Tea Gardens

On the water  

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 into the Myall Lakes National Park.  

Lazy Paddles, Hawkes Nest

Rent a barbecue party boat from Tea Gardens BBQ boats and float down the Myall River while enjoying a delicious lunch or dinner prepared on the outdoor kitchen. (Boating license/experience is required). Across the bridge, in the twin town of 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. 

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. 

Tea Gardens BBQ Boats, Tea Gardens - Credit: Kathrine Riley/Tea Gardens BBQ Boats

Galleries & art 

Tea Gardens has attracted a creative community, with local paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics and jewellery on display and for sale at Galleries in the Gardens. 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. 

The Gallery, Galleries in the Gardens, Tea Gardens - Credit: C MacSween/Galleries in the Gardens, Inc.

Food & drink  

Tea Gardens punches well above its weight when it comes to great restaurants and cafes, many of them lining the riverfront. Tillermans is the oldest continually operating restaurant on the North Coast of NSW, with a menu focusing on local produce; while the Tea Gardens Boatshed is a great place for brunch with absolute water views. For seafood, head to Mumm’s on the Myall, a tranquil riverside restaurant, and for baked goods the 2 Fat Bakers Bakery is a local favourite.  

Tea Gardens Boatshed, Teagardens - Credit: Destination Barrington Coast

Where to stay 

Tea Gardens has a number of hotels and motels including Boat House Resort and Tea Garden Motel. In the nearby Myall Lakes National Park are heritage cottages and cabins along with beach and lakeside camping.  

Boat House Resort, Tea Gardens - Credit: Destination Barrington Coast

Getting there  

Tea Gardens is a two hour 30 minute drive north of Sydney and a 45 minute drive from Newcastle Airport, which services all the major Australian cities. Coaches and trains also run from Sydney, via Newcastle. You can make this a memorable stop on a North Coast road trip.