When the cooler weather rolls in, there’s still plenty of things to see and do in Lake Macquarie. So grab the whole family for some wintery fun.
Head to one of Lake Mac’s many playgrounds
All kids love a playground, right? Well, if you’ve got little ones in tow, you’re in luck, as Lake Mac has plenty of fun places to play, climb, wriggle and slide.
- Speers Point Variety Playground
The Speers Point Variety Playground is the best in the region and is suitable for all abilities. Set over 2 hectares right next to the lake, there’s something for everyone. This includes a 12-metre climbing tower, dual flying fox, 9-metre slide, water play area and bike circuit, plus tactile equipment for the vision-impaired, a wheelchair-accessible play boat and a quiet zone. The play area is fully fenced and there are accessible pathways, toilets and covered picnic facilities.
- Bernie Goodwin Memorial Park
Bernie Goodwin Memorial Park at Morisset received a colourful $2 million refurb in 2020, so is looking swish. The park is separated into three zones to cater to younger children, older children and adults. The kids can try out the stand-up see-saw, roundabout, climbing nets and interactive play-panels. The park is wheelchair friendly.
- Webb Park
The beach theme at the Webb Park playground in Redhead is very fitting, given its seaside location. There’s a wave-shaped climbing structure, which is always a hit (kids can spider-climb up then slide down) and the flying fox is good for older kids. The littlies will enjoy the short slides and climbing walls.
Visit the Watagan Mountains
Watagans National Park is a beautiful spot to get amongst nature. The mountainous park has a series of walking trails, which will take you through rainforest and bushland, and past waterfalls and scenic lookouts.
The 20-minute loop walk to Boarding House Dam is a great walk for the kids, as you’ll pass many unusual rock formations and a 110-metre-long moss-covered rock wall.
The Pines Trail is ideal for families too. This 45-minute loop walk covers 1.1 kilometres and takes you through eucalypt forests and rainforest, and there’s a rock pool and Aboriginal grooves ground into sandstone.
Both the Boarding House Dam and Pines Trail have picnic areas, so bring a packed lunch for a lovely day out.
Explore the Fernleigh Track
The Fernleigh Track straddles Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and lets you explore a former heritage railway route between Adamstown and Belmont. The track is mostly flat and the footpath is wide and well-maintained.
You can tackle the 15-kilometre track on foot, or jump on your bikes to enjoy one of the region’s most spectacular landscapes. As well as peaceful foliage with plenty of plants and lizards, you can see the Burwood Colliery dam and signal boxes and tunnels from the old rail line.
Though you’ll feel far away from it all, there are often facilities, including toilets and cafes, close to the track if you need to nip out for a break.
The track has multiple entry points, so you can shorten the walk to suit your family’s ability and energy levels. This includes the Glenrock State Conservation Area, Station Street in Whitebridge and Cowlishaw Street in Redhead (all have parking).
Watch a family-friendly movie at Lake Cinema
This independent single-screen cinema in Boolaroo makes for a great family outing. The cinema opened in 1974 and has been one of Lake Mac’s treasures ever since. Keep an eye out for family-friendly movies (including the school holiday program) online.
Go ice-skating at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium
In Warners Bay you can carve the ice for some real winter fun. Skating frames are available for beginners (there’s a designated area for newbies too) and you can sign up for lessons to build your skill and confidence.
There’s a cafe on site and entry is free if you just want to watch with a hot chocolate in hand.
Wheelchairs and prams are permitted on the ice so long as they’re supervised. Learn more.
Play mini-golf, bowling and arcade games at Dullboy’s Social Co
Dullboy’s Social Co is a modern and stylish venue where there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained for hours. Hit up the games arcade, take a putt on the mini-golf course, roll a bowling ball in the alley, or hoon about in a dodgem car before taking a break at the American-style diner. You can easily spend a whole day here and it’s a great spot for a kid’s party.
Visit the Dullboy's website for more information.
Ride the trails on a mountain bike
There are plenty of great spots for mountain biking in Lake Macquarie and family favourites include the Awaba Mountain Bike Park, Glenrock State Conservation Area and Holmesville MTB area.
Awaba’s ‘development’ track is good for kids and the junior downhill trail ‘Faulk Line’ is suitable for intermediate riders. The trails are free and open every day, though sometimes certain trails can be closed for events, so check the Hunter Mountain Bike Association website for details. https://hmba.asn.au/
Here, 34 kilometres of trails wind through open forest and bushland, past Leichhardt’s lookout, beautiful waterfalls and Burwood Beach. Tracks marked with a green circle are good for beginners.
Holmesville offers both single and double-track options suitable for all skill levels. You can repeat shorter trails, or head off on a longer ride to make a day of it. Keep in mind that these tracks have multiple uses, so be aware of motorbikes, horses and runners.
Visit the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang
The Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie (MAC), yapang is an excellent place for cultural immersion. You can talk the kids through the various artworks (exhibitions rotate, so there’s always something new to look at), and there are kids’ art classes available. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the 5-hectare Sculpture Park by the lake, or grab lunch at the Sculpture Cafe.
For more ideas on what to do with your family in Lake Macquarie view our Visitor Guide and Map for free online here.