In Australia a stunning beach with soft sand, rolling waves, and turquoise water is just the baseline. An outstanding beach has to offer something more, like a slice of desert tucked behind it. That’s exactly what makes Dark Point and Mungo Beach so captivating.
Dark Point is a rocky headland in Myall Lakes National Park, about 250 km north of Sydney. It combines natural beauty with a rich cultural history. For thousands of years, it has served as a sacred gathering place for the Worimi people and later a significant landmark for European explorers and sailors navigating this treacherous coastline.
Dark Point looks over the vast 18-kilometer stretch of Mungo Beach, backed up by some of the most picturesque sand dunes we’ve seen in Australia. (Believe it or not, Mungo Beach is only the third-longest beach in New South Wales and might not even rank among the top 10 longest beaches in Australia.)
Best place to stay in Myall Lakes National Park:
- Historical homestay with stunning views: Seal Rocks Lighthouse Cottages
- Lakefront holiday park: NRMA Myall Shores Holiday Park
- Entire holiday home in Seal Rocks: Sea Shack
Getting to Dark Point
The 2 km return track through the sand dunes to Dark Point starts at the carpark on Mungo Brush Road. You need to look for the Dark Point walking track, but actually, there’s not much of a track to be found. It’s a walk through the beautiful, ever-changing high sand dunes backing up Mungo Beach.
Dark Point walking track though the sand dunes
The sand dunes are more than just a striking feature here—they’re a testament to the power of wind and time, sculpted over millennia. Coastal winds sweep loose sand from the shore, carrying it inland. Each gust causes the grains to settle, creating ripples that gradually build into towering dunes. This landscape is alive and in constant motion, the flowing sand dunes are like the echo of the waves.
From the top of the highest dune, we could look over the ocean stretching into infinity, the rocky headland of Dark Point, the distant islands and the waves kissing Mungo Beach.
Then we descended to the southern end of Mungo Beach. At the end of the beach, a narrow, well-beaten path took us to the headland that offered stunning views of both Mungo Beach and Jimmys Beach – both of them are fabulous, seemingly endless white sand beaches. This is the Dark Point, also called Little Gibber, and we could find a path all the way to the tip of the land.
Take a walk on Mungo Beach
Since you’re already there, Mungo Beach is also worth a bit of your time. This wild, unspoilt, windswept beach is for those who crave solitude and serenity. It runs 18 km north from Dark Point to Big Gibber Headland, and there’s no crowds or urban noise (or facilities) here.
Mungo Beach is ideal for long walks, or scenic 4WD drives on the beach (permit required). Swimming isn’t recommended, because the beach is known to have frequent big surf, rips and currents. We marveled at the powerful, large waves and dipped our toes in.
Practical tips for visiting Dark Point
Wear sturdy shoes for the trek through the dunes, or walk barefoot. This magically white sand doesn’t get hot, so it won’t burn your feet – but it will stick to everything it touches.
Prepare for the wind. Bring a windbreaker and secure your belongings (seriously, we experienced surprisingly sudden, strong gusts of wind, especially on the headland).
Stay hydrated. There’s no water here, so bring plenty of drinking water.
Respect the site. It’s a culturally significant and sacred place, leave it as you found it.
Don’t forget your camera and your polarizing filter, because the sun is extremely bright and is reflected back from both the sand and the water.
Other fun things to do in Myall Lakes National Park
Enjoy the views from Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse. This lighthouse is at the northern end of the national park, offering dramatic views and excellent whale-watching (within season). You can’t visit the lighthouse, but the Lighthouse Keepers’ quarters and outbuildings have been refurbished to offer holiday accommodation for visitors.
Explore the waterways of Myall Lake. Grab your kayak, canoe or boat, and launch it from White Tree Bay or Korsmans Landing. Lakes flow into each other here: The Broadwater, Two Mile Lake, Boolambayte Lake and Myall Lake.
Walk the Mungo Rainforest Track. This 1.7 km loop starts at the Mungo Brush campground and leads you through one of the most picturesque rainforests in New South Wales, with large cabbage palms towering above. (Yes, sand dunes and rainforest in each other’s neighborhood.)
Leave a Reply