Approximately 3.5 hours north of Sydney, you’ll find Myall Lakes National Park, jam-packed with campsites, walking trails, beaches, fishing spots, 4WD tracks, and freshwater lakes.

Highlights

  • Aboriginal site of significance
  • Hiking over sand dunes
  • Sweeping views
  • Secluded lunch spot

Hiking to Dark Point

Finding a large group of (15!) friends that are all free on the same weekend to go camping is the dream. But everyone camps differently, and I love a bit of a hike. So I dragged my bestie Bronwyn away from the tranquillity of Mungo Brush Campground, to hunt for a trail nearby. So with a bit of reception and a side-of-the-road Google, we headed down towards Dark Point.

Starting at the car park on Mungo Brush Road, the national park sign here explains that the area holds immense cultural history for the Worimi people, and was declared an Aboriginal Site of Significance in 2002. 

 

 

From the car park, the walking trail disappears almost immediately, replaced with towering sand dunes and scrubland. Heading somewhat straight you’ll hear the waves on your left and catch glimpses of the beach as you climb up and over the dunes (easier said than done!). We were lucky that it had rained overnight, so the dunes were a little more solid to hike up than usual.

There’s fencing to keep you from entering the Dark Point Aboriginal Midden Site, however it’s collapsed in some places. Please keep your eyes peeled and do your best to avoid crossing into protected land.

 

The Best Lunch Spot: Dark Point (Little Gibber)

Setting your sites on the headland (known as both Dark Point and Little Gibber) you’ll navigate over to the point separating the two sides of the beach. This area is popular for day trips and fishing, so don’t be surprised to see a row of 4WDs and fishing rods along the coast. Take a breather and enjoy the breeze, but don’t stop here; the scramble along the right side of the rocky headland out to its point is well worth the effort. Bring along some lunch, find a comfy rock to perch on, and take in the sweeping ocean views out to Broughton Island.

 

 

After scrambling down from the headland, the beach on the south side looked calm enough for a little post-lunch dip! Note that these beaches aren’t patrolled and there are some submerged rocks – so take caution. 

To head back, walk along the beach on the north side of the headland and take in the sound of the waves crashing on the thousands of tiny seashells, before cutting back across the dunes to the carpark. Be prepared for the avalanche of sand in your shoes and socks; maybe take them off outside your tent.

If you’re staying another day, why not hike up Mount Yacaaba?

What To Bring

  • Hiking shoes or runners
  • Sunscreen
  • Water
  • A snack or lunch
  • Camera
  • Swimmers

How To Get There

Mungo Brush Campground is a perfect place to park your butt (aka van/tent) for the weekend. Just a 10-minute drive south of the campsite, along Mungo Brush Road, you’ll see signs for the Dark Point walking trail car park. Alternatively, it’s a 15 min drive north from Bennetts Beach.

Activities

  • Hiking
  • Swimming
  • Lunching with a view

Skill Level

Beginner to intermediate. The lack of way-finding and the rock scramble out to the headland make it a little more difficult. Also walking up sand dunes = tiring!

Distance Covered

2.5km return (including the headland scramble). Allow 2 hours if having lunch, longer if swimming.