The Esplanade Motel
Newcastle★ ★ ★
Modern motel located moments from the sparkling waters of Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay dining hub.
from $130
Three days of adventure in Lake Macquarie
Day 1
Morning
Fly into Newcastle Airport and collect your hire car. From here, the northern shores of Lake Macquarie are an easy 40-minute drive south.
Brunch at Mama P Wholefoods
Start your trip off the right way, with the colourful, plant-based menu at Mama-P Wholefoods. Make sure you save room for one of their bite-sized mini cakes or truffle balls!
Jet boat thrill ride with JetBuzz Watersports
Feel the breeze on your skin and a sense of adventure as you speed across the water on the JetBuzz Watersports Lake Thrill Ride. Laugh with joy as your driver performs fishtails, power brake stops and more.
JetBuzz also offers kayak, SUP or runabout hire (no boat license required!) for those who prefer to explore at their own pace.
Afternoon
Bushwalks or biking – take your pick!
Back on land, this afternoon you can choose to explore on either two feet, or two wheels.
Reconnect to natural beauty at Glenrock State Conservation Area with breathtaking bushwalks through rainforests and past lookouts and waterfalls. Check out the Yuelarbah Track or the Bombala Track, which is a walk through the forest to Dudley Beach.
If your idea of fun involves jumping in the saddle, head to the Royal Crown Hotel and hire a bike to take on the nearby Fernleigh Track, a heritage rail trail that takes you on a journey through forest, wetland and an ancient sand dune system.
Evening
Look up at the stars as you dine al fresco at Royal Crown’s Insta-friendly beer garden. Expect a colourful menu with a Japanese influence and select a local craft beer or Hunter Valley wine.
Where to stay
Day 2
Morning
Breakfast at Table 1 Espresso
Indulge in a decadent breakfast at Table 1 Espresso, the Hunter’s home of extraordinary ‘dessert’ breakfast foods. M&M waffles anyone?
Abseil down a waterfall in Watagans National Park
Gap Creek Falls is the jewel of the Watagan Mountains, a dramatic rock amphitheatre tucked deep within the rainforest, boasting cascades of more than 40m after heavy rainfall. Get up close and personal to the Falls with Out and About Adventures,, whose friendly and knowledgeable leaders will guide you safely through the process of abseiling off a cliff and descending down 45m of sandstone alongside the cascades.
Afternoon
Lunch at Burger Bros. at The Boatshed
Revel in your newfound adventures with a fuel up at Burger Bros. at The Boatshed, which serves up mouth-watering, juicy burgers, as well as wings, loaded fries and one of Lake Macquarie’s largest selection of craft beers on tap.
Coastal sightseeing or catching waves
Connect to the past in the historic mining village of Catherine Hill Bay has cute miner’s cottages lining the streets. The former coal-loading jetty stretches out over the water and is one of the last remaining ocean jetties on the east coast of Australia. It makes a beautiful photo opportunity. Lovely lookouts include Catho Lookout, off Flowers Drive, and the Catherine Hill Bay Surf Life Saving Club.
Now you may have heard of the Insta-famous Caves Beach sea caves, but we’re about to let you in on a little-known local secret. South of Catherine Hill Bay, at Moonee Beach, you can walk along the sand around the next headland to discover the smaller but equally as photogenic Ghosties Beach sea caves. Time your visit with low tide for the safest access.
Brush up your surfing skills at numerous surf schools operating on Lake Macquarie beaches year-round, including Learn to Surf Newcastle and Newcastle Surf School. Women Soulful Surf at Caves Beach offers dedicated females-only surf and yoga lessons in a safe, supportive and fun environment, perfect for an adventurous weekend away with the girls.
Evening
Catch the sunset at Pippi’s at the Point and late-night fun at Dullboy’s Social Co
Capture the colours of the sunset across the lake from the huge outdoor deck at Pippi’s at the Point Grab a bite to eat here or move on to Dullboy’s Social Co for a modern take on the American diner cuisine, plus Palm Springs inspired mini-golf, tenpin bowling, dodgem cars, karaoke, and arcade games. If you and your travelling companions can’t agree on what to eat – no worries, head to The Corner for street food-style dining. Choose from bao, Thai fusion, woodfired pizza, burgers and gelato, and dine together in the 4 Pines open-air brew pub. There’s often free live music happening too – bonus!
Where to stay
Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows
Caves Beach ★ ★ ★ ★
Luxe beachside resort nestled in the dunes just steps from Lake Macquarie’s famous Caves Beach.
from $258
Macquarie 4 Star
Charlestown ★ ★ ★ ★
Quality accommodation in the heart of northern Lake Macquarie, close to the lake and the family-favourite Variety Playground.
from $155
Day 3
Morning
Breakfast with a side of shopping at Common Circus
We challenge you to leave Common Circus without buying something from their trendy eco-conscious range of self-care products and homewares. On the food front, their ethos is simple, fresh flavours, you can even takeaway and eat under the leafy figs on Belmont Foreshore.
Get a birds’ eye view of Lake Macquarie
Lake Macquarie Airport has an aerial activity to suit every level of adventurous appetite. Choose from scenic helicopter flights, skydiving, learn to fly lessons and aerobatic thrill flights with 2019 Red Bull Air Race World Champion Matt Hall. With Matt Hall Racing, sightseeing meets aerobatics. Choose how much you cruise and how much time you spend upside down with their Ultimate Experience flight. You’ll start out taking in extensive views of Lake Macquarie and its impressive coastline. Along the way, you’ll get warmed up with some light aerobatics, before working to loops, barrel rolls and tail slides. Finally, you’ll get to experience the thrills of Air Racing, as your pilot takes you through a simulated air race track.
If jumping out of a plane is more your style, Skydive Sydney-Lake Macquarie have got you covered. You’ll drop from an extreme altitude of up to 15,000 feet and freefall at over 200 km/hr for up to 60 seconds, then float under canopy over Lake Macquarie for 5-7 minutes, soaking up spectacular lake and beach views.
Afternoon
Lunch at The Captain and Crew
Feel the fun casual vibe at Captain & Crew – it’s located just steps from the serene shores of Lake Macquarie in Marks Point.
Explore Lake Macquarie’s spectacular coastline in Wallarah National Park
Join CoastXP for their guided hike exploring the rugged coastline of Wallarah National Park. The 2.5-hour hike traverses cliff tops and rock platforms and visits secluded Pinny Beach, which is only accessible on foot.
Evening
Dinner at Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows
Finish your CoastXP experience with a complimentary drink at Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows,, a stunning spot to watch day turn to dusk overlooking the ocean. Caves Coastal’s menu is classic and casual, with a focus on fresh seafood and woodfired pizzas.
Travelling to Lake Macquarie by Air
Travelling by air to Lake Macquarie is a breeze. Hire a car at Newcastle Airport and take an easy 40 minute drive to the the northern shores of Lake Macquarie. Domestic flights to Newcastle are operated by Jetstar, Virgin Australia, FlyPelican, Link Airways and QantasLink.
