Lake Macquarie

Ditch screen time for green time – return to the great outdoors in Lake Macquarie

It's time to ditch your device and go green! As travel restrictions relax, and regional holidays are back on the cards, there's never been a better time to escape and reconnect with nature. Round up the family and pack the car - just a 90-minute drive from Sydney you'll find Lake Macquarie, where you can escape the city and enjoy fresh air and open spaces.

Picnic in the park
An easy, fuss-free way to reconnect with nature is a picnic in the park. Spread out the rug and unpack the picnic basket for a long, lazy lunch while enjoying some vitamin D in one of Lake Macquarie's glorious outdoor spots.

1. Pelican Foreshore Reserve
One of the region's most loved picnic areas, relax on the shaded grassy expanses, or fish off the small jetty.
Facilities: sheltered tables, electric BBQs, playground, toilets, carpark, boat ramp

2. Speers Point Park
Speers Point Park is Lake Macquarie's flagship park, featuring the 'Best Play Space in Australia' - the Lake Macquarie Variety Playground.
Facilities: sheltered tables, electric BBQs, playground, toilets, carpark, boat ramp

3. Rathmines Park
Formerly the largest seaplane base in the southern hemisphere during WWII, now the perfect spot for a relaxing lakeside picnic.
Facilities: sheltered tables, BBQs, playground, skatepark, toilets, carpark, boat ramp

 

Nothing beats getting together with your favourite people (while social distancing of course!) to enjoy one of Lake Macquarie's many picnic spots around the Lake.

Wild in Wallarah, Watagans and the Wetlands
Throw on your walking shoes and go for a stroll in Wallarah National Park, grab a helmet and saddle up for a horse ride through the Watagans Mountains, or hit the bike trails around Belmont Wetlands - there are plenty of ways to get your daily dose of green in lovely Lake Macquarie.

1. Wallarah National Park

Home to sugar gliders, echidnas, white-bellied sea eagles and more, this superb pocket of coastal bushland features several walking trails and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

2. Watagans Mountains
The Watagans National Park is home to waterfalls, spectacular rainforest gullies, bushwalking trails and more. Go bushwalking amongst gorgeous Illawarra flame trees while admiring breathtaking views of the Hunter Valley and coastline, or go horse riding with AAA Horse Riding on one of their fabulous treks.

3. Belmont Wetlands
Belmont Wetlands State Park is the perfect spot to go green, and offers walking, cycling, birdwatching and more. The park is home to a rich and varied natural environment. Encounter naturally diverse wetlands, tranquil native bushland and impressive sand dune systems on your visit.

For those hankering for the outdoors and keen to get back to green, look no further than Lake Macquarie. It's no wonder this quiet coastal region is loved by outdoor enthusiasts looking to get back to nature.

To learn more about the region's natural attractions and find where to stay when you visit, please visit: http://www.visitlakemac.com.au