Trying to work out a good spot to camp around the Pacific Palms area. Got to be family friendly, as I'll have the wife and two kids, and gotta be near the lake so I can sail with ease.

Planning on sailing spring nor-easters. Any recommendations? Anyone taken the family to Tiona Tourist Park? I'd ideally like to camp right beside the water.

Cheers for any info.

Thanks DavMen,

Ended up finding a few reviews on Tiona park and they weren't too flattering... And not too keen on walking 500 meters to get to water also, so it sounds like Sandbar is a better option. Done a bit of Googling and it looks like there's some nice camping sites- we'll be taking a camper trailer- and would like to be close to the lake, not sure if thats possible- anyone camped there can shed some light on camping sites, and right near the lake??

I like the layout, and (assuming there's water!) looks like you'd get plenty of wind in a nor-east, or south easter over that sandbar Looks like fun. That beach looks sweet for wave sailing in a n-easter I'd imagine. Any info from the wave crew would be sweet.

Cheers

Hey, Tomp.

I've never sailed at Wallis or Smiths before, drove past both a few times and though they looked the goods for a family holiday and sail.

I'd time my visit outside school hols, can't stand holiday crowds...lol

I assume the main ramp you mentioned is that little concrete one just off The Lakes Way near Tarbuck?

I have no idea what the "Recie" is...

Phil

Smiths is great esprcially if you have the family with you. It is open to the sea at the moment so sailing is not good.
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Jimmy's when its nor-east is a sweet spot to sail. The wind is offshore but comes across the sand spit and you can do long runs from Winda Woppa up to the sand spit if you want. water is crystal clear too. beautiful spot to rig and launch from near the C/P too.
In a southerly its pretty onshore and very lumpy but great for bump & jump.
Hawks Nest is just a minute or so down the road with everything you would need for staying at the caravan park.

hey Phil,
there have been earlier posts re Great Lakes area although in Spring time it might be the odd NE'r you may get a ripping westerly or a southerly.

I pretty much sail in the surf unless it's huge surf or onshore and as Pacific Palms is off the freeway I seek other spots to sail on my trips north. I think you are about intermediate level from your other posts so I imagine the lakes are what you're after?

Wallis lake is good for all but prob a SE although you will need a weed fin. Smiths good in NE from the boat ramp/main road part of the lake. As said above it's always worth checking Jimmy's beach (Hawk's Nest side of Port Stephens) and it can charge in a SE as well.

FYI the 'recie' is the Recreation Club which is on the edge of the lake when you pass Elizabeth beach. Everyone knows that place as it is the equivalent of an RSL.