This island is uninhabited except for muttonbirds and little penguins, and its surrounding waters are home to an enormous diversity of fish. The diving is excellent, and the beaches are secluded. Moonshadow runs full-day trips to the island from Nelson Bay on Sundays and some Wednesdays between late September and Easter, which include snorkelling and boom-net rides (adult/child $95/55).

Basic camping (no power or water) at the island's Little Poverty Beach is operated by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife service, and must be prebooked online. If you have your own vessel (and have registered with Marine Rescue Port Stephens), you can arrange transfers – see the national parks website for current operators.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Dark Point Aboriginal Place

2.78 MILES

On a rocky headland in the southern part of Myall Lakes National Park near Hawks Nest, Dark Point was an important gathering place for the Worimi people…

2. Bennett's Beach

8.57 MILES

This beautiful long and secluded stretch of beach is perfect for romantic walks and dolphin spotting.

3. Jimmy's Beach

9.22 MILES

Blinding white sand and glassy water faces out to Nelson Bay at this tranquil sheltered beach. Great for kids.

4. Nelson Head Lighthouse Cottage

11.12 MILES

Built in 1875, this restored lighthouse now hosts a small maritime museum with displays on the history of the building and the area's coast guard patrol…

5. Tomaree National Park

13.47 MILES

This wonderfully wild expanse offers beautiful hiking in an area that can feel far more remote than it actually is. The park harbours angophora forests…

7. Worimi Conservation Lands

21.27 MILES

Located at Stockton Bight, these are the longest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere, stretching more than 35km. Thanks to the generosity of the…

8. Booti Booti National Park

23.89 MILES

This 15.67-sq-km national park stretches along a skinny peninsula with Seven Mile Beach on its eastern side and Wallis Lake on its west. The northern…