Guide to an Action-Packed Summer in Lake Mac
Panning a fun-in-the-sun getaway for the summer holidays? Don’t risk delays and cancellations at the airport, grab the family and head to lovely Lake Macquarie for the ultimate summer getaway, just 90 minutes north of Sydney. Fast becoming one of New South Wales’ most popular destinations for weekend escapes, mini breaks or week-long stays, this stunning coastal region offers plenty of wide-open spaces and beautiful beaches, with accommodation and activities to suit groups of all types and sizes.
So Many Options to Stay - and Play
Looking for plenty of space to spread out and chill out? Lake Macquarie is home to some of the state’s most stunning Airbnbs. Casbah at Caves Beach is the perfect spot if you’re looking to bring family or friends together. This newly renovated two-storey home sleeps up to 12 guests and includes a swimming pool, games/bunks room, pool table, fire pit, air-conditioning and gas fireplace so you can enjoy your stay all year round.
For those keen on creating long-lasting #familygoals, Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park is the ideal place to pitch your tent. Centrally located on the shores of Lake Macquarie, Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park enjoys a prime location in a tranquil, tree-studded park close to unspoilt, patrolled surf beaches, restaurants, cafes, local shopping, and licensed clubs.
Travelling with an active bunch? School holiday dates rolled around again? Kids or adults there’s plenty to do. No worries, there’s action aplenty with windsurfing, fishing, scuba diving, kiteboarding, sailing and swimming, in addition to tennis, mini-golf, basketball, a playground, barbeques, a boat ramp, camp kitchen and a recreation room all on site. Accommodation options range from powered tent sites to luxury poolside villas and self-contained cabins.
Adventure Is Out There
Thrill seekers will want to head straight to JetBuzz at Cams Wharf to strap in for a jet boat thrill ride. This is an exhilarating adventure, where you will enjoy a heart-stopping combination of high-speed slides and turns, 360° spins, power brake stops and fishtails as you reach speeds up to 80km/hr, so hold on to your hats and be prepared to get wet!
For serious adrenaline junkies, the mind-blowing reality of elite air racing as you tumble over beautiful Lake Macquarie is hard to beat. Book a flight with Matt Hall Racing for an unforgettable opportunity to experience high intensity aerobic manoeuvres including loops, barrel rolls and upside down flying.
If La Nina ruins a sunny day, or you’re looking to escape the summer heat, round up the crew and head to Dullboy’s Social Co which has a super cool arcade, dodgem cars, bowling, and mini golf. Even better, while the kids are off running amok, the “adults” can retreat to Dullboy’s Barcardia, for a video-game inspired cocktail creation or to book out the private karaoke room.
Your Daily Dose of Vitamin Sea
There are plenty of beaches and sandy inlets around the lake, as well as empty stretches of sand dunes to walk, sea caves to discover and a number of secret bays only accessible on foot. The ever popular Caves Beach has a network of sea caves that can be explored at low tide, perfect for those seeking more adventure after finishing the Caves Beach Coastal Walk.
Catherine Hill Bay Beach is another popular destination in Lake Macquarie for swimming, surfing, and fishing, and its iconic former coal-loading jetty - evidence of the area's mining history – is a popular photography spot.
Walk It Out
Lake Macquarie’s walking trails are nothing short of amazing. The Warners Bay Foreshore trail consists of 8.9 kilometres of walking track hugging the lake’s foreshore providing spectacular views and plenty of spots to stop for a coffee along the way. Starting at the Lions Park car park at Eleebana and finishing at the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery at Booragul, the Warners Bay Foreshore trail includes a 380-metre-long elevated boardwalk and is great for walkers of all abilities. Take advantage of the scenic views of Warners Bay by hiring a Beam e-bike giving you the opportunity to take in the natural beauty in its entirety. To hire an e-bike, download the Beam app to see where your nearest Beam bike can be found.
The Watagans Mountains are a hiker’s heaven and one of the region’s best-loved visitor spots. Home to spectacular waterfalls, lush rainforest gullies, bushwalking trails, picturesque picnic spots and more, the entire family will enjoy a return to nature in the Watagans, whether you’re looking for a peaceful stroll in the bush or a hardcore hike!
Don’t Forget Your Fur-Child!
Just a short stroll from one of New South Wales’ best-loved, off-leash beaches, Blacksmiths Beachside Holiday Park boasts beautiful grassy powered and unpowered sites suitable for your fur babies. Blacksmiths is the perfect base for lengthy strolls or ball games with your pampered pooch, or just kicking back and enjoying the long summer days by the campsite.
Before you leave, be sure to take the fur kids to Speers Point Fenced Dog Exercise Area – it’s bound to get tails wagging! This ‘paw-some’ facility located in Speers Point Park provides a 10,000m2 fenced, off-leash area complete with three dog agility stations, a water fountain for both pups and their owners, a shaded picnic table, bench chairs and of course plenty of green grass for your pooch to enjoy.
To plan your summer getaway or discover more of what Lake Macquarie has to offer, go to: visitlakemac.com.au
