REASONS TO STAY
BEACHES Lake Macquarie has more than 30 kilometres of pristine beaches, including Redhead Beach, Caves Beach, Murrays Beach, Catherine Hill Bay Beach and Blacksmiths Beach. They’re great places for swimming, surfing, fishing, snorkelling and watching from the sand.
MARKETS Enjoy music, fresh produce and beautiful artisan and fair-trade products at two regular lively markets.
Lake Macquarie Farmers’ Market, Speers Point Park, Speers Point, 0427 586 079, lake macquarie farmers market.com.au; Pelican Foreshore Market, Pelican Foreshore, Lakeview Parade, Pelican, 0422 582 773, blackcastleevents.com.au/markets
NATURE WALKS The region offers dozens of stunning nature walks. Enjoy the wild, beautiful coastline or venture into the Watagan Mountains.
visitlakemac.com.au/what-to-seeand-do/walking-trails
SPORTING FACILITIES There are more than 100 sporting venues in the area, including the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, which caters for everyone from recreational to elite players. lakemac.com.au
EAT
BOFFEE A chic, family-owned café on the beach front specialising in coffee and all-day breakfasts. 64 Caves Beach Road, Caves Beach, (02) 4972 1861
COMMON CIRCUS Discover coffee and sweet treats nestled in a homewares store. 36 Brooks Parade, Belmont, (02) 4023 7160, commoncircus.com.au
SALINA Modern Italian cuisine with an alfresco dining area and children’s meals. 626 Pacific Highway, Belmont, (02) 4945 3005, salina.com.au
TABLE 1 ESPRESSO The place to go for a relaxed breakfast or lunch on the lake. 2/450 The Esplanade, Warners Bay, (02) 4948 1115, table1espresso.com.au
THE ROYAL CROWN A classic pub with a breezy beer garden in nearby Newcastle. 94 Ocean Street, Dudley, (02) 4944 7698, royalcrownhotel.com.au
THE MULBERRY A Cuban-inspired old-world bar in the Toronto Hotel overlooking the lake with a cocktail menu that focuses on varieties of rum.
74 Victory Parade, Toronto, (02) 4959 1033, torontohotel.com.au
SHOP
CHARLESTOWN SQUARE Get your retail fix at the largest shopping centre in the region. Retailers include Sephora, Apple, H&M, and Myer. 30 Pearson Street, Charlestown, (02) 4944 4333, charlestownsquare.com.au
DAISY GRACE A carefully curated selection of homewares, decor, gifts and fashion. 2/158 Pacific Highway, Swansea, (02) 4971 4013
LOVE FARMHOUSE STYLE Choose from home decor items and locally made art, candles and wreaths, or sign up for one of their craft workshops to learn a new skill. 38 York Street, Teralba, 0432 188 245, lovefarmhousestyle.com.au
STAY
BLUEBELL RETREAT HOUSE
An award-winning eco house in Wallarah National Park on the shores of Lake Macquarie. Ideal for nature lovers.
10 Saltwater Row, Murrays Beach, (02) 4921 0740, bluebellretreat.com.au
CAVES COASTAL BAR AND BUNGALOWS Choose from 18 beach bungalows, 24 villas or 10 townhouses, plus on-site dining with a focus on paddock to plate fare. 27 Mawson Close, Caves Beach, (02) 4980 9999, cavescoastal.com.au IN2THEWILD TINY HOUSES
This eco-friendly house is located on rainforest acreage in Wyee is a peaceful retreat from the world that sleeps up to four people. in2thewild.co
SELBY COTTAGE A self-contained historic cottage set on the edge of the lake. 151 Marks Point Road, Marks Point, (02) 4947 7760, selbycottage.com.au For more information on places to stay in Lake Macquarie, see page 147.
“The coastline is pretty much untouched and there are many different venues to visit on the lake…”