70 kilometres north of Raymond Terrace at the foot of Alum Mountain is the town of Bulahdelah. Surrounded by state forests, Bulahdelahis the gateway to the Myall Lakes National Park and makes a good basefor exploring the region.
The upper section of the lower north coast is dominated by themassive Myall Lakes National Park, a 31 000 hectare expanse of coastallakes, isolated beaches, rainforest, heath, and paperbark swamps. This spectacularecosystem is one of the most popular recreation areas in New SouthWales, providing ideal conditions for canoeing, windsurfing, fishing,boating and swimming on the sheltered lakes, and surfing, beach fishing,and scuba diving just across the sand dunes. On land, this importantwaterbird habitat is easy to explore thanks to the network of walking tracks which traverse through the unique environment providingan abundance of secluded and picturesque spots. The only town within thepark is Seal Rocks, situated on the far eastern tip and at the end of a 15 kilometre dirt road (kept by the locals to prevent mass tourism) which turns off The Lakes Way.
The Lakes Way turns off the main highway just past Bulahdelahand heads east passing the northern fringes of the park beforeturning north towards Forster and Tuncurry. Forster andTuncurry are twin towns separated by the mouth of Wallis Lake, and makeup the main centre of the Great Lakes district. This laid-back, 
peaceful holiday area is as well known for it's fishing and oyster production as it is for it's sparkling waters, superb beaches and lush wilderness.
Less than ten minutes south of Forster is the small but worthwhileBooti Booti National Park. Walks under the canopy of cabbage treepalms through the eucalypt and mangrove forests lead to the beautiful,soft white sands of Elizabeth and Seven-Mile Beach. Out of the park and slightly further south Pacific Palms and Bluey's Beach have more surfbeaches of similar quality only with more signs of civilisation.
The Lakes Way eventually rejoins the main highway in the Manning Valleysouth of Taree. A large town serving the farms of the fertilevalley, Taree makes a convenient place to stop on long trips, or a basefor visiting the nearby gorgeous beaches and kangaroo filled forestsof Crowdy Bay National Park. For arts and crafts enthusiasts, thereare many galleries and workshops scattered throughout the region.
