Things to do around Lake Macquarie

Lake Macquarie’s environs consists of mile upon mile of bays, beaches and headlands. Sprinkled with 92 towns and villages, 29 public boat ramps, 28 public jetties and wharves and 7 marinas around the lake, there’s no shortage of fun.

Wellness & Pampering

• Sol Remedial Massage in nearby Swansea is a place to chill out and rejuvenate Sol Remedial
• Treat yourself to skincare at Elysium Skin Studio  in Caves Beach not far away
• Sustainability and passion is the ethos of The Yoga Place  in Blacksmiths for wellness and along with Yoga, they offer several practitioners who can assist with a variety of therapies from practitioners specialising in Brihashpati’s Body Work, holistic Coach and pranic healer, a specialist doctor trained in rehabilitation medicine with a focus on holistic health, lifestyle and wellness, counselling and physio services.

Explore & Discover

• Surf, swim, snorkel at Caves Beach, Blacksmiths, Redhead Beaches or Newcastle Beaches – various e.g. Merewether and Bar beach
• Boat, SUP, kayak hire in Lake Macquarie
• Lake Macquarie Variety Playground at Speers Point Park is the best and biggest playground, between the Central Coast and Newcastle with a picnic area and kiosk. Find out more Lake Macquarie Council
• Skydive Australia at nearby Belmont Airport. Find out more Sky Dive Newcastle
• Lake Macquarie fishing, a haven for dusky flathead, bream, yellowtail kingfish, whiting and luderick in the Swansea Channel. If you don’t have a boat, try Sandy Bottom Boat Charters
• For a luxury yacht charter or sailing cruise exploring the waters of Lake Macquarie, enjoy Sail Lake Macquarie
• Other fantastic fishing spots include Shingle Splitters Point, Belmont Bay, Speers Point Jetty, the Swansea Bridge, Pelican foreshore, Pulbah Island, Valentine Boat Ramp, Murrays Beach foreshore, Croudace Bay and Green Point Foreshore Reserve. See Top 10 places to drop a line – Lake Macquarie
• Discover Cruise on Macquarie Lake aboard the “M.V. Lady Mac” Cruising Lake Macquarie with a newly refurbished interior and alfresco sun deck. Check out Boom Net, Biscuits Cruise, Loop the Lake Cruise, Lunch on the Lake Cruise or Sunset Dinner Cruise
• Cycle or walk along a paved pathway, running through the forest, peaceful bushland and wetland away from crowds between Adamstown and Belmont (15Km). Find out more Lake Macquarie City
• Cycling around Lake Macquarie from Eleebana to Booragul – 9Kms, nice and flat, so it makes for all the family
• Gaze in awe at the Pink Caves in Munmorah State Conservation Area are worth visiting to see the gorgeous glowing orchid-coloured rocks only at low tide and conditions are right. To get there, park along Hooey Street in Catherine Hill Bay and follow the beach access trail to Mooney Beach. Then walk on the rock platform around the headland for about 800-900 metres. Eleebana to Booragul
• Picnic and walk along the lakeside path in Warners Bay, admiring the sculptures and the stunning lake views. Or try Mount Sugarloaf whose summit is a 30-minute walk. See Mount Sugarloaf
• Visit Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie. You’ll find a café, retail shop, Sculpture Park and mosaic pathways
• Watagans National Park is close to Lake Macquarie yet feels so remote and where you can enjoy nature walks, or visit a lookout. There’s a superb waterfall along Gap Creek Falls track or experience a section of the Great North Walk. Try here Watagans National Park
• 4WD on Nine Mile Beach, 7 miles or 11 km (Nine Mile Beach)is an untouched stretch of sand backed by sand dunes and Belmont Wetlands State Park. Dogs permitted, but check if you need a permit for 4WD.
• Bushwalking in Wallarah National Park from Caves Beach carpark to the south of Pinny Beach, a 5Km walk, with a highlight being Spoon Rock Bay, an isolated beach sheltered by a breakwater, and its lookout. It’s a 2 hour hard graded walk. Bushwalking Wallarah National Park
• Visit Naru Beach is a small, delightful stretch of sand on the shore of Lake Macquarie. A perfect family beach since the water is shallow Naru Beach. Enjoy swimming, fishing and boating
• From May till November each year, thousands Humpback Whales travel from the Antarctic to warmer waters to mate and give birth, then return to the Antarctic with their calves. The best vantage points are Redhead Bluff, Awabakal Viewpoint, Caves Beach Coastal Walk and the Ken and Audrey Owens Walk
• Book a whale watch tour and experience via Coast XP
• Jetbuzz Watersport is located within Raffertys Resort. Children over 5 can hop on (booking is required)
• Take a scenic helicopter ride with Skyline Aviation Group
• Dullboy 10 pin bowling and mini-golf, putt putt, arcade games, TimeZone and diner, restaurant and bar!
• Fabulous views and walks around Norah Head Lighthouse – with a couple of snappy retail stores, cafes, and casual dining options in close vicinity.

• Good Eats

• For fish and chips and a thirst quenching drink drop into Caves Coastal Bar
• Tinta Belmont (highly recommend the crispy Loligo Calamari)
• Pop into Belmonts Common Circus for a boast worthy coffee
• Your little local cafe in Catherine Hill Bay is Coastal Haze Café, located at Corner of Montefiore St &, Hale St.
• Dive into a premium early morning cuppa at Double Shot Express O, 134 Pacific Hwy, Swansea
• Catherine Hill Hotel
• Enjoy racing and dropping into Lake Macquarie Yacht Club – see LMYC
• A spectacular lakefront setting provides the ultimate place to come together with family and friends at Tinta at Belmont
• On the waterfront at Trinity Bay is 8 at Trinity– 25-minute drive from Bay Keeper but is so spectacular, it’ll be worthwhile
• Inspired by Italian and Sicilian fare at Salina Restaurant, 626 Pacific Highway, Belmont. Has private dining room and alfresco garden, for relaxed or occasion dining
• An amazing Smokehouse and brew house Yard Brewery, Morriset as founded by 5 members of Catherine Hill Bay community

Foodies

• Great coffee served from a Vintage Van @mrbojanglescoffee located at Swansea,  right by the boat ramp and caravan and dog park from Thursday to Sunday from 6:30am till noon.
• Fabulous local bakery in Redhead – quiches are to die for and make a great family meal The Bakery at Redhead
• Pelicans Foreshore farmers and artisans markets are held there on the 1st Saturday of each month 9am to 1pm. see Pelican Foreshore Markets
• Lake Macquarie City Markets – open 7am to 1:30pm
• Home Grown Markets in Speers Point – check for days open Home Grown Markets Events Calendar
• Newcastle City Markets are open only on Sundays between 7 am to 1pm at Griffiths Rd, Broadmeadow
• For Vegans, check out The Vegan Van, open only on Saturday and Sundays 7am to 1:30pm at 22 Bandalong St, Toronto
• Buy fresh fish if you don’t catch any at  Dora Street Fish Market, located at 17 Wamsley St, Dora Creek (closed Sunday / Mondays)
• Oyster Lovers get local molluscs from Dawson’s Oysters
• More seafood from Shane’s Seafood at Carey Bay Shopping Village located at 8/17 Laycock St, Carey Bay (closed Sunday / Mondays)
• Finally there’s Steve’s Mega Seafoods that rates highly, located at  4/17 Wamsley St, Dora Creek. Closed only on Mondays

Retail Escapes

• Belmont and Swansea offer local shopping
• Groovy beach & casual wear (tees, boardies, sunnies etc) is worth a drive to Redhead to shop at Lone Clothing located at 111 Cowlishaw Street, Redhead next to an amazing bakery (quiches are fabulous).
• Charlestown Westfield
• Villa Lane Red Head

Travellarks acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land we live and work on, the Awabakal people. We recognize their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.