
Hawks Nest is on the Mid-North Coast of NSW, right across the banks of the Myall River from Tea Gardens. Surrounded by stunning beaches, scenic coastlines and native wildlife and bushland, it's a must-visit destination for anyone looking to get in touch with nature and unwind.
To take the hassle out of travel planning, we've mapped out your options below – all you need to do is decide what to pack!
You can find your way to Hawks Nest by exiting the Pacific Highway onto Myall Way and driving 15 minutes, passing through Tea Gardens. If you're flying in, the nearest major airport is Newcastle Airport, and long-distance coaches also service the area, though you'll need a car to explore the region properly.

Here are the key transport options: car, bus, plane, train, bike, and foot. Whatever your preferred mode of transport, you'll find options to reach Hawks Nest and explore the area.
Love a road trip? Driving is by far the most practical way to reach Hawks Nest, which is approx 215 km north of Sydney (2.5 to 3 hours in the car via the M1/Pacific Highway). Having your own vehicle is a very good idea once you arrive, as the area is fairly spread out, especially if you plan to check out Myall Lakes National Park, Broughton Island, and the surrounding beaches.
Speaking of road trip, if you're driving this way, here are some of the popular departure towns and how far they are from Hawks Nest:
Buses do run to Hawks Nest, but services are limited. A few local buses connect to other nearby towns (like the 152 Newcastle to Hawks Nest bus), and Premier Motor Service operates a daily coach linking the area to Sydney via Karuah, taking around 3.5 to 4 hours. Bus is a viable option for getting to Hawks Nest, but the infrequent schedule and lack of onward local transport make getting around hard without booking a hire car on arrival.
The closest airport is Newcastle Airport (NTL) at Williamtown, around 58 km and roughly 45 minutes' drive from Hawks Nest, with regular flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and other domestic routes. From the airport, you'll need to hire a car or arrange a private transfer, as there's no direct public transport connecting the airport to Hawks Nest.
There's no direct train service to Hawks Nest. However, the most practical rail-assisted route is to take NSW Trainlink from Sydney to Newcastle, then hire a car or arrange onward transport for the remaining 80 kilometres to Hawks Nest.
Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens are genuinely enjoyable to explore by bike once you're there, with a dedicated bike path running over the iconic Singing Bridge connecting the two towns. Cycling to Hawks Nest from further away is possible for dedicated riders as the Pacific Highway corridor and Great Lakes Way have roadside riding. The highway sections are busy and not particularly scenic, however, so most cyclists bring their bikes on a car or bus rather than riding the full distance.
Once you're here, Hawks Nest is very walkable, especially the town centre, Bennetts Beach, Jimmy's Beach, and the Singing Bridge crossing to Tea Gardens. There are also walks and hikes to tackle on a day out that take you through coastal forests and up to headlands to get a better view of the magical Barrington Coast.

Award-winning Hawks Nest Beach (also known as Bennetts Beach) is the most popular and easily accessed beach in the Myall River precinct of the Barrington Coast. The southern end of the beach is known as The Dolphins Playground and has surf suitable for both board riders and body surfers.
The Hawks Nest Surf Club lies three kilometres from Yacaaba Headland, at the southern end. There is a rugged track to the top of Yaccaba which offers stunning views north and south.
This beach is patrolled.
Dogs can be walked on leads only, between certain times on this beach and Yacaaba.

Just an hour north of Newcastle, Hawks Nest Golf Club is a hidden gem, offering a perfect blend of championship-level golf and breathtaking natural beauty. Situated on the stunning Mid-North Coast, our 18-hole all-weather course is renowned for its immaculate greens, coastal charm, and ability to challenge and delight players of all skill levels.
The clubhouse provides the perfect setting for any occasion, whether you're planning a celebration, a corporate event, or a wedding. With panoramic views of the course and the surrounding natural landscape, it's a space that combines elegance with comfort.
Easily accessible from Sydney, Newcastle, and Port Stephens, Hawks Nest is the ideal destination for golfers and leisure seekers alike. With a range of nearby accommodation options, you can take advantage of our Stay'n'Play packages or explore our tailored Group Golf packages.
Adding to the experience is our new dining destination, Sando's Café and Restaurant. Offering a unique blend of modern coastal cuisine infused with fresh and exciting flavours. Sando's welcomes both members and visitors to enjoy exceptional dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients, served in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.
Whether you're enjoying a day on the green, savouring exceptional dining, or celebrating life's special moments, Hawks Nest Golf Club promises an unforgettable experience.

You may have heard (if you haven’t – where have you been?) that Reflections Hawks Nest has the recent addition of a phenomenal, huge, heated year-round swimming pool! To celebrate the pool, and how usable it is in winter, we partnered with HUNTERHunter to send Reflections staff member, Sweeby and her kids, Lily and Thomas, up to Reflections Hawks Nest, to experience the pool, luxe new villas and everything that this epic location has to offer first-hand and give us the low down…

The Myall River is one of several beautiful rivers born in the hinterland of the Barrington Coast. Between the towns of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest, the river is crossed by the famous Singing Bridge, whose railings play mournful sounds during strong winds, acting as a wind harp.
The Jean Shaw Koala Reserve is located at its northeastern end, part of a wildlife corridor to the Myall Lakes. Koalas have been known to cross the bridge at night.
The Myall River is renowned for its calm scenic beauty that's perfect for boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, swimming and scenic cruises.

The Myall River is one of several beautiful rivers born in the hinterland of the Barrington Coast. As their crystal clear waters tumble from the rugged peaks, they breathe life into the land; for this is the Barrington Coast - a place where the leaves touch the waters from the mountains to the sea.
The Myall River is renowned for its calm scenic beauty, perfect for boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, swimming and scenic cruises.
It's formed in the Kyle Range near Stroud, flows south-eastwards for 92 kilometres and descends 355 metres before joining the bay of Port Stephens at Hawks Nest.
After flowing past the town of Bulahdelah, the Myall River enters the Bombah Broadwater, which is the most southern lake of the three Ramsar-protected Myall Lakes within the Myall Lakes National Park.
Between the towns of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest, the Myall River is crossed by the famous Singing Bridge, whose railing plays mournful sounds during strong winds, acting as a wind

Fascinating Mungo walking track, in Myall Lakes National Park, is a feast for the body, mind, and senses. A delightful collection of walks combine to create this absorbing track which joins Mungo Brush campground on the shores of Bombah Broadwater to Hawks Nest. It’s a long yet easy walk, taking in some important Aboriginal and post-colonial heritage sites, landforms, and diverse vegetation.
Set out towards the Myall River along Tamboi walking track arriving at the historic Tamboi village. Continuing south, meander along old sand dunes on historic mining routes, passing a part of the track between Brambles Green campground and Dark Point Aboriginal Place which is known for its splendid display of colourful wildflowers.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can do it all in one day, or else break it into smaller sections, savour the delights and camp overnight. Alternatively, it’s a great track for mountain biking with a refreshing lake swim at Mungo Brush to round off your cycle.
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Hawks Nest is the southern gateway to the Barrington Coast on the Mid-North Coast of NSW. It sits right across the Myall River from Tea Gardens, and its headland is where Port Stephens Bay meets the Pacific Ocean.
Hawks Nest is roughly 215 km from Sydney (about a 2.5 to 3-hour drive) via the M1/Pacific Highway. Factor in extra time during school holidays when the highway gets congested, and allow for a pit stop along the way, like Newcastle, which is a good halfway point.
The local government area that Hawks Nest is part of is the MidCoast Council. Covering a diverse landscape of more than 10,000 square kms, it's home to 195 towns, villages and localities.
The Great Lakes Way approach and Myall Road can both be affected by flooding. If you're travelling after significant rainfall, check the regularly updated Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Community Noticeboard Facebook group before you leave to get the latest info on current conditions.
Yes – Hawks Nest is one of the best off-highway detours on the Sydney-to-Queensland coastal run. The short deviation via Karuah adds only a small amount of time, but delivers beaches, national park, and a very different feel to the highway towns.














Whether you're after a cabin to share with your partner, a campsite for the RV, or a glamping tent for a girls' weekend, you'll find it at Reflections Hawks Nest. Stay for a weekend or stay for a long while to enjoy the amenities and all that this beautiful part of Australia has to offer.
You can also book into nearby Reflections Jimmys Beach for a change of scenery, or if spots are booked out in Hawks Nest.