Your gateway to southern Lake Macquarie
Only a few minutes’ drive from the M1 Motorway between Sydney and Newcastle, the town of Morisset is a great place to stock up on supplies before you head down to the water. It’s also a handy base for bushwalking in Watagans National Park or tackling the world-class trails of Awaba Mountain Bike Park.
Stretch your legs at peaceful Macquarie Street Reserve Playground, next to the Newcastle Line train station on the main road through Morisset. Then grab a bite to eat at a café or restaurant on the shopping strip, or sample a craft ale at one of the microbreweries on the outskirts of town.
If you’re visiting on the first Saturday of the month, browse the arts and crafts stalls and food stands at the markets at Morisset Showground. The showground also offers powered and unpowered campsites and hosts the annual Morisset Lake Macquarie Agricultural Show in October.
Launch your boat onto the lake from public ramps in Morisset Park, Bonnells Bay or Balcolyn, all a short drive from Morisset’s town centre. Push off on a kayak from Balcolyn’s Shingle Splitters Point or nearby Sunshine to paddle across the water to Wangi Wangi or along Dora Creek. If you haven’t brought your own watercraft, you can still explore the southern end of Lake Macquarie on a self-drive barbecue boat, sailboat cruise or water taxi, all departing from Trinity Point Marina in Morisset Park.
Prefer to take in the calming lake views from land? Cast a line to lure the abundant mulloway, bream, whiting, squid and much more from the headland park at Shingle Splitters Point. Take a leisurely stroll along the lush foreshore areas across the Morisset peninsula, or lace up your hiking boots to venture into the rugged bushland of the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area bordering Morisset Park.
