Broughton Island campground

Myall Lakes National Park

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Overview

Broughton Island campground is the only place in NSW where you can camp among an active seabird colony.

Accommodation Details
Number of campsites 5
Camping type Tent, Remote/backpack camping
Facilities Toilets
What to bring Drinking water, cooking water, food supplies, mobile phone, first aid kit, tent, rope, sleeping bag, towels, torch, fuel stove, cooking utensils, toilet paper, clothes for all weather conditions, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, hat
Entry fees

No park entry fees apply at this campground. See vehicle fees for other areas in Myall Lakes National Park.

Bookings Bookings for up to 2 sites and 12 people can be made online.
Group bookings This campground is not suitable for group bookings.
Please note
  • Check in after 11am. Check out before 11am.
  • Sites are marked
  • Broughton Island is only accessible by boat
  • Weather and sea conditions can change rapidly and may delay your departure from the island. Please be prepared with adequate food supplies.
  • Mobile phone coverage is intermittent and unreliable
  • If travelling to the island by private vessel, campers are encouraged to register their movements with Marine Rescue Port Stephens, (02) 4981 3585.

Camping on Broughton Island is a truly special experience. Located in Myall Lakes National Park, you'll be camping amongst an active seabird colony- it’s a key breeding site for wedge-tailed shearwaters.

There are plenty of opportunities for water activities, including swimming, fishing, boating, snorkelling and scuba diving. You’ll find sandy beaches within Esmeralda Cove.

With only five campsites, you’ll feel like you own the island. The campground is fairly basic, so you’ll have to bring all your equipment and supplies with you, including water. You must book and pre-pay for a campsite prior to arriving at the island.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Nearby

  • Aerial view of 4 people on a walking track on Broughton Island, Myall Lakes National Park. Photo: John Spencer © DPIE

    Broughton Island walking tracks

    Broughton Island walking tracks are a great way for nature lovers to explore this remote island, accessible by boat from Port Stephens. Follow this family-friendly network of walking tracks to wild beaches and stunning lookouts.

Map


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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/broughton-island-campground/local-alerts

Bookings

Operated by

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Broughton Island campground.

Getting there and parking

Broughton Island campground is part of Myall Lakes National Park. Access is by vessel only. If travelling by private vessel, you should register your movements with Marine Rescue Port Stephens on marine radio prior to travel, or you can organise transport with a tour operator.

Guided tours to the island are by the following tour operators:

Access to the campground is via Esmeralda Cove, on the south-eastern side of the island. The moorings in Esmeralda Cove are all privately owned and cannot be used by the general public.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Myall Lakes National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

Autumn

A good time to visit when the weather is a little cooler and the park is less busy.

Spring

Magnificent wildflower displays as they bloom across the heathlands.

Summer

Look for dolphins swimming among the waves.

Winter

Head to Sugarloaf Point to watch for whales on their annual migration.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

19°C and 27°C

Highest recorded

41.5°C

Winter temperature

Average

10°C and 19°C

Lowest recorded

1.1°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

May

Driest month

November

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

257.8mm

Facilities

  • There are three timber camping platforms and two grassy sites. You can select which site you’d like when booking.
  • If you decide to camp on a timber platform, bring some extra rope to assist in securing tents to anchor points.
  • Water is not available at this campground.
  • Weather and sea conditions can change rapidly and may delay your departure from the island, so be prepared with adequate food supplies.
  • There is no power on the island
  • There is very little shade on the island
  • Campers are required to take all rubbish with them on departure

Toilets

  • Non-flush toilets

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

This is a remote campground, campers need to be self-sufficient and be prepared for rapidly changing weather and sea conditions. Be prepared by bringing additional supplies in the event severe weather conditions delay your departure.

Beach safety

Beaches in this park are not patrolled, and can sometimes have strong rips and currents. These beach safety tips will help you and your family stay safe in the water.

Boating safety

If you're out on your boat fishing, waterskiing or just cruising the waterways, read these paddling and boating safety tips.

Camping safety

Whether you're pitching your tent on the coast or up on the mountains, there are many things to consider when camping in NSW national parks. Find out how to stay safe when camping.

Fishing safety

Fishing from a boat, the beach or by the river is a popular activity for many national park visitors. If you’re planning a day out fishing, check out these fishing safety tips.

Mobile safety

Mobile phone coverage at this campground is intermittent and unreliable.

Paddling safety

To make your paddling or kayaking adventure safer and more enjoyable, check out these paddling safety tips.

Accessibility

Disability access level - no wheelchair access

Prohibited

  • Fireworks are prohibited
  • Amplified music is not permitted

Camp fires and solid fuel burners

Gathering firewood

Generators

Pets

Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

Smoking

NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

Learn more

Broughton Island campground is in Myall Lakes National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Ancient connections

Dark Point Aboriginal Place, Myall Lakes National Park. Photo: OEH

Myall Lakes National Park is part of the Country of the Worimi Aboriginal people, who used the area's natural resources, like freshwater lakes, the ocean and native flora and fauna to live a traditional fisher-hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Much evidence of their long connection with this Country can be seen today throughout the middens in the park. The landscape of Myall Lakes includes important spiritual sites that are an important part of the identity of local Aboriginal people. Make sure you visit Dark Point Aboriginal Place while you're at visiting the park. This rocky headland has been of significance to Worimi people for at least 4000 years. The clans or nuras (family groups) within the Worimi people would gather together here for ceremonies and feasts.

  • Dark Point Aboriginal Place Dark Point Aboriginal Place, in southern Myall Lakes National Park, is a culturally significant site for the Worimi people with scenic coastal views across to Broughton Island.
  • Mungo walking track Mungo walking track offers a variety of Aboriginal and historic sites, diverse vegetation, and mountain biking in Myall Lakes National Park, near Hawks Nest.

Go fish

Violet Hill campground, Myall Lakes National Park. Photo: John Spencer

Fishing is a popular activity in Myall Lakes, with catches likely to include bream, whiting, Australian salmon, flathead and mullet. There are lots of great places in the park to throw in a line, like the beaches, lakes or rivers. Try fishing from your boat or for a relaxing day on the water you could try a spot of kayak fishing. At Myall Lakes you can also go camping, boating, swimming and canoeing. And when you’ve tried all of those, you can explore the park on foot, by 4WD or bike, stopping for a spot of bird watching or to enjoy a picnic or barbecue lunch along the way. Whatever your interests, there is bound to be something that takes your fancy.

  • Mining Road to Old Gibber Road cycling trail Mining Road to Old Gibber Road cycling trail is an easy bike ride within Myall Lakes National Park. You can complete the ride in one day or take your tent to camp overnight.
  • Mungo Rainforest walk Enjoy a short and easy rainforest walk with the birds in Myall Lakes National Park, not far from Buladelah. Afterwards, you can enjoy a picnic or barbecue at Mungo Brush.

Internationally recognised wetlands

Pipers Creek picnic area, Myall Lakes National Park. Photo: John Spencer

Since 1999, this internationally recognised wetlands site, has been listed under the Ramsar Convention due to its diverse mosaic of near-natural wetlands, within a relatively unmodified coastal lake system. There are 18 different wetland types with extensive interconnected lake and river systems within the forested wetlands and swamps that fringe the waterways, rocky and sandy shores, and offshore islands off the coastline. This wetland site houses a complex variety of habitats with rich biodiversity, including threatened species and migratory birds protected under international agreements. The Myall Lakes wetlands also have a high cultural and social value as they occur within the traditional lands of the Worimi Aboriginal people, where the varied wetlands, environments and abundant resources provided an ideal living environment. Evidence of this traditional occupation exists across the landscape, including the Dark Point Aboriginal Place.

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  • White-bellied sea eagle. Photo: John Turbill

    White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

    White-bellied sea eagles can be easily identified by their white tail and dark grey wings. These raptors are often spotted cruising the coastal breezes throughout Australia, and make for some scenic bird watching. Powerful Australian birds of prey, they are known to mate for life, and return each year to the same nest to breed.

  • Long-nosed bandicoot, Sydney Harbour National Park. Photo: Narelle King

    Long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta)

    A nocturnal marsupial and one of the smaller Australian native animals, the long-nosed bandicoot is found across eastern Australia. Populations in the Sydney region have dwindled since European settlement, leaving only endangered colonies in inner western Sydney and at North Head, near Manly. The long-nosed bandicoot has grey-brown fur and a pointed snout which it uses to forage for worms and insects.

  • Brown-striped frog. Photo: Rosie Nicolai/OEH

    Brown-striped frog (Lymnastes peronii)

    One of the most common frogs found in Australia, the ground-dwelling brown-striped frog lives in ponds, dams and swamps along the east coast. Also known as the striped marsh frog, this amphibian grows to 6.5cm across and has a distinctive ‘tok’ call that can be heard all year round.

  • Profile view of a grey-headed flying-fox flying past eucalupt trees. Photo: Shane Ruming © Shane Ruming

    Grey-headed flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)

    The grey-headed flying fox is Australia's largest native bat, with a wingspan up to 1m. This threatened species travels up and down south-eastern Australia and plays a vital role in pollinating plants and spreading seeds in our native forests.

  • A tiny green and golden bell frog sits on a green strawberry plant leaf. Photo: Stuart Cohen © Stuart Cohen and DCCEEW

    Green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea)

    The green and golden bell frog is an endangered Australian frog. Once common on the NSW coast and tablelands, populations have plummeted around 90 percent.

Plants

  • Cabbage tree palm in Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve. Photo: John Spencer/OEH

    Cabbage palm (Livistona australis)

    With glossy green leaves spanning 3-4m in length and a trunk reaching a height of up to 30m, the cabbage tree palm, or fan palm, is one of the tallest Australian native plants. Thriving in rainforest margins along the east coast of NSW, in summer this giant palm produces striking spikes of cream flowers which resemble cabbages.

  • Wonga Wonga vine. Photo: Barry Collier

    Wonga wonga vine (Pandorea pandorana)

    The wonga wonga vine is a widespread vigorous climber usually found along eastern Australia. A variation of the plant occurs in the central desert, where it resembles a sprawling shrub. One of the more common Australian native plants, the wonga wonga vine produces bell-shaped white or yellow flowers in the spring, followed by a large oblong-shaped seed pod.

Environments in this park

Education resources (1)