Towns and Villages
Discover our communities and villages
Lake Macquarie is a thriving city with a population of over 190,000 and is unique in that it features a multitude of villages and towns dotted around the city’s lake, beaches and mountains.
These communities each offer a slightly different flavour to Lake Macquarie living.
The city covers semi-rural areas such as Morisset and Cooranbong in the Southern mountainous areas through to the lakeside villages of Wangi Wangi and Toronto on the western side of the lake. On the eastern side of the lake, beach and lakeside communities such as Swansea and Belmont merge with the northern lake suburbs of Warners Bay, Cardiff and Charlestown.
Warners Bay – indulge over a meal and take a leisurely stroll along the esplanade
Warners Bay is positioned on the northern side of Lake Macquarie and is very well known for its relaxed lakeside lifestyle. This popular village boasts a diverse boutique shopping experience, a variety of lakeside restaurants and cafes and a stunning waterfront walking path and park area. This is the perfect place to indulge over a meal, hit the shops and take a leisurely stroll along the esplanade. The pathway winds around the foreshore and is available to walkers, joggers, cyclists and roller bladers.
Warners Bay hosts many special events including free music concerts held in the warmer months from November to March on Friday nights from 6 pm to 9 pm. Warners Bay is home to the Lake Macquarie Performing Arts Centre, the International Half Marathon, Loop the Lake and the Sydney to Lake Macquarie Cycle Classic.
Warners Bay also offers many activities for the kids including an outdoor playground, ice skating rink, indoor bowling centre and indoor swim and sporting centres.
Belmont – indulge in Lakeside Leisure
Belmont, located on the eastern shores of Lake Macquarie offers a broad range of accommodation options and varying activities and attractions. Water and sports enthusiasts are well and truly catered for with two major sailing clubs and a championship Golf Course. Alternatively, swim and surf at nearby Blacksmiths and Redhead beach, take a jet boat ride or try sailing on the Lake.
Get back to nature and take a leisurely walk through the Greenpoint Nature Reserve which has all the features to make it one of Lake Macquarie’s most scenic and enjoyable natural attractions for cycling, walking and picnicking.
The Belmont area has many popular restaurants, cafes and takeaways where spectacular views of the Lake can be enjoyed.
For visitors, a walk off the street browsing the shops is a must followed by a picnic on the foreshore to take in the magical view of the lake.
Charlestown – great place to shop
Charlestown is centrally located on the Pacific Highway and is seen as the business and retail capital of Lake Macquarie. Charlestown Square is the major retail shopping centre of Lake Macquarie and boasts many boutique shops located in the central business district servicing over 25,000 visitors every day. With plenty of parking, Charlestown is a major regional business centre with a large number of medical and professional services, government agencies and banking facilities. It has quality accommodation located on the Pacific Highway and is well serviced by buses.
Southlakes - experience the diversity
The Southlakes area Includes Morisset, Cooranbong, the Watagan Mountains and Wyee. The area offers visitors a wide diversity of experience from lake to mountain side. Escape to the Watagan Mountain National Park and State Forest Area, explore the arts and craft houses of Cooranbong or relax with a picnic by the lake on the Morisset Peninsula.
Morisset is a thriving town centre offering an array of shops, services and eateries. Morisset Mega Markets offers an enormous selection of market stalls every weekend. Dora Creek, the first town to be established in Lake Macquarie in 1840 provides picnic spots near the water to feed the ducks. Cooranbong is a picturesque rural community located at the foot of the Watagan Mountains.
Southlakes is easily accessible by train or from the F3 freeway.
Wangi Wangi - home and studio of Sir William Dobell
Wangi Wangi offers visitors a diversity of experiences from learning about the life and works of artist Sir William Dobell to sailing on the lake. Visitors can enjoy the Wangi Point State Recreation area, which offers walking trails, good fishing spots and panoramic views. Dobell House a gallery and museum, was the home and studio of the late Sir William Dobell, winner of three Archibald Prizes, who lived in Wangi until his death.
Rathmines - experience the historic sea plan base
Located on the western shores of the lake is the historic community of Rathmines. Its open public space offers peace, tranquillity and beautiful lake vistas. Rathmines Park Catalina Sea Plan Base is of national significance, having been the major RAAF seaplane base from 1939 to 1952. There is an interpretative walk where you can retrace the design of the operating base or alternatively enjoy a barbecue or picnic by the waters edge from the park grounds.
Toronto - escape to the relaxed coastal village
The tranquil and relaxed lakeside village of Toronto, located on the western side of lake Macquarie offers a selection of waterfront restaurants and cafés, a range of water activities and quality accommodation. One of the city’s key business and retail centres, Toronto offers modern shopping facilities, an 18 hole golf course, clubs and markets every 3rd Sunday of the month.
Toronto hosts the annual Heritage Afloat Festival at Easter with over 100 heritage vessels on display, vintage cars, live entertainment all weekend, children's activities and boat building competitions.
Booragul / Bolton Point - home of history and culture
Home to the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery and the historic Awaba House, Booragul and Bolton Point also offer visitors a marina, boat hire a state forest and national park area.
The art gallery is set on wide sloping grounds which offer stunning views of the lake. The gallery boasts expansive leafy grounds, sculpture parks and an award winning exhibition facility that has earned a national reputation. Sharing the gallery’s spectacular site is Awaba House Restaurant Café which offers fine dining, lunch or just coffee. Just around from the gallery, you will discover Marmong Cove Marina, which offers houseboat hire and the Awaba Bay national park recreation area which offers walking and cycling trails.
Northlakes - sporting options and entertainment
Stretching from the lakeside township of Teralba, through Glendale, to the business hub of Cardiff, and out to Edgeworth is where you will find Northlakes. Teralba is well known for its coal mining history, and is located along the Sydney to Newcastle train line. Just north of Teralba is Glendale, where you will find entertainment, shopping and sporting options. It is home to the Hunter Sports Centre, a $10 million sporting complex which hosts regional, state and national meets, and also offers a large shopping centre together with many eateries and a modern cinema complex. Travelling west brings you to rapidly expanding new residential areas surrounding the old township of Edgeworth, once the stepping off point to the Lower Hunter towns of Maitland, Kurri and Cessnock
Swansea / Caves Beach – where the lake meets the beach
Swansea and Caves Beach provides a link between the ocean and the lake, and are popular holiday destinations. Blessed with beautiful beaches, sandy inlets and open lake foreshore areas, Swansea and Caves Beach are great destinations for water enthusiasts. Explore the sea caves at low tide on Caves Beach, venture out into the open waters with a deep sea fishing adventure or catch a wave at the patrolled beach.
The Wallarah Peninsula – experience the historic charm of the coast
The communities of Catherine Hill Bay, Nords Wharf, Cams Wharf and Murrays Beach make up the Wallarah Peninsula, located on the south eastern tip of Lake Macquarie, between the Pacific Ocean and the lake itself. Catherine Hill Bay is a historic mining village located on the coast, which retains much of its original charm. It is also a well known surfing spot, and hosts the popular Catho Classic each year. Nords Wharf and Cams Wharf are located on the shores of the lake and are picturesque and peaceful villages.
Lake Macquarie Visitor Information Centre is the place to go to book your Bed and Breakfasts, self contained apartments, hotels, motels, holiday parks & other holiday accommodations. Keep updated to take advantage of last minute rates & hot deals for weekend getaways or family holidays. Explore our comprehensive attractions & activities information guide for what to see & do in Lake Macquarie, from golf, galleries to beaches, scenic walks and all sorts of boating & water based activities. Discover all about the city of Lake Macquarie & download detailed maps so you're prepared for the best holiday ever.
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