Newcastle is located on the coast at the mouth of the Hunter River, about 150km north of Sydney. It is the second largest city in New South Wales, with a population of more than 300,000. The coastline around Newcastle is remarkably beautiful, with fantastic waves and white sand beaches, including the iconic Merewether Beach. In the hinterland lies the Hunter Valley with its winery of world renown and the rainforests of the Barrington Tops National Park, which is listed on the World Heritage.
Just south of Newcastle lies Lake Macquarie, about 24 km of length, one of the largest coastal salt water lakes in Australia. Lake Macquarie, nicknamed “Lake Mac” by locals and insiders, has been one of the top spots for sailors for years, but also offers ideal conditions for almost any other type of water sports. The possibilities range from swimming, snorkeling, wakeboarding and paddling to windsurfing and fishing. The shore has the character of a park landscape with walking and cycling trails, which are also open to joggers, rollerblades and skaters. The picnic areas are very popular on the weekends.
What you can do in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie:
- A day at Merewether Beach or one of the Merewether Ocean Baths
- A ride on Newcastle’s Famous Tram, during the week through Newcastle’s Old Town, or on weekends to the Hunter Valley
- Learn to surf at Nobbys Beach
- Walk between the treetops at Treetop Adventure Park
- Warners Bay Foreshore Shared Pathway: the pulse on the shores of Lake Mac
- The Redbluff overwater boardwalk, a spectacular part of the Warners Bay Foreshore, which runs on stilts directly above the water
- Music in the Podium, a series of free outdoor concerts in summer on the Warners Bay foreshore
