Fast facts
- A deep blue lake, surfing beaches and unspoilt bushland
- Famous for its village atmosphere and water sports
- 90 minutes’ drive north of Sydney
Why go there
Recognised as the largest coastal saltwater lake in Australia, Lake Macquarie is four times the size of Sydney Harbour. You can explore this vast aquatic playground by boat, jet ski, canoe, yacht or houseboat.
Linking the lake, beaches and mountains are more than 90 villages, offering great surfing spots and heritage-listed towns throughout the area.
Things to do
- Learn how to kite board.
- Go snorkelling or scuba diving around shipwrecks at Catherine Hill Bay.
- Explore the sea caves at Caves Beach at low tide.
- Take a lakeside walk in Greenpoint Reserve or Wangi Wangi Flora & Fauna Reserve.
- Ride a horse in the foothills of the Watagan Mountains at Cooranbong.
Don’t miss
- Dobell House, renowned painter Sir William Dobell’s residence and studio at Wangi Wangi.
- Boolaroo Cinema, an old-fashioned cinema showing recently released films.
- A guided night walk in Watagan Mountains National Park, where you might spot koalas and bandicoots.
- A cruise on serene Lake Macquarie.
- The Block, a quirky art gallery in the Mandalong Valley.
Events
- International Amateur Golf Championships, Belmont, in January.
- Loop the Lake Cycling Tour, starting at either Warners Bay or Belmont, in March.
- Triple O & Community Try Sailing Day, Lake Macquarie, in May.
- International Half Marathon, Warners Bay, in August.
- Back to the Bay Heritage Festival, around Catherine Hill Bay, in November.
