Pacific Palms

In the heart of the Barrington Coast, Pacific Palms – named after the distinctive cabbage tree palms that line the region – encompasses some of the most beautiful, underrated beaches on the NSW coast. Surfing, boating, kayaking and fishing is a way of life here, with Wallis, Smiths and Myall Lakes on its doorstep as well as three national parks and a marine park.

Watery wonderland

Pacific Palms’ beaches are legendary, each with its own charm and attractions. Relax on white sand at Elizabeth Beach, framed by the green hills of Booti Booti National Park, where you can swim, surf or snorkel. Blueys Beach and Boomerang Beach are great surfing and snorkelling spots.

Cellito Beach, also known as Sandbar, is a great surf beach with sweeping views towards Seal Rocks. Behind the beach, Smiths Lake offers many family friendly water activities. A short drive south will take you to vibrant Seal Rocks, where you’ll find breathtaking views from Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse. You can even book accommodation in the heritage lighthouse keepers’ cottages.

Explore the wilderness

At the north end of Pacific Palms, the spectacular Booti Booti National Park covers a scenic 8km peninsula of beautiful headlands, beaches and rainforest. This is a great place for hiking, swimming, and birdwatching. In winter you can watch whales as they migrate along the coast.

The Booti Hill Lakeside walking track is a spectacular walk that runs along both the ocean and the lake. Starting at Ruins campground, the walk crosses the stunning Seven Mile Beach and climbs the northern side of Booti Hill. There are rest spots along the way, and at Elizabeth Beach you can take a refreshing dip.

In Wallingat National Park, take the trail to Whoota Whoota lookout for spectacular views of the Great Lakes region. Other delightful walks include Sugar Creek trail and Cabbage Palm loop walking track. Mountain biking trails deliver nature’s best here too, with the Southern Boundary trail and Tip to Tail trail.

Dine & relax

Pacific Palms’ main shopping and dining enclave is Boomerang Drive in Blueys Beach, where there are a number of specialty stories and hip cafes that wouldn’t be out of place in a big city. A popular place for sunset over Wallis Lake is Pacific Palms Recreation Club.

Getting there & where to stay

Pacific Palms is just a 3hr 30min drive from Sydney and 35min drive from Taree. Coach services run from Sydney and Newcastle or you can catch the train from Sydney via Newcastle. You can also make this a memorable stop on a North Coast road trip. Fly Pelican currently operates direct flights between Sydney and Taree twice a week.

Accommodation options in Pacific Palms range from beachside resorts, retreats and beach houses to lakeside cottages and camping grounds in national parks. There are lots of campgrounds and camping sites in Myall Lake National Park.