With the summer crowds dwindling and the weather still warm, it’s high time to hit Lake Macquarie armed with a bucket list bursting with diverse destinations and activities aplenty.
Even better, you don’t have to choose from the wide array of options on offer, we’ve done it for you.
Check out the fantastic five – at least for starters. There’s plenty more to explore in and around the lake’s shore…from hiking and beach strolls to fishing, historic homes and art galleries. Book into one of the region’s renowned caravan parks and see first-hand why they’re setting a new benchmark for high-end holiday travel.
Dobell House
Enjoying an idyllic location on the spectacular shores of beautiful Lake Macquarie is the heritage-listed Dobell House, home and studio of the late Sir William Dobell, one of the nation’s most famous painters.
Inside, enjoy a taste of the life and works of the Lake’s ‘Gentle Genius’ and explore the permanent exhibition, Dobell, his Life and Art, as well as a considerable collection of Dobell’s personal possessions and family heirlooms. And don’t forget the gardens which have been restored to their former glory, including many of Dobell’s original plantings, which are clearly identified.
Pulbah Island
The largest island in Lake Macquarie, Pulbah Island is approximately 1.6 kilometres in length and is known for the large boulders and caves which dot its foreshore. Visit the island’s northern side to explore shallow beaches and safe anchorages, or head south and prepare to be impressed by the island’s rocky outcrops and steep cliffs.
Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery
An exceptional cultural and tourist destination, Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery enjoys pride of place on the shores of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest coastal saltwater lake. With state-of-the-art seminar facilities, a sculpture park, mosaic pathways and the historic Awaba House Restaurant Café all on site, the art is just the beginning.
Highlights include indigenous projects, contemporary visual arts, craft and design practice and pieces by nationally significant artists and those from the Hunter region. Reaching the gallery is easy via the foreshore cycleway, the water, or by public transport.
Caves Beach
Famed for the network of sea caves which give it its name, Caves Beach is easily explored at low tide – and it’s well worth the wait. With well-maintained barbecue facilities and a picnic area, it’s a terrific location for a family day out.
Fernleigh Track
One of the most popular shared pathways in the entire region, the Fernleigh Track is beloved by walkers and cyclists alike. Following a disused coal rail line from Adamstown to Belmont, those meandering along the track will be treated to beautiful bushland and wetland areas.
Passing through Kahibah, Whitebridge, Redhead and Jewells, the track traverses Glenrock State Conservation Area, Awabakal Nature Reserve and the Belmont Wetlands State Park, and offers opportunities galore to observe some of the unique flora and fauna of the region.
But why stop at the first five? Book an extended stay and work your way through the entire bucket list – one scenic destination at a time.
To book your trip to Lake Macquarie, visit http://www.visitlakemac.com.au/ or call 1800 802 044.
