LAKE MACQUARIE

IT MAY BE NSW’S THIRD-LARGEST REGIONAL CENTRE, BUT LAKE MACQUARIE STILL MAINTAINS A RELAXED COASTAL VIBE.

“WE’VE BEEN LUCKY enough to befriend this dolphin who follows us around from job to job,” Jarryd Duffey explains as he drives home after a day on the water. “Every time

I see someone in town they ask how the dolphin is going.”

It’s not every day that a marine mammal, who’s been named Miami, becomes your business buddy, but Jarryd lives and works at Lake Macquarie, a place of wild oceans, serene lakes, mountains and endless beaches.

After years in the mining industry, the 30-year-old pursued his dream of working on the water. Now the owner and a skipper of Lake Macquarie Moorings and Marine Services, Jarryd loves every minute of his job, where he encounters small sharks, big stingrays and the occasional seal as well as his dolphin companion, who he can identify by the scar above her right eye.

Lake Macquarie is located a 90 minute drive north of Sydney on the shores of a salt lake twice the size of Sydney Harbour. With a population of 204,914 and covering more than 757 square kilometres, it’s the third-largest regional centre in NSW. It also has a unique geography that incorporates nine town centres circling the lake, each with their own distinct identity. Catherine Hill Bay, an old mining town nestled in the secluded area south of the lake, has breathtaking beaches and a sleepy town feel. To the north of the lake are more bustling hubs, such as waterside Warners Bay and Charleston.

Despite its size, this popular holiday destination is still known for its relaxed lifestyle and pristine natural environment. To the east lies 32 kilometres of coastline, including four patrolled beaches, and to the west you’ll find Watagan Mountains incorporating 13 forests, plenty of bushwalks and beautiful places to stay.

“You’ve only got to visit it once to appreciate it,” explains Jarryd. “The coastline is pretty much untouched and there are many different venues to visit on the lake that you can drive to with your boat.”

Emma Mcdonald, 29, has a completely different view of the stunning coastline — quite literally. She works as a full-time pilot and operations manager at Matt Hall Racing, based out of Lake Macquarie Airport and moved to Lake Macquarie 18 months ago from Peterborough, Victoria. Since then, Emma has been dazzled by the area. “I love it — the lake, the beach. It’s so beautiful to fly around,” she says. “The colours are amazing.”

Emma enjoys visiting the local beaches, particularly popular Caves Beach, which features a network of sea caves that can be explored at low tide and family-friendly picnic facilities. “There’s always an activity going on — there’s always something happening,” she explains. “I love the people as well. I’ve been to places all around Australia but this is hands down my favourite.” >

For more information, visit lakemac.com.au

MEDIAN HOUSE PRICE $600,000 MEDIAN RENTAL PRICE $450 per week BY THE NUMBERS The market ranges from $450,000 to $500,000 for entry-level homes and can reach about $1.97 million for waterfront properties. Small acreages start at around $1 million. MARKET WATCH “There are a lot of retirees moving up from Sydney,” says Kerrie Wright, Prdnationwide Central Coast real estate agent. “They get beautiful waterfront properties for half the price.” Rental yield is a healthy 3.7 per cent (above metropolitan Sydney’s 2.9 per cent) and there’s been a quarterly price growth of 4.7 per cent. Overall, activity is increasing around Lake Macquarie, resulting in improved competition and accelerated price growth. Kerrie says many buyers in the area are local families who are upsizing. A koala at Blackbutt Reserve. Sadly, due to the fires, the wild koala population has been decimated. To help our koalas, donate to the Koala Hospital, (02) 6584 1522, koalahospital.org.au or WIRES, 1300 094 737, wires.org.au FACING PAGE The 360m-long Red Bluff Boardwalk in Warners Bay is part of a longer walk.