Council lifeguards patrol Blacksmiths, Catherine Hill Bay, Caves Beach, and Redhead beaches every year from the September/October school holidays through to April. Regular patrol hours are 9 am to 5 pm, seven days a week, with extended hours during busy periods or when conditions are unsafe.
Lake Macquarie beaches
Nearly 900,000 people visited Lake Macquarie’s beaches during the 2024–2025 season. Caves Beach and Redhead proved the most popular, each drawing around 250,000 visitors. Attendance was a little lower than usual, with bluebottle stings and dangerous swells forcing several beach closures.
Busy season ahead for our beaches
Council’s 30 full-time and casual lifeguards have been taking part in intensive refresher training, preparing for the busy summer ahead. Team Leader Beach Lifeguards, Hayden Copping,
Their mission remains the same each year, keeping the community safe at Lake Mac beaches. It’s vital that we stay up to date with the latest training and techniques to ensure we continue to deliver world-class lifeguard services, he said.
Local beaches extend patrol hours
With so many stunning beaches on our doorstep, Lake Mac families are set to benefit from extra safety this school holidays. Data from the Smart Beaches program revealed more people hitting the sand before and after work. To meet demand, patrol hours are likely to be extended during the peak summer season, and we’ll keep you updated on when the changes kick in.
Explore the beaches, caves, and rockpools around Lake Mac and plan a fun family visit to cool off. From Catherine Hill Bay to Redhead, our coastline offers breathtaking scenery at every turn.
