Embrace the great outdoors and throw yourself into an adventure on Lake Macquarie’s dramatic coastline, the expanses of the saltwater lake or the rugged hinterland wilderness.

On the water

There are plenty of options for a relaxed adventure, an adrenaline-fuelled outing or something in between on the largest coastal saltwater lake in Australia. For a thrilling joy ride, climb aboard a JetBuzz Watersports jet boat and hang on as it surges across the lake – or join its Jet Boat Ocean Extreme tour to cruise through the Swansea Channel and onto the open seas.

Feel your yacht surge forward as the sails fill with wind on a cruise around the lake with Sail Lake Macquarie, departing from Trinity Point Marina near Morriset, Lake Macquarie Sailing Charters from Belmont, or Lake Macquarie Sailing Tours. 

Learn to use a stand-up paddleboard at Warners Bay or Booragul with lessons by Kite and SUP, or take a kayak out to explore the bays and creeks along the lake’s shores.

Master the art of surfing with lessons at Caves Beach or Blacksmiths Beach with Newcastle Surf School or the women-only crew of Women Soulful Surf before practicing your newfound skills at surf breaks along the coastline.

Slip under the waves and scuba-dive the astonishing underwater world of the Swansea Channel, or snorkel the shallow waters around the headlands of the nature reserves lining the coast. From here, enjoy an all-inclusive lake cruise and guided nature walk with CoastXP’s Nature and Wildlife Tour involving an adventure boat and catered lunch.

On land

Come alive with the possibilities when you make your way to one of the many nature reserves around the lake. There are great mountain bike trails through Glenrock State Conservation Area to the north and Wallarah National Park to the south, as well as world-class tracks at Awaba Mountain Bike Park in Awaba State Forest, just outside Watagans National Park.

There are plenty of thrills to be had on foot within Watagans National Park and surrounds too, with challenging bushwalking trails, excellent abseiling spots and even horse-riding.

In the air

Change your perspective and see the dazzling lake and beaches from high in the sky when you take off on a joy flight from Lake Macquarie Airport, near Belmont. Take in the stunning scenery on a scenic helicopter ride with Skyline Aviation, put a smile on your face with an exhilarating tandem sky-dive with Skydive Australia, watch the lake spin below on an aerobatic flight with Matt Hall Racing, or take an introductory flight in a weird-and -wonderful gyroplane or a microlight aircraft with Airborne Flight Training.