Tea Gardens

The twin town of the oceanfront Hawks Nest and the gateway to the Barrington Coast, the charming riverside village of Tea Gardens adds a touch of sophistication to a classic beach holiday with its strip of restaurants, cafes and galleries displaying the works of local artists inspired by the natural beauty of its stunning waterways.

Pelicans at Tea Gardens with Myall Coast Tours

River life

The Myall River, spanned by the ‘singing bridge’ that leads to Hawks Nest, is great for fishing and boating. Grab a paddle and explore by a kayak hired from Lazy Paddles, or take a guided tour. The secluded Black Oaks picnic area is a gorgeous spot to stop for lunch on a paddling trip. In the spectacular Myall Lakes National Park, take a boat trip to sandy Broughton Island, home to the only campground in NSW where you can camp among a seabird colony.

Broughton Island, Myall Lakes in Forster & Taree Area, North Coast

For a scenic and affordable day trip, jump on the Port Stephens Ferry Service which departs daily from Tea Gardens to Nelson Bay, where you can take dolphin watching cruises year round or go whale watching between May and November. Across the bridge in Hawks Nest, there are kilometres of beautiful beaches to relax on, including Bennett’s Beach on the Pacific Ocean side, and tranquil Jimmys Beach on the bay.

Mungo Brush - beach in Myall Lakes National Park near Tea Gardens

Inspired by nature

Tea Gardens has attracted a creative community, with local paintings, drawings, ceramics and jewellery on display at The Gallery and the Myall Community Arts and Crafts Centre (behind the Visitor Information Centre). The Myall River Art Walk also features 25 installations and sculptures scattered throughout Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest, an initiative to encourage and foster local talent.

A diverse array of artworks by Galleries in the Gardens members in Tea Gardens, Forster & Taree, North  Coast

Eat, drink & be merry

Tiny Tea Gardens punches well above its weight when it comes to great restaurants and cafes, many of them lining the riverfront. The oldest continually operating restaurant on the North Coast of NSW, Tillermans is an icon with a menu focusing on local produce; while the Tea Gardens Boatshed is a great place for brunch view absolute water views.

Myall River at Tea Gardens - Forster and Taree Area

Getting there & where to stay

Perfect for a beachside escape or family holiday, Tea Gardens is less than three hours’ drive north of Sydney and just 40min from Newcastle Airport. Coach services also run from Sydney via Newcastle. You can also make this a memorable stop on a North Coast road trip.

Accommodation options in Tea Gardens range from motels to beachside holiday parks and camping grounds. You’ll find plenty of camping options, with the alluring attractions of the beautiful Myall Lakes National Park right on the doorstep.

Newcastle Airport

Fly into Newcastle Airport

Newcastle Airport is only 25km from the city centre. Choose from a range of transport services on arrival, including car rental, limousine and door-to-door shuttle buses. Public buses operate from the airport to the city, Stockton Ferry Wharf, Nelson Bay, Greenhills and Raymond Terrace. There are also public transport options to the Hunter Valley. Please check the timetable.

Newcastle Airport offers direct flights to and from east coast cities and Adelaide.

Jetstar flies direct to and from Melbourne, the Gold Coast, and Brisbane. QantasLink operates direct flights to and from Brisbane. Virgin Australia flies direct to and from Brisbane and Melbourne. Link Airways operates direct flights between Canberra and Newcastle three days a week. FlyPelican operates direct flights to and from Adelaide, Dubbo, Mudgee, Ballina-Byron Bay, Canberra and Sydney. Regional Express also flies to and from Sydney.

Things to Do and Places to Stay

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