Learn About the Top Activities You Can Do in the City of Lake Macquarie
The city of Lake Macquarie is located in Central Coast and is considered one of the fastest growing areas in Australia. The main highlight of the city is the lake itself, but other than that, it is also flanked by the ocean, beautiful beaches and mountains. With an almost perfect climate, Lake Macquarie offers the best recreation opportunities including visits to wineries, bushwalking, game fishing, cultural events and sailing. Whatever activities you want to do, consider bus hire in Newcastle with a driver as it will make the commuting in and around the city easier and more convenient.
Visit Lake Macquarie City Gallery
This is one of the most exceptional cultural destinations in the city. Located at the shores of Lake Macquarie, this precinct embraces a sculpture park, massive leafy grounds and an award-winning exhibition facility. Lively gallery-curated exhibitions featuring the work of nationally recognized artists alternate with touring shows to make every visit a unique one. The gallery shop offers a wide selection of hand-crafted jewellery, ceramics, textiles and glass. You will also find novelty items, catalogues, books, cards and exhibition-related items.
Fishing in Lake Macquarie
With more than 280 species of fish, Lake Macquarie certainly holds great promise for a bountiful catch. There are several places along the shore of the lake great for this activity, including Fisherman’s Warehouse Tackle World, Lucy’s Wall, Marmong Point Marina, Rathmines Park, Pelican Foreshore Reserve, Speers Point Park, Reel Therapy Charters, Toronto Foreshore and Warner’s Bay Shore.
Watagans National Park
This is the place where you’ll find Illawarra trees and red cedar line that walking trails to Gap Creek Falls. Monkey Face Lookout above the Martinsville Valley provides picturesque views of the surrounding and so do many other high points around the national park. Boarding House Dam’s picnic area offers a paddle on hot summer days or rainforest walks along the creek. The fact that it is set among blue gum and huge Blackbutt trees is a bonus for visitors.
Visit The Elephant Shop
Visiting The Elephant Shop will feel like a tour through the world as it houses carefully selected artefacts and crystals splendidly created by nature. In addition, this venue brings a whole new dimension to globetrotting across places and time periods. For example, you will learn about ancient Egypt and the African region; the Chinese charm and Feng Shui through semi-precious decoration items, gemstones and crystals; and the allure of Thailand represented through exquisite artwork, decorator items and furniture.
Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area
This coastal and lakeshore forest area spreads over a length of more than 16 kilometres in 6 sections around the lake. It is an important habitat for several animal species, including kangaroos, gliders, wallabies and many birds. In addition to seeing wildlife, it also offers opportunities for fishing, picnicking, boating and bushwalking. Awaba Bay and Wangi Wangi Point have established excellent areas for walking, having picnics, and fishing. This area is also great for bird watching.
Catherine Hill Bay
This is a tiny beach village lined with old miners’ houses. It is also characterised by a beautiful beach with regular mid-sized waves. Catherine Hill Bay is home to a long coal loading jetty which can be found at the southern side and which is evidence of the village’s coal industry history. It’s interesting that men and nature are constantly at a conflict here, as the residents put in efforts on a daily basis to save the bay from developers.
Springloaded Trampoline Parks
This facility was built on a passion for fitness, skill development and more importantly, having fun. The founder, John Reynolds, has strong roots in the field of gymnastics. His inspiration was to provide an avenue where individuals of all ages will come and have fun. The facility is designed for all skill levels, including Kinder Springers to Adult Jumpers. The former describes those who are under eight years old. Highlights include Foam Pits, Dodgeball Arena, Performance Areas with an Extreme Zone and Tumble Trampolines.
Dobell House
Located at the shores of Lake Macquarie, Dobell House is the home and studio of one of Australia’s greatest artists, Sir William Dobell. Exploring the home gives visitors a glimpse of the artist’s family mementos, personal memorabilia and original furniture. The house is home to an extensive exhibition that showcases his work and life from the 1920’s until he died in 1970 at Wangi. The studio has been maintained in its original condition that it was in at the time of his death.
One can also listen to a 1963 radio interviewed where the artists talked about his life and work. Other highlights include a video program where he was interviewed inside the house, as well as a transcript of a 1944 court case where NSW Art Gallery and Dobell sued two entrants who claimed that a prize-winning painting of Joshua Smith by Dobell wasn’t a real portrait.
Exploring the city of Lake Macquarie can be quite exciting. There is so much to do and see, and the experience definitely gets better when you charter a Newcastle bus with driver for your day trips here.