Boolambayte: Lakes and Boatbuilding History

Boolambayte developed at a notable settlement site formed by Myall Lake and Boolambayte Creek. The settlement dates back to the early 1800s. Local timber resources suitable for building boats, barges and paddle steamers were one reason for its founding. The town’s history is therefore connected to the landscape and to a specific topic: the construction of various types of watercraft.

Lakes and activities in the area

Close to Boolambayte, the Violet Hill campground and picnic area is located between Boolambayte Lake and Myall Lake. Visitors can enjoy fishing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and boating there. Facilities for boating include a boat ramp, a jetty and temporary boat moorings. The combination of several water activities and these facilities offers a practical starting point when planning outings on or by the water.

The Bungarie Bay campground is on the shore of Boolambayte Lake. Its seven campsites are surrounded by tall casuarina and paperbark forests. Koalas, swamp wallabies, echidnas and dingoes are found in the forest around the campground. The campground makes a suitable base for boating and birdwatching; swimming and paddling are possible in the warmer months. The area therefore offers a range of interests side by side: water sports, lakeside scenery and forest inhabited by a variety of native animals. Violet Hill has boating facilities; Bungarie Bay has seven campsites and is surrounded by forest.

Special access and regional planning

Johnsons Beach campground, in the Boolambayte Lake precinct of Myall Lakes National Park, is accessible only by boat or on foot. Visitors can fish and swim at the campground, and walking tracks are nearby. Numerous native and migratory birds can be found around the campground. If you include Johnsons Beach in your plans, take its special access requirements into account when choosing your outings.

Further afield in the region, a car ferry at Bombah Point allows you to cross the lake. If you plan to take this crossing, check the timetable in advance.

Choose a holiday rental to suit your outings

When looking for a holiday rental in Boolambayte, consider which experiences you want to shape your stay: a range of water activities, a lakeside campground surrounded by forest and wildlife, or a destination accessible only on foot or by boat. Nearby destinations offer different points of reference to help you make your choice. Compare the location of your accommodation with the outings that matter to you, and also consider whether the crossing at Bombah Point is relevant to your plans.

Discover more destinations: Elizabeth Beach, Bulahdelah, Blueys Beach, Forster, Tea Gardens, Charlotte Bay

Go to the main travel guide: Great Lakes Council.