70 kilometres north of Raymond Terrace at the foot of Alum Mountain is the town of Bulahdelah. Surrounded by state forests, Bulahdelah is the gateway to the Myall Lakes National Park and makes a good base for exploring the region.

The upper section of the lower north coast is dominated by the massive Myall Lakes National Park, a 31 000 hectare expanse of coastal lakes, isolated beaches, rainforest, heath, and paperbark swamps. This spectacular ecosystem is one of the most popular recreation areas in New South Wales, 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 important waterbird habitat is easy to explore thanks to the network of walking tracks which traverse through the unique environment providing an abundance of secluded and picturesque spots. The only town within the park 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 Bulahdelah and heads east passing the northern fringes of the park before turning north towards Forster and Tuncurry. Forster and Tuncurry are twin towns separated by the mouth of Wallis Lake, and make up 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 worthwhile Booti Booti National Park. Walks under the canopy of cabbage tree palms 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 surf beaches of similar quality only with more signs of civilisation.

The Lakes Way eventually rejoins the main highway in the Manning Valley south of Taree. A large town serving the farms of the fertile valley, Taree makes a convenient place to stop on long trips, or a base for visiting the nearby gorgeous beaches and kangaroo filled forests of Crowdy Bay National Park. For arts and crafts enthusiasts, there are many galleries and workshops scattered throughout the region.