Bulahdelah: Courthouse and Myall Lakes

Bulahdelah is the western gateway to Myall Lakes National Park. In the town and its immediate surroundings, regional history, leisure activities and protected forest landscapes come together. There is also the option of travelling by boat to the national park. Which of these aspects appeals to you most can also guide your search for a suitable holiday rental: activities in town, cultural destinations or the national park’s natural environment.

Courthouse and regional history

The present-day Bulahdelah Courthouse was built in 1886 on a hill east of town, overlooking the Myall River. The heritage-listed building serves as a museum and houses extensive historical collections from the region. Here, the history of the building and the regional themes represented in the collections come together in one place. If you plan to visit the museum, check the latest opening details beforehand.

East of the township, in Bulahdelah State Forest, lies Bulahdelah Mountain Aboriginal Place, recognised as an Aboriginal Place at the confluence of the Myall and Crawford Rivers. Its cultural, spiritual and historical significance to the Worimi is central. Another heritage site immediately east of the township is known as the “Former Alum Mine” and is also called Bulahdelah Mountain. Its features include a tramway, a spoil heap and a boiler wall. These two subjects offer different starting points for exploring the history and culture of the surrounding area.

Forest areas and trails nearby

North of Bulahdelah, Bulahdelah State Conservation Area forms an ecological link between Myall Lakes National Park and Bulahdelah State Forest. It consists mainly of dry sclerophyll forest, with wet sclerophyll forest along Frys Creek. The conservation area also protects habitat for the cycad species Macrozamia flexuosa. The contrast between the drier forest areas and the wetter vegetation along the creek gives this natural area a distinctive character, while its link to the national park and state forest shows how it fits into the region.

In Bulahdelah State Forest, the 2.2-kilometre Boolah-Dillah Track is a loop trail leading to the Worimi Cultural Area. Alongside the historical sites, this provides a named trail of a set length with a cultural destination. If you want to explore different themes during your stay, you can consider this route as a separate option alongside the museum, leisure activities in town and the national park.

Leisure activities and choosing your holiday rental

Leisure activities in town also vary considerably: Bulahdelah Golf Club is a community-owned golf course with nine holes and usually two tee positions per hole. The skate park is located in Alum Mountain Park. Together with the nearby destinations, these options offer a range of holiday activities rather than a single type, from golf and the skate park to forest and cultural attractions.

There is also a connection to the water and the national park: Myall Lakes Getaway Houseboats, based in Bulahdelah, enable visitors to travel by boat to Myall Lakes National Park. If you would like to include this option in your plans, check the relevant booking conditions. When searching for a holiday rental, you can consider your priorities separately: activities in town, cultural and forest destinations east or north of the township, or access to the national park. This way, your choice can reflect the experiences in Bulahdelah that interest you most.

Discover more destinations

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

Return to the main travel overview: Great Lakes Council.