Are your kids cravin’ some animal love? Maybe they’d enjoy visiting a cute koala or a slithering snake. They’ll find crocodiles, birds, lions, reptiles, and farm animals just to name a few. What an awesome way to learn, and get up close and personal with our native animals. You’ll discover 7 animal encounters, near Lake […]

‘Rain, rain go away, come again another day!’ Today was going to be a family day. We were so organised and ready to spend the day together. We knew there was a chance of rain, but when does the weatherman get it right? Fortunately, rainy days in Lake Macquarie don’t mean you have to sit […]

Warners Bay is a little slice of paradise on the shores of Lake Macquarie. Did you know Lake Macquarie is twice the size of Sydney Harbour and one of the largest saltwater lakes in the Southern Hemisphere? Just 15 km from Newcastle and an hour and a half north of Sydney. When you arrive you […]

We never imagined the steep descent at the start would lead down to a rehabilitated pathway along Kilaben Creek. Starting on a fire trail, our expectations were low that this walk would get any better. We were very wrong about the Kilaben Bay walk. Weaving our way through the bushland the adventure just kept delivering […]

When your kid’s begin to gasp as you drive into the car park, you know it must be a good playground. Kilaben Bay Reserve Playground is a climbers haven that’s for sure, with a web of obstacle type nets to explore. My kids jumped out of the car and headed straight for the big swing. […]

Overlooking our beautiful Lake is Warners Bay playground. Recently upgraded in 2018 and beautifully landscaped with two separate areas for play. This playground remains a favourite for local families and seasonal visitors. With an abundance of convenient street parking and a car park located in John Street, just behind the park, makes it an easy […]

Wangi Point State Conservation Area is full of surprises. Its rocky platforms, countless coves & bays stretching south from Rathmines, provides a natural playground for the kids. Then the ‘seats of serenity’ perfectly positioned along the way, allows visitors to immerse themselves in their surroundings. We also loved the view of Pulbuh Island and walking […]

Our local Awabakal people called it Ky-yee-bah, meaning ‘place of games’. The Awabakal people would hold events here such as canoe races in large gatherings. Vast flocks of pelicans who inhabited Lake Macquarie gave Pelican its name. With a population of around 880, the Lake Macquarie suburb of Pelican now hosts a gorgeous family-friendly foreshore. […]

A stunning coastal viewpoint meets gorgeous native heath on the coast of Lake Macquarie. This is where you’ll find Awabakal Nature Reserve. On this adventure walk you’ll find plenty of surprises. I never get bored with experiencing a new perspective of Lake Mac. The Awabakal Reserve coastal bushland, stretches approximately 228 ha from Dudley through […]

The Hunter Valley is known for its amazing wineries. Producing around 3% of Australian wine, the region is high on many wine lovers lists as a place to visit. It also has a lot to offer families. There’s so much to do with your kids while enjoying the region. Visit one of their amazing restaurants […]

There are so many awesome walking tracks in Lake Macquarie you can do with the kids. Here’s 5 we love to do and they’re all a little different. Enjoy!   Green Point, Lake Macquarie Green Point Reserve is nestled along the foreshore of Lake Macquarie between the suburbs of Belmont and Valentine. The site covers […]

Did you know about the Spring bird migration that happens every year at Pirrita Island Swansea? Traveling epic journey’s from the Arctic Circle, shorebirds arrive tired and hungry on the shoreline of Pirrita Island. Positioned right at the water’s edge on Pirrita Island Point is a bird-watching platform. It looks like it’s getting an upgrade […]

From the moment you begin this trail, you’ll see the work which has gone into the regeneration, preservation, and conservation of the area. A credit to Landcare, Lake Macquarie Council, and especially the work of community volunteers. We walked amongst the native ferns, along the bushland trail navigating our way along Galgabba Point Walk to […]

Do you remember the first time you saw a whale breach? I can remember looking out to the horizon and seeing a spurt of water rising. As I stared at it I saw the back of the whale breach the water and a tail rise up. I was sure it was my imagination but then […]

From the surfboard flying fox to the wave-shaped climbing net, Webb Park Playground captures Redhead’s beach culture perfectly. You’ll love the unique design and thought which has gone into this playground. Redhead is one of our favourite local haunts because not only is the playground amazing we can also enjoy Owens walk and visiting the […]

Tucked away in the forever expanding family suburb of Cameron Park is the Pasterfield Sports Complex. Sprawled across 8 hectares of land, you’ll be blown away by the open space. This complex is so much more than the playground. You’ll find Lake Macquarie’s largest sports fields, practice nets and netball courts. But let’s get real. […]

In the beach culture of the suburb of Caves Beach, the main attraction has always been the sea caves. This unmistakable tourist attraction is almost a diversion from the real beauty of the area. As we swam peacefully at Spoon Rock Bay, you could see the masses of people who had flocked to Caves Beach. […]

Once you’re heading along the windy road surrounded by bush as you travel into Catherine Hill Bay, you begin to get a flavour for the place. Catherine Hill Bay is the oldest continuous settlement in our Lake Macquarie area. You can still see original miners cottages and the site of the original pub when you […]

Wasn’t the sun shining brightly on the western side when we visited a gorgeous hidden gem at Sunshine, Lake Macquarie. It was a little hard to find nestled among the trees past the boat ramp, but we got there in the end. If you were out in the boat it’s almost impossible to see from […]

Hidden at the back of the old Sanitarium factory is the Cooranbong swing bridge. The bridge is full of character and history. The swing bridge is well known to the locals on the western side of Lake Macquarie. However, it’s also a well-kept secret. At first, it’s a little tricky to find, especially if you’re […]

Sometimes I can’t believe how lucky we are to have these amazing places all around us, and only a short distance away. If you’ve ever wondered why it was named Caves Beach then you won’t any more. Discover and explore the inter-connecting sea caves at Caves Beach southern end. You’ll marvel at yet another one […]

On any given day more and more women, and girls, of all ages and backgrounds, are out enjoying what was certainly once a male dominated activity. You’d have to agree that women today are far more involved in all arenas of sport, and fishing is no exception. Maybe there are more women fishers these days […]

Belmont pool (baths) For many years, Belmont pool (baths) was a popular bathing area, nestled on the shores of Lake Macquarie at Belmont. With a shoreline where you could erect a shade umbrella and a grassy area to put down a rug, this was a family hot spot for swimming on warm summer days. In […]

Even though the Watagans state forest is technically in Cessnock council area, you won’t get a better aerial view of Lake Macquarie.  Well, unless you jump out of a plane that is. Might be good for some of us, but I’m more of a nature lover than skydiver these days. I hadn’t been to the […]

‘Green Point’ as it’s referred to by the locals, connects the suburbs of Belmont and Valentine through Green Point Reserve. From Belmont, you can make your way along a flat path to the picturesque Green Point Foreshore at Cardiff Point. Entering via Valentine is a walk of discovery, as the natural stairs and trail wraps […]

It’s so easy to get in the habit of doing the same things all the time. We all do it. Your favourite beach, the park your kid’s love, the usual cycle route, the fishing spot where you always get a bite. Sometimes it’s good to explore beyond our habitual routines and see what’s on offer. […]