Just a few hours drive north of metropolitan Sydney, the Myall Lakes National Park features wetlands internationally recognised for their diverse flora and fauna. It also offers space for contemplation of this incredibly beautiful area, which holds a special spiritual significance for the local indigenous Worimi people.
The call of the Whistling Kite is for me, synonymous with some of our favourite bush camping sites on the shores of the Myall Lakes. These raptors, usually found close to major bodies of fresh water, are common here and their distinctive cries echo through landscapes which exist largely as in pre-colonial times.
Full details, Myall Lakes National Park, NSW: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/myall-lakes-national-park
You can be lucky and find days of immense stillness here, as the wrinkled roots of gothic Paperbarks lie reflected in glimmering, reedy pools. Take a kayak and paddle across shallow bays, glimpsing underwater thickets, rich feeding for the waterfowl that make the lakes their home. Go quietly, and you’ll probably see White Bellied Sea Eagles and perhaps Ospreys closer than you might have hoped. Without noise and dogs (no pets allowed in the park) to chase them, the animals in the park seem more approachable than those outside. We’ve had wild ducks come to investigate our camp, and waddle right through, unscared. Flighty Splendid Blue Wrens have come to battle their reflected selves in the mirrors of our parked up 4WD. Large Goannas have come to wrestle right in front of us, as we watched enthralled. And one early morning a Wallaby joined us for a swim, though it was much braver than I was and carried on right across the lake.
Some of park campsites are busier than others – usually those sites with boat ramps, or beach access, and all sites will be busier during school holiday periods, of course. However, if you can manage to steal away during the week, or during the cooler times of the year, you could be lucky enough to find plenty of space to yourself. Kick back, relax, and inhale the magic of this very special place, a maze of connected waterways and lakes, surrounded by wetlands and forest and rich with wildlife and flowers.
Note that only some sites allow campfires (important in those cooler times of the year) and some have been closed temporarily because of extreme weather conditions. There are no facilities available apart from basic drop toilets – so you’ll need to be self-sufficient. You can check conditions and book a site before you go, on the NP website.
Full details, Myall Lakes National Park, NSW: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/myall-lakes-national-park
