PICTURE YOURSELF ON Lake Macquarie

Tucked between the Central Coast and the southern reaches of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie offers much if you’re looking for a quiet escape from the humdrum of city life.

This rich waterway covers 174km of coastline and over 100 square kilometres of water. The lake is 24km long and about 3½km at its widest. It’s four times the size of Sydney Harbour – space aplenty for everyone!

Luxury accommodation & cottages in Lake Macquarie, NSW

Most of the 92 towns and villages around the shores can be reached on bicycle, and there are some 25km of scenic designated cycle paths. With only the most gentle of undulations at lake level, this is an ideal way to burn off a few calories between meals.

There are a number of “eco-walks” in the area, which include:
• Black Ned’s Bay, a 2½km walk at the entrance to the lake at Swansea.
• Coon Island, two islands slowly silting together on the Swansea Peninsula.
• Awabakal Nature Reserve, located between Dudley and Redhead.
• Bangalay Reserve, near Windale off the Pacific Highway.
• Five Islands, at the northern tip of the lake at the mouth of Cockle Creek.
• Lake Eraring Walk, located on the western side of the lake between Eraring and Dora Creek, through ecologically significant salt-marsh areas.
• Cams Wharf, situated at the south-eastern part of Lake Macquarie, with a mix of dry and moist rainforest.
• Catherine Hill Bay, a small bay 2km long on the coast south east of Lake Macquarie. Naturally, most leisure activity happens on and around the lake, with activities including:
• Lunch and sunset cruises.
• Overnighting on a houseboat and watching dawn arrive over the water.
• Yachting and fishing.
• Exploring the secret coves and sandy beaches around the lake.
• Waterskiing on designated stretches of water.

This is where you put body and soul back together.