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Of the region's many lakes, Myall Lake, Wallis Lake, and Smiths Lake are the largest and cover more than 10,000 hectares. The lake system was created after the last Ice Age less than 6,000 years ago when sea levels rose and flooded much of the low-lying coastal land. The surrounding Melaleuca trees (commonly known as "tea trees" and famous for their oil) give the lakes their "tea" colouration, and may be up to 300 years old. Myall Lakes National Park, of 44,000 hectares, which borders the Bombah Point Eco Cottages property on three sides, includes the largest and oldest sand dune system in New South Wales. The hind dunes were formed more than 100,000 years ago after an earlier Ice Age and now huge trees grow in their mineral-rich sand. This sand was extensively mined up until the 1970's when public protest stopped it and Myall Lakes National Park was created. There are numerous Aboriginal sites hidden in the dunes and visitors can find themselves wandering through expansive areas of stone tools, bones and shell deposits that were hidden for thousands of years and only recently revealed by shifting sands. These sites are heralded as some of the most significant and extensive sites in coastal NSW and are protected. Port Stephens, the picturesque bay that provides water views for Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest and Nelson Bay, is also quite well known for its marine visitors, particularly the seasonal whales. It also has the largest permanent population of dolphins on the east coast, more than 200, offering visitors a 99% chance of seeing them on a Dolphin Watch ferry trip. The region also includes Booti Booti National Park, Wallingat National Park, and Tomaree National Park as well as several State Forests suitable for 4WD touring
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