Explore

With a saltwater lake that’s twice the area of Sydney Harbour, a long coastline of beaches and cliffs, and mountains in the hinterland, there are plenty of places to explore in Lake Macquarie.

Follow the coastline

Refresh with a swim at the patrolled section of Redhead Beach or Blacksmiths Beach near Swansea, where Lake Macquarie connects to the ocean. Head south of Swansea to see the famous sea caves of Caves Beach and the beachside former mining town of Catherine Hill Bay. And feel the sea breeze on your face as you hike or mountain-bike through Glenrock State Conservation Area north of Redhead, Belmont Wetlands State Park near Belmont and Wallarah National Park near Catherine Hill Bay.

Explore the foreshore

When you’re not on or in the water, head to the Lake Arts Precinct at the northern end of Lake Macquarie. While away an afternoon taking in an exhibition at Booragul’s Museum of Arts and Culture yapang, discovering Speers Point’s Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima and family-friendly playground, and spotting public art on the foreshore of the dining and entertainment precinct of Warners Bay. Then head inland from Warners Bay to find the retail centre of Charlestown.

Glide out onto the lake from the sailing hub of Belmont, on the eastern shoreline, or cast a line in the waters around nearby Swansea. On the western shoreline, Morriset is your gateway to the southern fringes of the lake, a five-minute drive off the M1 Motorway.

A 20-minute drive along the western shoreline from Morriset, the idyllic Wangi Wangi peninsula extends right out into the centre of the lake. The largest town on the western shoreline, Toronto is another major dining and sailing destination.

Hit the hinterland for mountain biking and hiking

Make your way to the hills of Watagans National Park, in the hinterland to the west of the M1 Motorway, for great bushwalking – including a section of the Great North Walk from Sydney to Newcastle – rock-climbing and mountain biking in Awaba State Forest’s Awaba Mountain Bike Park.