The Beaches

The two main beaches at Hawks Nest are Bennett’s Beach (an ocean-side beach popular with surfers and swimmers alike) and Jimmy’s Beach (a port-side beach that offers the calmer waters of Port Stephens).

North of Hawks Nest the beaches stretch as far as Seal Rocks and beyond. However, these beaches are isolated and unpatrolled and people should take extreme care in this area.

Hawks Nest beach is a 5 minute stroll from the Hawks Nest shops while Jimmy’s beach is a 10 minute walk.

Fun Facts

Hawks Nest Fun Facts

1. The Singing Bridge built over the Myall River between Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens ‘sings’ when there is a strong south-west wind.

2. The Jean Shaw Koala Reserve is located at the Northeast of the Singing Bridge. Perhaps the Koalas cross the bridge to visit their families for a picnic.

3. Matt Lauder, designed the local golf course. He was a professional golfer and the nephew of Sir Harry Lauder, a Scottish singer and comedian who was knighted in 1919.

4. Public transport to Hawks Nest is available daily.

5. The name Hawks Nest came from the navigational marker for the entrance to Port Stephens which was the large nest of a hawk.

6. Hawks' nests are made from pine needles, sticks, bark, and soft leaves and can be 70-90cm wide!

7. You can enjoy a picnic and views over Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens from the Lions Park Lookout on Myall Way (Tea Gardens Road).

8. The local Worimi people welcomed five shipwrecked convicts in 1790 who they believed were ancestors returning from the dead (explains their pale skin). They were the first Europeans to arrive in the area.