Spread the love

Browns Flat Rest Area, Pacific Hwy, Nerong NSW

Your Gateway to the Great Lakes and Mid-North Coast

Nestled alongside the Pacific Highway, the Browns Flat Rest Area stands as a crucial and popular stop for travellers exploring the stunning Mid-North Coast of New South Wales. Located near the turn-off to the Myall Lakes region, this large, well-maintained facility offers a safe and free option for an overnight stay, allowing drivers to manage fatigue effectively on their journey. It’s an expansive, dual-access area catering to both northbound and southbound traffic, making it an incredibly convenient choice for anyone travelling between Newcastle and Forster-Tuncurry. Surrounded by tall gums and native forest, it provides a genuine bush atmosphere just metres from the highway.

Browns Flat is well-equipped to handle a high volume of traffic, with a large, sealed area suitable for all types of recreational vehicles, including big rigs, caravans, motorhomes, and camper trailers. The facilities are tailored for the self-sufficient traveller, featuring public toilets, sheltered picnic tables perfect for a roadside meal, and ample rubbish bins to keep the area pristine. As a pet-friendly stop, it offers plenty of space for four-legged friends to have a good run. Mobile phone coverage is generally reliable, which is essential for checking travel plans or staying in touch. While there is no drinking water or power, its strategic location near the town of Bulahdelah ensures that fuel, supplies, and other services are only a short drive away. For those seeking a comfortable, no-fuss stopover that serves as a perfect launching pad to attractions like Seal Rocks and the Myall Lakes National Park, Browns Flat Rest Area is an outstanding and indispensable part of the Pacific Highway touring experience.

Browns Flat Rest Area – NSW Map

Name: Browns Flat Rest Area
Address: Pacific Hwy, Nerong NSW 2423
GPS Coordinates: -32.5562, 152.14977

Site Details

Site Suitable For: Caravans, Motorhomes, Big Rigs, Camper Trailers.
Road Access: Sealed highway (Pacific Highway). Accessible from both directions.
Site Surface: Bitumen.
Camping Permitted: Yes.
Maximum Overnight Stays: 24 hours.
Number of Sites Available: Very large area with approximately 30+ unpowered sites.
Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are welcome.
Fishing: Available in the nearby Myall River and the extensive Myall Lakes system.
Short Walks: Informal walks around the rest area and into the adjacent state forest.

Facilities

Picnic Tables: Yes (sheltered).
Potable Water: No. You must bring your own drinking water.
Mobile Phone Coverage: Good for major carriers like Telstra and Optus.
TV Reception: Variable, a good antenna is recommended.
Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
Rubbish Bins: Yes.
Open Fires: Strictly prohibited.
Generator Use: Permitted, but please be considerate of other users.

Essentials to Bring

Sufficient supply of drinking water for your entire stay.
All food, cooking equipment, and supplies.
Insect repellent is highly recommended.

Local Amenities

Pubs

The Plough Inn Hotel, Bulahdelah: Approximately 15 km.
Bulahdelah Bowling Club: Approximately 15 km.
Tea Gardens Hotel: Approximately 30 km.

Places to Eat

Various cafes, bakeries, and takeaways in Bulahdelah: Approximately 15 km.
Myall River Bakery Cafe, Tea Gardens: Approximately 30 km.

Local Attractions

Myall Lakes National Park: Access points start from approx. 10 km.
Seal Rocks and Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse: Approximately 40 km.
Bulahdelah Mountain Forest Park (The Grandis): Approximately 20 km.

Caravan Parks

BIG4 River Myall Holiday Resort, Bulahdelah: Approximately 15 km.
NRMA Myall Shores Holiday Park: Approximately 25 km.
Reflections Holiday Parks Seal Rocks: Approximately 40 km.

Next Free Camps

Wang Wauk Rest Area (Northbound): Approximately 45 km north.
Twelve Mile Creek Rest Area (Southbound): Approximately 50 km south.

Services

Nearest Dump Point: Bulahdelah Showground (Lions Park), Bulahdelah (approx. 15 km).
Nearest Petrol Station: Bulahdelah (approx. 15 km).
Drinking Water Resupply: Bulahdelah Showground often has a public tap.
Public Toilets: Available in the main street of Bulahdelah.

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Mid-North Coast Region

Summer (Dec-Feb): Warm to hot and humid, with reliable sea breezes near the coast. High chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms.
Autumn (Mar-May): Warm, sunny days and mild nights. Considered an ideal time to visit with pleasant weather.
Winter (Jun-Aug): Mild days and cool nights. Less rainfall than summer, generally clear skies.
Spring (Sep-Nov): Mild to warm weather, with temperatures and humidity increasing towards summer.