Things to do around Lake Macquarie

Lake Macquarie consists of kilometres 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. If you’re after adventure, relaxation, or a bit of both, Lake Macquarie has it all.

Wellness & Pampering Around Lake Macquarie: Rejuvenate Body and Mind

• Sol Remedial Massage: in nearby Swansea is a place to chill out and rejuvenate.
• Elysium Skin Studio: Treat yourself to luxurious facials and skincare treatments in Caves Beach not far away
• Verve For Life: Combining movement and fitness, goal-setting and education, rehabilitation and relaxation in one destination. It offers a fantastic range of classes – Iyengar Yoga, CrossFit, Small Group Training, Pilates, and Movement. They also have onsite physiotherapists, a naturopath and massage therapists. 10a/311 Hillsborough Rd, Warners Bay NSW 
• The Yoga Place: Sustainability and passion 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 Around Lake Macquarie

Water Activities –

• Surf, Swim, and Snorkel: Enjoy the pristine beaches at Caves Beach, Blacksmiths, Redhead Beaches, or Newcastle Beaches (e.g. Merewether and Bar Beach).
• Water Sports Hire: Rent a boat, SUP (stand-up paddleboard), or kayak and explore the stunning waters of Lake Macquarie.
• Fishing: Lake Macquarie is a haven for fishing enthusiasts, with prime spots such as Swansea Channel for dusky flathead, bream, yellowtail kingfish, whiting, and luderick. Don’t have a boat? Try Sandy Bottom Boat Charters for a hassle-free experience. 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.
• Luxury Yacht Charter: For a more luxurious experience, indulge in a sailing cruise with Sail Lake Macquarie and explore the lake’s pristine waters.
• Whale Watching: From May to November, catch sight of majestic Humpback Whales migrating along the coast. The best vantage points include Redhead Bluff, Awabakal Viewpoint, Caves Beach Coastal Walk, and the Ken and Audrey Owens Walk. Book a whale watch tour with Coast XP.
• Jetbuzz Watersport is located within Raffertys Resort. Enjoy thrilling water activities suitable for children over 5 (booking required).
• 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 and Biscuits Cruise, Loop the Lake Cruise, Lunch on the Lake Cruise or Sunset Dinner Cruise.

Other Outdoor Adventures Around Lake Macquarie

• Lake Macquarie Variety Playground: The largest playground between the Central Coast and Newcastle, located at Speers Point Park. Features a picnic area and kiosk. Find out more Lake Macquarie Council
• Cycling and Walking Trails: There’s plenty of various scenic paths in the area, such as the 15km trail through Adamstown and Belmont, or the 9km route around Lake Macquarie from Eleebana to Booragul. Perfect for families! Find out more Lake Macquarie City
• Pink Caves at Munmorah State Conservation Area: Visit the Pink Caves to see glowing orchid-colored rocks (best during low tide). Reach them by parking at Hooey Street in Catherine Hill Bay. To get there, 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
• Picnics at Warners Bay: Enjoy a leisurely picnic and walk along the lakeside path at Warners Bay, with stunning lake views and sculptures along the way.
• Hike Mount Sugarloaf: For a panoramic view, hike Mount Sugarloaf in a 30-minute walk to the summit.
• Museum of Art and Culture: Visit the Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, featuring a café, retail shop, Sculpture Park, and mosaic pathways.
• Wataganss National Park: Explore nature trails, visit lookouts, or experience Gap Creek Falls in Watagans National Park. A great spot for bushwalking and nature lovers.
• 4WD Adventure at Nine Mile Beach: Enjoy 4WD on the untouched stretch of Nine Mile Beach, which is backed by sand dunes and the Belmont Wetlands State Park.
• Bushwalking in Wallarah National Park: A 5km hike from Caves Beach car park to Pinny Beach, passing by Spoon Rock Bay—an isolated beach.
• Visit Naru Beach:  It’s a lovely, small and family-friendly stretch of sand, perfect for swimming, fishing, and boating.
• Dullboys: Social Co: There’s less work and more play here as you gather the the family for a fun-filled day with 10-pin bowling, mini-golf, putt-putt, arcade games, and TimeZone. Plus, enjoy a bite to eat at the diner, restaurant, or unwind with a drink at the bar. Perfect for both kids and adults!
• Fabulous views and walks around Norah Head Lighthouse – with a couple of snappy retail stores, cafes, and casual dining options in close vicinity.
• Scenic Helicopter Ride: Take a breathtaking helicopter tour with Skyline Aviation Group for aerial views of Lake Macquarie and the surrounding landscapes.
• Skydive Australia at nearby Belmont Airport. Find out more Sky Dive Newcastle

Good Eats Around Lake Macquarie

• For fish and chips and a thirst quenching drink, drop into Caves Beach Coastal Bar
• Tinta Belmont (highly recommend the crispy Loligo Calamari), Shop 2, 20 The Esplanade, Belmont, NSW
• Pop into Belmonts Common Circus for a boast worthy coffee. 4/3-7 The Esplanade, Belmont, NSW
• Your little local cafe in Catherine Hill Bay is Coastal Haze Café, located at Corner of Montefiore St and Hale St.
• Dive into a premium early morning cuppa at Double Shot Express O, 134 Pacific Hwy, Swansea
• Catherine Hill Hotel – a local fav at 7/9 Catherine Hill Bay Rd, Catherine Hill Bay, NSW
• Enjoy racing and dropping in for a meal at the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club – LMYC at 1B King Street, Belmont, NSW
• On the waterfront at Trinity Bay is 8 at Trinity– 25-minute drive from Bay Keeper but is so spectacular, it’ll be worthwhile. Trinity Point Drive, Morisset Park, NSW
• Inspired by Italian and Sicilian fare at Salina Restaurant. There’s a private dining room and a nice outdoor garden for relaxed or occasion dining. 626 Pacific Highway, Belmont, NSW
• An amazing Smokehouse and Brew house Yard Kings Brewery, Morriset, as founded by 5 members of the Catherine Hill Bay community. Relish smoky meats, great craft beer, mouth-watering BBQ, live music and easy parking.beers at 11/124-130 Dora Street, Morisset, NSW
• The Waterfront Café, Swansea: Lovely casual dining with stunning water views. 2/19-21 Lake Road, Swansea, NSW
• The Galley Kitchen, Wangi Wangi: fresh, seasonal menu, specialising in local seafood and a range of gourmet options with views over the water. Wangi Wangi Public Wharf, Wangi Wangi, NSW
• The Boathouse Café, Belmont: This place is by the water as the name suggests and serves up fresh, delicious meals. 45 The Esplanade, Belmont, NSW

Foodies Around Lake Macquarie

• 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.
• The fabulous local, Redhead Bakehouse – quiches and pies of all varieties are to die for plus amazing coffee! Owner Gareth began his baking journey in 1998 as an apprentice baker in Belmont. After a lot of hard work, dedication and passion in producing quality pies and baked treats, Gareth, along with his wife Lauren, developed a fabulous baking team around the Hutchinson-Green family. Today, the ol’ Redhead Hot Bread Shop is now a thriving bakehouse with hand-picked staff who carried the same ethos of quality and care. Head to 113 Cowlishaw St 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
• 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). You’ll find Abalone, mussels and oysters to king crabs, live lobsters, snapper and barramundi; you name it –  these guys have it.
• Steve’s Mega Seafoods that rates highly too, at 4/17 Wamsley St, Dora Creek. Closed only on Mondays. Ph (02) 4970 4450
• Award winning Vita – Cafe and Restaurant is a must! Tuck into some fresh handcrafted French pastries baked in house daily with great coffee, sausage rolls & toasties.226 Watkins Rd, Wangi Wangi, Lake Macquarie, NSW

Retail Escapes Around Lake Macquarie: Best Shopping Spots

• Belmont and Swansea are home to a wide range of local shops, where you can explore everything from fashion boutiques to fresh produce markets. Belmont features several independent retailers perfect for browsing, while Swansea offers quaint shops with unique finds.
• Lone Clothing, Redhead: Groovy beach & casual wear (tees, boardies, sunnies etc) is worth a drive. It’s next door to the Redhead Bakery next to an amazing pie or delicious quiche.  111 Cowlishaw Street, Redhead, NSW
• Charlestown Westfield: From fashion and electronics to beauty and homeware. 30 Pearson Street, Charlestown, NSW
• Villa Lane, Redhead: For a unique mix of homewares, gifts, and coastal-inspired décor.
• Wyee Village Shops: In the quieter part of Lake Macquarie, with boutiques, jewellry, and home décor.
• Warners Bay Village: A little retail therapy by the lake. Retail Therapy by the Lake.
• Lake Macquarie City Farmers Markets: Fresh local produce & artisan goods. Held weekly, these markets also sell handmade goods, and locally crafted jewellery. 41 First Street, Booragul, NSW
• Toronto Shopping Centre: You’ll find boutiques and cafés here at 130-134 The Boulevard, Toronto, NSW
• Doyalson Village Shops: These are slightly off the beaten track and offers a more relaxed shopping experience with vintage stores, art galleries, and local artisan shops. Doyalson, NSW

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