Little Gibber Dark Point

Surfing
Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Swell
Spot Type
Busy
Crowd Level

This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.

About this spot

About

Little Gibber Dark Point is a remote, exposed right-hand sandbar/point surfing break within Myall Lakes National Park near Hawks Nest. Surf is described as fairly consistent, and performance is reported to be best in autumn and winter when south swell is more dependable. The break is most associated with south (and south-east) swell. It can take a decent swell to wrap into the bay, and ride quality can improve when sandbar formation aligns with the headland/point. With offshore-north winds (relative to the break), wave faces can groom up, and cross-shore wind is reported as a preferred setup. Access is a key factor: the car park is reached via Mungo Brush Road (with 4WD options discussed via Hawks Nest Golf Club), but reaching the lineup involves walking across extensive sand dunes—often noted as a long trek. Conditions around the point and sandbars come with safety risks including rip currents and submerged rocks; sharks are also listed as a hazard. From a season-and-conditions perspective, it’s generally quiet due to remoteness and low-profile status, though one guide notes it can get quite busy in the water. Respect the cultural significance of the area (Worimi gathering site) and stay on formed paths; there are no on-site lifeguards or dedicated rescue services referenced for this spot.

  • Autumn and winter provide the most consistent surf.
  • Right-hand sandbar/point break that works on larger south swell.
  • North winds can groom the wave faces (offshore relative wind).
  • Culturally significant Dark Point Aboriginal Place and dune landscape.
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboard
What's great
  • Exposed right-hand sandbar/point break with fairly consistent surf, especially in autumn and winter.
  • Offshore/north winds can groom wave faces, supporting better surf conditions.
  • Quiet, low-profile experience tied to the remote natural setting.
Heads up
  • Remote access (long walk from the car park across sand dunes).
  • Can be dangerous due to rip currents and submerged rocks around the headland.
  • Requires decent south swell to wrap into the bay; timing/sandbar alignment matters.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
N, NW
Offshore directions
N, NNW, NW
Wind Type
Mixed — North to north-westerly winds are reported; offshore winds relative to the break can help groom wave faces.
Reliability
average
Best Months
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August
Shadow Zones
Some shelter from southerly winds is suggested by the headland/point geography.
Thermal Window
Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar · Dir: N, NNE, NNW, NW · A reliable thermal sea breeze commonly develops in warmer months; can bring strong, sudden gusts on the headland.

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell
Beach
Sand — Sand beach.
Beach Size
Big
Waves
Medium — Typical wave size is reported as medium; conditions improve with larger south swell.
Launch
Medium — Sand beach launch accessible via the dunes.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Access via dunes is described as moderate.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
17–24 °C
Water Temperature
9–27 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–May: 3/2mmAug–Nov: 3/2mm to 4/3mm full suit
Crowds by Season

Usually quiet, but can see more visitors on weekends and school holidays.

Storm/Rain Season

Summer can see sporadic heavy rain and thunderstorms. Significant storms are possible between March and June due to East Coast Lows.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed right-hand sandbar/point break. The spot is remote and requires access across sand dunes; it typically needs a decent south swell to wrap into the bay.

Sandbar
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
S, SE
Optimal Tide
Mid — Mid tide is reported as optimal for wave shape/coverage.
Shelter
Semi-sheltered — Semi-sheltered by the headland/point shape, but still described as exposed overall.
Wind Effect
North winds are offshore and can groom the wave faces; cross-shore conditions are preferred.
Bigger Swell
Can handle larger swells which tend to wrap and clean up around the headland; best on larger south swells.
Wave Quality
Average — Overall wave quality is described as average, with improved consistency in autumn and winter.
Wave Power
Moderate — Reports describe fairly consistent surf, with better/stronger performance on larger south swell.
Wave Shape
Peeling — Right-hand point/sandbar break that can wrap and clean up around the headland.
Peel Speed
Medium — Waves peel at a moderate speed when the sandbars align with the point.
Ride Length
Medium — Can offer decent rides when sandbars align with the point; rides described as medium length.
Ride Length Details
Can produce decent rides when the sandbar formation aligns with the point.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Little Gibber Dark Point in the full forecast view.

Little Gibber Dark Point wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–13 ktsGusts 26 kts
Direction
E79°
Strongest day
Mon, Oct 2613 kts
Windy days
2/712 kts or more
Waves
0.8–1.5 m8s period
Temperature
14–28 °C

Over the next 7 days, Little Gibber Dark Point is forecast for daytime winds of 3–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.8–1.5 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

What to know before you launch

Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.

Hazards

  • Remote location
  • Rip currents
  • Sharks
  • Submerged rocks
  • Culturally sensitive site — foot traffic off formed tracks
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitLeash

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards are reported.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No dedicated on-site rescue services are reported.
Emergency Info
Nearest medical facilities referenced are Hawks Nest or Bulahdelah; in an emergency dial 000.

Rules of the spot

Located within Myall Lakes National Park; standard park regulations apply. Respect the culturally significant Aboriginal site and stay on designated paths.

Restrictions
  • No vehicle access on the dunes.
  • Stay on designated paths due to a culturally significant Aboriginal site.
Local Tips
  • Bring plenty of water and sun protection as it is a long walk from the car park.
  • Check the sandbar formation after major storms.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Newcastle
Nearest Town
Hawks Nest
Parking
Carpark on the right side of Mungo Brush Road, about 15km from Hawks Nest (Dark Point car park). 4WD access available via Hawks Nest Golf Club.
Access
Drive along Mungo Brush Road from Hawks Nest for approximately 15km and turn into the carpark on the right. Alternatively, 4WD access via Hawks Nest Golf Club followed by a ~20-minute drive along the beach; access also involves a walk through extensive sand dunes from the Dark Point car park.
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Nearby town — Camping is available within Myall Lakes National Park (including Mungo Brush and Banksia campgrounds); accommodation is in Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens.
Food & Drink
No food or drink is reported at the spot; options are in Hawks Nest.
Equipment Rental:
Equipment rental is reported as not available on-site; rental is available via schools/shops elsewhere.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

A remote nature setting combining massive sand dunes and headland scenery with the Myall Lakes experience.

Best time to visit: Summer months are best for wind sports; late autumn and winter can be excellent for whale watching and hiking.
Dark Point Sand Dunes0km

Massive system of mobile coastal sand dunes offering panoramic views of Broughton Island.

Mungo Beach and Jimmys Beach

18-km stretch of Mungo Beach with sand dunes and views of Broughton Island.

Dark Point Aboriginal Place0km

Sacred Worimi gathering place for thousands of years; declared an Aboriginal site of significance in 2002.

Dark Point walking track

2-km return walking track through sand dunes to the Dark Point headland with coastal views.

Myall Lakes Kayaking5km

Explore the extensive freshwater lake system adjacent to the coastline.

Whale Watching2km

During June to November migration, whales may be spotted from headlands and dunes.

Tea Gardens Ice Cream Shack15km

Local stop for refreshments after a day on the water.

Whale Watching2km

During June to November migration, whales may be spotted from headlands and dunes.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Little Gibber Dark Point?

The best overall months at Little Gibber Dark Point are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August.

Which wind directions work at Little Gibber Dark Point?

Little Gibber Dark Point works with N, NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NNW, NW.

What skill level is Little Gibber Dark Point suitable for?

Little Gibber Dark Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.