Blacksmiths Beach
Over summer, the beach comes alive with the resident Surf Life Saving Club – SLSC Swansea Belmont. The junior nippers program brings local families together from all over Lake Mac. Their clubhouse boasts a function room upstairs which is perfect to hire for that special occasion. During the summer months on a Sunday, you can often enjoy live music on the deck.
Blacksmiths Beach is patrolled by council lifeguards from the September/October school holidays until April. Lifeguards are on duty from 8.30 am – 5 pm Monday – Sunday, and are extended later during the summer break.
Accessibility upgrade
Lake Mac Council added an all-access ramp, pathway, and viewing platform in front of the clubhouse. This new access is ideal for those with a wheelchair or mobility aid like a walker. Parents and carers with prams or beach trolleys may also find it valuable.
A wheelchair buggy ramp has been installed to aid access to the water. You can hire these specialised wheelchair buggies free of charge while you’re at the beach.
Grannies Pool
I have fond memories from my childhood of spending many hot summer days wading around at Grannies Pool. Did you know that its original name was Chanty’s Pool? Named after Bert Chant, a local who used to look after the area when it was a camping ground in the 1920s & 1930s. Over the years it’s come to be renamed Grannies Pool. A very popular spot for grandparents to take the grandkids for a dip in the heat.
Grannies Pool is a tidal inlet off Swansea Channel that fills up as the lake does each day. It’s located on the right-hand side of Blacksmiths Beach, off Gommera Street. Read all our tips on your visit with the kids: Grannies Pool.
Blacksmiths Breakwall
Blacksmiths Breakwall is a spectacular view of the entrance to our lake and out past the headland to Moon Island. Around 350 meters in length, this shared pathway is a lovely spot to take the dog for a short walk or bring the kid’s scooters.
Views stretch down the channel out to Swansea Heads then back to miles of sand along Blacksmiths Beach. You’ll be able to take a Coastal Snap and share it with a community beach monitoring program. Just place your phone on the stand and click.
Moon Island
Off Swansea headland, you’ll see a rocky island which is a popular fishing spot for many boating locals. It’s also known as a seabird sanctuary with nesting seagulls, penguins, and even fur seals visiting. In 2019 a seal visited the mainland and even made its way up onto the breakwall for a rest.
This Island is also home to the Grey Nurse Shark and as such is a popular diving spot. Divers can enjoy a smorgasbord of marine life with breathtaking coral, rocky shelves, and even arches to swim through as they explore.
Malangbula (The Petrified Women of Swansea Heads)
The Awabakal People tell a story of two women who were turned into stone after getting into trouble with an Awabakal warrior. If you look across to Swansea Heads, there are two upright rocks, These are said to be the two women and they became the protectors of burial sites close by. They also kept watch for the ‘sea monsters’, and would return to human form if they needed to warn of danger.
Blacksmiths Playground
Adjacent to Blacksmiths Beach is the playground. It’s a lovely shady area with great equipment for the kids to play on. You’ll find seating and space to spread your towel for some lunch. Read all about Blacksmiths Playground here
Getting to Blacksmiths Beach
At the lights at Blacksmiths on the Pacific Highway, turn onto Gommera Street and follow it through to the round-a-bout where you’ll see the SLSC and the carpark to the beach. Blacksmiths Point is where you’ll find the Breakwall.
Discover more of Lake Macquarie
When you visit Blacksmiths you’ll discover so much more than the beach. Are you searching for more places to explore in Lake Mac? Discover them in our Out & About section.
