Extended Description:
The essence of Lake Macquarie is relaxed, coastal living, by the beach, on the lakes edge and up in the mountains. Whichever one you're after, Lake Macqaurie is the ideal NSW coastal holiday destination. This beautiful city is laiden with stunning natural attractions. Long stretches of sandy beach and coastline join with a lake that appears as a vast inland sea. Backdropping this is the Watagan Mountain wilderness area, a pristine environment which offers a birds eye view of the lower Hunter Region. Linking the beaches, lake and mountains are over ninety villages and communities dotted throughout the city. Quiet beachside suburbs, bustling lakeside communities, key town centres and sleepy mountainside villages all combine to give the city a relaxed tone.
Just 90 minutes drive north of Sydney and you have exchanged a chaotic city pace for a peaceful, laidback retreat, where you cannot help but slow down.
For your Lake Macquarie Accommodation please browse below.
Activity Info:
What to do in Lake Macquarie
The city of Lake Macquarie is located 90 minutes drive north of Sydney, 10 minutes from Newcastle, and 40 minutes from Hunter Wine Country and the NSW Central Coast. Besides the breathtaking lake there are pristine coastal and sandy lake beaches and the spectacular Watagan Mountains towards the west.
The Beaches..
The three most popular beaches in the area are Blacksmiths beach, Catherine Hill Bay and Caves Beach.
Blacksmiths Beach is at the southern end of a nine mile stretch of coastline, which runs from Redhead down to the Swansea Channel. It is a popular family beach, which is patrolled in the warmer months and has an active surf lifesaving club.
Catherine Hill Bay is a tiny heritage village, where you feel as though you have stepped back in time. Largely untouched by development, the coastline looks as it would have 100 years ago, with a stunning beach, popular for fishing, surfing and swimming. The beach also has the unusual icon of a large coal-loading jetty, which has only recently been decommissioned. Patrolled in the warmer months, Catherine Hill Bay beach is also home to the Catho Classic in January, and has featured a number of cult surf movies.
Well-known for its namesake - a network of sea caves at the southern end of the beach - Caves Beach offers a great family day out, with well maintained BBQ facilities and picnic areas. The beach runs for just 300m to the north to Swansea (Hams) Beach and at low tide the caves can be explored.
The Lake..
The first impression of Lake Macquarie that surprises most people is its immense size. As one of Australia's largest coastal saltwater lakes, Lake Macquarie has been a popular sailing spot as well as a great holiday destination for many years.Be sure to involve yourself in some of the all time favourite water activities on and around the lake:
* fishing off the jetties
* hiring canoes & tinnies
* water and jet skiing
* walking and cycling along over the 170km of the lake's forshore
* taking a cruise on the lake
* hiring peddle cats & aqua bikes
* drifting around the lake on a houseboat or yacht
Mountains..
Providing the stunning backdrop to this city is the Watagan Mountain wilderness area, a pristine environment which offers a birds eye view of the lower Hunter Region. Here you can enjoy a relaxing picnic amongst the giant pine trees at The Pines and then be awed by the stunning valley views from Heaton Lookout or perhpas you'd like to take a walk along the Boarding House Dam to the moss wall. This area is truly breathtaking and is perfect to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Shopping..
- On the weekend head down to the Morisset Mega Market, bag a bargain and discover new treasures from plants to CDs to the latest fashion in hundreds of stalls. Plus, you will always find something exciting happening in the Clearence Court and Factory Outlets. For something a little different drop into Warners Bay & Toronto for some exclusive boutique shopping or delight in rare crystals & gems at The Elephant Shop.
Art..
Due to its location and quality of programming, the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery is unique amongst regional galleries in Australian. The gallery has received many national, state, and regional awards in tourism and Indigenous programming. The contemporary craft outlet features many locally and nationally respected craftspeople. An ideal place to buy handcrafted ceramics, glass, textiles, art journals, books, catalogues, greeting cards, artist packs, and novelty items. The major focus of the collection, including the works in the sculpture garden, reflect our unique location - Still Waters Clear Visions. We are also the custodians of a number of works by well-known Australian artists, including Sir William Dobell. Admission to the gallery is free.
Where to Eat in Lake Macquarie
Lake Macquarie is blessed with some of the best restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues in the Hunter.From a la carte dining to friendly bistros and casual cafes, waterside dining is in abundance. Fresh seafood, the best local produce and superb Hunter wines are always on the menu when you dine in Lake Macquarie! You can dine waterside in picturesque little townships like Pelican, Swansea, Toronto and Belmont or take your pick from the many fabulous eateries at Warners Bay.
What's On
The Back to the Bay Heritage Festival in Catherine Hill Bay Featurers a themed art Show, Bay Bash, Old Timers Re-union, Heritage Walk, Eco- Tour, Outdoor Community Festival with Artisan, Antique and Collectables Market; Food Fair and Live Jazz, Blues and Brass Music. Held in early November - this years' 'Back to the Bay' Festival is set to be bigger than ever!
Heritage Afloat is an annual event held every Easter at Toronto, Lake Macquarie NSW. Heritage Afloat includes the participation and exhibition of traditional and classic boats - steam, sail, motor and oared craft of all sizes from all over Australia. A parade of boats, sailing, Putt-Putt and rowing races, a nautical treasure hunt, demonstrations, blessing of the fleet, displays relating to heritage boat activities, boats and boat bits on sale, vintage cars and hotrods, kids games, live entertainment and of course the "Quick and Dirty" boat building competition all combine to make Heritage Afloat a wonderful experience for people of all ages.
Dobell House is the home and studio of the late Sir William Dobell, one of Australia's most famous painters and the Dobell House Arts & Crafts Festival is traditionally held during the last weekend in October each year and recently extended to run over both the Saturday and the Sunday.
Weather Info:
Lake Macquarie enjoys a temperate climate with average daily maximum temperatures ranging from 25.6 degrees celcius in January to 16.7 degrees celcius in July. Minimum daily temperatures range from 19.1 degrees celcius in January to 8.4 degrees celcius in July. Rainfall is highest in March through to June with approximately 100mm falling per month.
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Brief Description:
Lake Macquarie
Travel Info:
Lake Macquarie is easily accessible by land, air and water. The city is located just 90 minutes drive from North Sydney along the F3 freeway. If you are catching the train, there are hourly services between Sydney and Wyee, Morisset, Fassifern and Cardiff. Newcastle airport also has daily services to and from the major cities in Australia. Coming to Lake Macquarie by water? Swansea Channel is the entry point into the lake.
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