Hawks Nest (NSW) Day paddles – Lower Myall River

Here is one of a couple of kayak paddles around Hawks Nest, which is on the northern shore of Port Stephens on the NSW mid north coast. The photos come from winter paddles, although I have done them in all seasons.

Tea Gardens and the Lower Myall River

This paddle explores the lower Myall River as far as the Myall River Camp.

Put in on the river at the boat ramp.

**Paddle lower Myall River, past Tea Gardens to Myall River Camp and back.**

I paddled past the old boiler from a wreck and past moored boats and explored the small side creek at Hawks Nest.

**Old boiler and Pelicans amongst the moored boats**.

Under the bridge to Tea Gardens on the left bank, and more pelicans on a remaining drogher wreck.

Again there was a decent head wind blowing, so it was paddle up the river in the lee of the mangrove islands to reach the quieter water where the river closed in. Then around a few bends to reach the Myall River camp which is in a little enclave in the sanctuary zone.

Coming back I explored the bays on the eastern side of the river. Its often only 40 or 50 cm deep here and there are lots of black swans. Came back to Tea Gardens via Swan Bay on the river.

**Black swans in the shallow eastern river bays.**

Then back to the starting point.