Public Toilets in Hawks Nest, NSW
4 toilet locations mapped across Hawks Nest — the twin town with Tea Gardens on the Myall River where the bridge sings in the wind. Wild koalas in the eucalypts, dolphins in the river, Jimmy's Beach for safe family swimming, and Bennetts Beach for proper surf. Population 2,000, which is exactly why it's this good. Every dunny in both towns sorted.
Interactive Toilet Map
4 facilities available in Hawks Nest
📍 Street View
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Click on a toilet marker to see the street view
Where Are You?
Hawks Nest is tiny — you can walk the whole village in 15 minutes. Here's the closest dunny for wherever you're at.
Swimming at Jimmy's Beach
Jimmy's Beach toilets
Right by the car park. Accessible. The calm water beach on the Port Stephens side.
Jimmy's Beach is the sheltered side — calm, clear water on Port Stephens harbour. No surf, no rips. Perfect for families with little kids. The toilet block is near the eastern car park. Dolphins sometimes swim right past the beach.
Surfing Bennetts Beach
Hawks Nest Beach toilets
Near the surf club. The ocean side with proper waves.
Bennetts Beach (Hawks Nest Beach) is the ocean side — exposed to swell with good surf. The beach stretches south for kilometres. Toilet block near the surf club. Swim between the flags — rips can be serious here.
Walking the Singing Bridge
Myall River Foreshore toilets
Hawks Nest side of the bridge. Accessible. Near the river and dolphin spotting area.
The Singing Bridge connects Hawks Nest to Tea Gardens across the Myall River. On windy days the bridge hums and sings through its cables. The foreshore toilets are on the Hawks Nest side. Watch for dolphins in the river channel — they're regulars.
Koala spotting
Bennett Park or any village toilet
Koalas are throughout the village trees. The toilets are everywhere you need them.
Hawks Nest's wild koala colony lives in the eucalyptus trees around the village. Drive slowly (especially between Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens) and look up into the tree forks. Early morning and late afternoon are best. Bennett Park is near several known koala trees.
Fishing the Myall River
Myall River Foreshore toilets
River fishing access right near the foreshore. Bream, flathead, whiting.
The Myall River is excellent fishing — bream, flathead, and whiting in the estuary. Fish from the foreshore banks or hire a tinny from Tea Gardens marina. The foreshore toilets are right where the fishing spots are.
Myall Lakes camping
Use Hawks Nest toilets before heading out
Myall Lakes National Park is nearby. Basic facilities only in the park.
Myall Lakes National Park stretches north from Hawks Nest. Bush camping at Mungo Brush, Violet Hill, and The Ruins. Basic pit toilets at camping areas. Use Hawks Nest's proper facilities before heading into the park.
Hawks Nest vs Tea Gardens
Twin towns on opposite sides of the Myall River, connected by the Singing Bridge. Different vibes, same relaxed pace.
Hawks Nest
- Ocean beaches — Bennetts Beach for surf
- Jimmy's Beach — calm water on Port Stephens
- Myall Lakes National Park access
- 4 public toilet locations
- Wild koalas in the village trees
- Fewer restaurants and shops than Tea Gardens
Tea Gardens
- Marina and waterfront restaurants
- River frontage — kayaking, SUP, fishing
- More dining and shopping options
- Ferry to Nelson Bay (seasonal)
- Public toilets at the marina and main street
- No ocean beach — river and harbour only
Things to Do in Hawks Nest
Twin towns on the Myall River with a combined population of about 2,000. Koalas in the trees, dolphins in the river, and the Singing Bridge connecting it all. This is the quiet side of Port Stephens.
The Singing Bridge Walk
Walk across the bridge between Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens. Listen for the hum on windy days. Great views of the Myall River. Free and quirky.
Koala Spotting Drive
Drive slowly between Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens, looking up into the eucalyptus trees. One of NSW's healthiest wild koala colonies. Morning and afternoon best.
Jimmy's Beach Swimming
Sheltered beach on Port Stephens harbour. Calm, clear water. Perfect for families and kids. Dolphins often visible from the sand.
Bennetts Beach Surfing
Long surf beach stretching south for kilometres. Consistent swell. Less crowded than most south coast beaches. Walk south for empty breaks.
Myall Lakes National Park
Coastal lakes, bush camping, and the Mungo Brush rainforest walk. One of NSW's most pristine lake systems. Canoeing and kayaking paradise.
Dolphin Watching
Bottlenose dolphins in the Myall River channel. Watch from the Singing Bridge, the foreshore, or Jimmy's Beach. No boat needed — they come to you.
Tea Gardens Marina
Cross the Singing Bridge to Tea Gardens for waterfront dining, the marina, and boat hire. Fish and chips on the river. The social side of the twin towns.
Winda Woppa Beach Walk
Walk around Winda Woppa peninsula from Jimmy's Beach. Secluded beaches, bush tracks, and views across Port Stephens. 3km return.
Where to Stay in Hawks Nest
Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens have accommodation from camping to waterfront apartments. A quieter alternative to Nelson Bay for Port Stephens holidays.
Jimmy's Beach Area
Holiday houses and apartments near Jimmy's Beach. Walk to calm water swimming and the village. Premium area in Hawks Nest. $150-350/night.
Nearest dunny: Jimmy's Beach toilets (accessible, parking).
Myall Shores Holiday Park
NRMA holiday park on the Myall River. Cabins, camping, powered sites. Kayak hire, pool, playground. Walk to the Singing Bridge. Great for families.
Nearest dunny: On-site + Myall River foreshore toilets.
Tea Gardens
Waterfront motels and holiday units near the marina. More restaurants and shops than Hawks Nest. Walk across the Singing Bridge to the beaches.
Nearest dunny: Tea Gardens marina facilities + Hawks Nest via the bridge.
Getting to Hawks Nest
Drive
From Sydney: 2.5 hours north via the Pacific Highway and Myall Way (200km). From Newcastle: 1 hour north (80km).
From Nelson Bay: 35 minutes via Lemon Tree Passage. Free parking at all beaches.
Ferry
Seasonal passenger ferry from Tea Gardens to Nelson Bay (check availability). A scenic alternative to driving around through Lemon Tree Passage.
No train service to Hawks Nest. Car is essential for exploring the area.
Toilet Stops on the Drive
From Sydney via Pacific Highway: Last major stop is Bulahdelah (30 minutes south). Basic facilities at the service station.
From Newcastle: Raymond Terrace or Lemon Tree Passage have facilities. The Myall Way section is quiet with limited stops.
Camping & Myall Lakes National Park
Myall Lakes National Park stretches north from Hawks Nest. Bush camping with basic facilities. Book online via the NSW National Parks website.
| Campground | Toilet | Water | Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mungo Brush | Yes | Yes | 2WD | Most accessible. Flushing toilets, hot showers. Near the beach. Booking required. |
| Violet Hill | Yes | -- | 4WD | Pit toilet. Bring water. Remote beach camping. 4WD only access. |
| The Ruins | Yes | -- | 4WD | Named after the old homestead. Pit toilet. Remote. BYO everything. |
| Korsmans Landing | Yes | -- | Boat/walk | Lake access only. Kayak or boat in. Pit toilet. Peaceful and isolated. |
All camping requires booking via NSW National Parks website. Park entry fees apply ($8/vehicle/day). Mungo Brush is the only campground with proper facilities — all others are basic bush camping with pit toilets and no water.
Hotels & Accommodation in Hawks Nest
Quiet coastal accommodation. Hawks Nest fills during school holidays but is peaceful the rest of the year.
| Property | Type | Location | Ensuite | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NRMA Myall Shores Holiday Park | Holiday park | Riverside | Cabins yes / sites shared | On the Myall River. Pool, kayak hire, playground. Walk to Singing Bridge. Best family option. |
| Jimmy's Beach Apartments | Apartment | Jimmy's Beach | Yes | Walk to calm water. Self-contained. Great for families with young kids. |
| Tea Gardens Hotel | Pub accommodation | Tea Gardens | Yes | Across the Singing Bridge. Waterfront pub. Basic rooms, cold beer, river views. |
| Hawks Nest holiday houses | Rental | Various | Yes | Holiday house rentals throughout the village. Good value off-peak. $120-250/night. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there public toilets at Jimmy's Beach, Hawks Nest?
Yes. Jimmy's Beach has a public toilet block near the car park at the eastern end. Jimmy's Beach is a calm, sheltered beach on Port Stephens — perfect for families and swimming. The facilities are maintained by MidCoast Council and open 24 hours.
Why does the Hawks Nest bridge sing?
The Singing Bridge connects Hawks Nest to Tea Gardens across the Myall River. When the wind blows through the bridge's railings and cables, it produces a humming or singing sound. The effect is most noticeable on windy days. It's become one of the area's quirky claims to fame. There are toilets on the Hawks Nest side at the Myall River foreshore.
Can you see koalas in Hawks Nest?
Yes. Hawks Nest has a wild koala population living in the eucalyptus trees around the village, particularly along the roads between Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens. They're most visible in the early morning and late afternoon. Drive slowly and look up — they sit in the forks of gum trees. The Myall Lakes koala colony is one of the healthiest in NSW.
Are there dolphins at Hawks Nest?
Bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen in the Myall River and around Jimmy's Beach. They often swim into the river channel right near the Singing Bridge. Best chances are early morning or late afternoon. You can sometimes spot them from the riverbank near the foreshore toilets.
How far is Hawks Nest from Nelson Bay?
Hawks Nest is approximately 30km from Nelson Bay by road (about 35 minutes). However, there's no direct road — you need to drive via Lemon Tree Passage or take the ferry from Tea Gardens to Nelson Bay (seasonal). Many visitors combine Hawks Nest and Nelson Bay in a Port Stephens holiday.
Is Hawks Nest the same as Tea Gardens?
Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens are twin towns on opposite sides of the Myall River, connected by the Singing Bridge. Hawks Nest has the ocean beaches and surf. Tea Gardens has the marina, restaurants, and river frontage. Together they have a combined population of about 2,000. Most visitors experience both.
Can you swim at Hawks Nest Beach?
Yes. Hawks Nest Beach (also called Bennetts Beach) is a long surf beach with good waves. It can have strong rips — swim near the surf club and between the flags during patrol hours. For calmer water, Jimmy's Beach on the Port Stephens side is much more sheltered. Both have public toilets.
Nearby Areas
Hawks Nest is a coastal village on the Myall River in New South Wales. Population approximately 2,000 (combined with Tea Gardens). Worimi country. Connected to Tea Gardens by the Singing Bridge. Part of the Great Lakes region, 200km north of Sydney. Known for wild koalas, dolphins, and the Myall Lakes National Park.
