes, rather than sandals, thongs or flip flops. The rainforest canopy keeps it very shaded, offering good protection from the sun.
    WHAT TO SEE: The rainforest itself is pretty dense and is dominated by giant cabbage palms and strangler figs. Ropy vines hung across the path, almost as if they had been draped like tinsel. A couple of vines draped so low that you could sit on them like swings.
    At one point, we saw some unusual blue-black, plum-like fruit carpeting the ground which we took to be the pine plum, a native bush-tucker tree.
    Although there are a lot of different types of birds, we didn’t manage to see any but our large group was probably too noisy and scared them off.
    TIPS: It is worth noting that the signs along the path weren’t always clear, especially at the critical fork in the path. We missed the part that would have looped us back to the start. Instead we accidentally continued on a side track which led to Dee’s Corner. It was not a long diversion and Dee’s Corner is a very scenic spot but we did have to double back on ourselves.
    PICNIC: It is worth noting that the Mungo Brush campground has BBQs and lovely picnic areas beside the river. You’ll have to bring all supplies and food with you. We kept it simple and took a thermos, bread rolls, salad and a BBQ chicken and spread out our picnic blanket at the waters edge - perfect.
    OVERALL: if you are staying at the holiday towns of Hawks Nest or Tea Gardens, this is a nice drive and a very nice half day outing if you need a break from the beach.
    Written 22 March 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • EllaDee011
    Macksville, Australia577 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lots of parking, space, shade, seating barbeques and a great kids playground. Toilets and viewing platform for the beach out to the islands nearby.
    Written 6 April 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mairwen1
    United Kingdom12,096 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Don’t expect a paved track or even a marked trail here. The National Parks website warns that the track is ‘unformed’. It certainly is. You pretty much have to make your own way overland, through very large sand dunes. It’s secluded and off the beaten track.
    It will take about 15-20 minutes and the destination is worth it.
    You will find the trail head at the Dark Point carpark (look for a side road off Mungo Brush Rd - it is signposted). At the start, you'll see several signs including an interesting information board about aboriginal heritage in the area.
    A short sandy path leads up to the top, where the dunes begin. From here, you’re on your own.
    The dunes are quite a dramatic landscape. These are large, white, sandy, mountain-like dunes. At the start, it’s sand for as far as you can see. There were some kids sliding down them on body boards but other than that, we didn’t see anyone else.
    Look out for a fence line and try to aim for that. The fence marks out some aboriginal middens.
    The area is culturally and historically significant for the Worimi People. Although we couldn’t see the middens from behind the fence (and you're not allowed to go beyond it), there was a sign with some detailed information about the types of stone tools that are found in the middens and the types of shells and fish remains that are evidence of large feasts.
    If you follow the fence to the beach, you will arrive at the rocky headland of Dark Point, which was a gathering place for the Worimi for over 4000 years. It is also known locally as Little Gibber and was declared an Aboriginal Site of Significance in 2002.
    Either side are two beautiful and isolated beaches. On the northern side is Mungo Beach and on the south, is the very far end of Bennetts Beach. The island that you see just off the coast is Broughton Island.
    NOTE: The tricky thing about this walk is finding your way back to the car park path. It’s surprisingly hard to retrace your steps across the dunes and windswept sand. You start to understand how it all went so badly wrong for Burke and Wills. We left a few sticks as markers along the way to help us.
    Written 23 April 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mairwen1
    United Kingdom12,096 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A beautiful little riverside park, with a small sandy area, a boat ramp, a jetty which is a popular fishing spot and a playground.
    The playground has one of the best views around, looking right out across the Myall River. Some of the equipment is even designed with window-like holes that frame the view. The equipment is set in a giant sand pit area and includes swings and climbing equipment with a short tunnel and a curved slide.
    Small kids can paddle in the water by the small patch of sand however its best to keep to this sandy area because the muddier area near the mangroves, has oyster shells which can leave nasty cuts.
    A fun feature for kids is the pelicans. You will almost always find several pelicans here, either resting on the jetty or strutting along the patch of sand beside the river. They seem quite unflustered by having people nearby and are fun to watch. The park is often referred to on local maps as Pelican Park.
    Written 19 April 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mairwen1
    United Kingdom12,096 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dee’s Corner is one of a number of small picnic and camping areas hidden deep inside the Myall Lakes National Park. With 40km of beaches, pristine bushland and one of the largest coastal lake systems in NSW, the Myall Lakes Park covers a lot of ground. Within this vast area, Dees Corner feels like a secret kind of place, undiscovered by others.
    It is a tiny, secluded spot, sitting right on the waterfront, on the edge of Bombah Broadwater. Paperbark gums stretch out over the water - it’s very picturesque.
    We stumbled across Dee’s Corner when we took a wrong turn on our bush walk but you can drive in and there is parking available.
    There are limited facilities - a toilet (non-flush), a picnic table and wood BBQ. Be aware that you will need to take everything in with you (including water) as there is nowhere nearby to get supplies.
    From here, you are close to the Bombah Point ferry and the beach is easily accessed by crossing Mungo Brush Rd and walking along the short forest track and over the sand dunes.
    You can also link into several hiking and walking trails including the Mungo Rainforest Walk, the Tamboi Boardwalk and the Mungo Walking Track.
    Overall this is a very small and quiet but pretty spot. If you are bushwalking, it’s a very scenic stop. However if you are planning a picnic, I preferred the nearby Mungo Camping ground, which also is on the waterfront but is a much larger area with more tables and BBQs.
    Written 21 March 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • JournoNsw
    NSW96 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    "We never open on Mondays". Then why does your website and Facebook say open for lunch and dinner 7 days? Please fix. Any 12 year old can do the job.
    First the good news. The vegetarian lasagnewith chips and a small salad on special was quite nice. But fairly limited menu. Sitting outside on the terrace a pleasant spot.
    Prawns and oyster plate on the menu not available. On Valentine's Day!!!
    One gets the impression they make so much money in holiday periods they do not need to try too hard.
    Bar staff very pleasant and efficient.
    Written 19 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Bikash B
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Katrina helped us easily understand how to kayak as beginners and reassured us that we would have fun. After a brief but thorough demonstration on how to kayak we set off into the water. It was a great experience and I highly recommend it for everyone visiting the area even if you're a beginner.

    Written 27 April 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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