Historian Rosemary Broomham has compiled personal stories, historical information and old photographs into Myall Lakes National Park: A people's history to paint a picture of the area from years gone by.

Among them are anecdotes from the Brambles, a large fishing family who first settled in the Upper Myall in 1843.

"When I came here there was no electricity and it was very much a milling town," Betty Bramble said.

"You could see the bullocks and hear the crack of the whip and hear the steam whistles blowing in industry. It's very different now."

Mrs Bramble, 78, has a long-standing connection with the national park.

Her late husband, Colin, built their former home, Shadwell Park House, at Smiths Lake, which is now part of the national park and owned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

National Parks and Wildlife Service Hunter manager Robert Quirk said the book also included recollections from former residents, visiting scientists and conservationists.

"Conserving [the park's] historic heritage is equally as important as managing the landscape to conserve its natural and recreational values," he said.

Books can be bought for $20 at the National Parks and Wildlife Service Great Lakes or Nelson Bay office.