Lake Macquarie is a city adjacent to of Newcastle with the largest permanent salt water lake in the Southern Hemisphere.

Understand

Belmont

Lake Macquarie is often considered part of its immediate neighbour, Newcastle, but is in fact a separate city with a much larger area and a population of 190,000. It has a number of suburbs including:

• Belmont is largely centred around the lake foreshore and the Pacific Highway. The southern suburbs (Belmont South, Marks Point) are rather flat and only a few metres above sea level. The northern suburbs (Belmont North, Floraville, Jewells) are very hilly and are a challenging bicycle ride.
• Charlestown is the self-proclaimed CBD of Lake Macquarie with the region's largest shopping centre, Charlestown Square.
• Swansea is located on a peninsula. It has two waterfronts – one on Lake Macquarie and one on the Pacific Ocean, with a population of around 5,000.
• Warners Bay is at the north eastern end of Lake Macquarie and is home to a sizeable population and many decent cafes on The Esplanade.
• Toronto is the main centre of the Western side of the lake.

Get in

It is easiest to get to Lake Macquarie by car. Wyee train station is closest in proximity to the Morisset area, whilst Fassifern is popular amongst those travelling into Toronto. There is no track on the eastern side.

Get around

A car is your best option for getting around, although many people use the area for cycling.

By bus

Bus timetables for the Lake Macquarie area are available from the Newcastle Buses and Ferries website.

Do

• 1 Fernleigh Track, Railway Parade, Belmont. This 15km (8mi) asphalt/concrete path starts in Belmont and connects Newcastle (Adamstown) to eastern Lake Macquarie. An ideallic shared riding/walking path with wonderful bush scenery. Free. 
• Strike Charlestown, Level 1, South Piazza, Charlestown Square, ☏ 1300 787 453 (local rate). Features a bowling alley, karaoke rooms, laser tag arena, and cocktail bar. (updated Mar 2015)

• Fishing. both on the beaches and throughout Lake Macquarie. A popular spot for kingfish is under the Swansea bridge over the Swansea channel. (updated Oct 2015)

• Beaches in Swansea, including Catherine Hill Bay Beach, Redhead Beach, Blacksmiths Beach and Caves Beach (walk through the natural caves on low tide)

Eat

• 1 Belmont 16ft Sailing Club, The Parade, Belmont NSW 2280, ☏ +61 2 4945 0888. 9:00 am – 11:00 pm. Lunch or dinner pretty much on the lake 
• Babbingtons, 290 Pacific Highway, ☏ +61 2 4943 6733. (updated Mar 2015)
• Vistana Malaysian Restaurant, 115 Pacific Highway. Mon–Sat 11:00AM–2:30PM, 5:00PM–9:00PM. (updated Mar 2015)
• C Restaurant, 7 Mawson St, Caves Beach., ☏ +61 2 4980 9999. Wed dinner to Sun lunch. A la carte seafood and ocean views. 

Sleep

• 1 Squid's Ink Hotel, 690 Pacific Highway Belmont NSW 2280 Australia, ☏ +61 2 4947 7223, fax: +61 2 4947 7276. Squid's Ink is only 90 minutes north of Sydney. It is one of the most idyllic coastal holiday destinations! Best rates on official website start at AU$95. 
• Best Western Plus Apollo International, 290 Pacific Highway, toll-free: +61 1 800 780 7234. (updated Mar 2015)
• Charlestown Executive Apartments, 45-47 Dickinson Street, Charlestown, ☏ +61 2 4941 6688. Amenities include free parking, microwave, coffee maker and free wifi. (updated Apr 2015)
• Amore Boutique Bed and Breakfast, 145 Kahibah Road, Charlestown, ☏ +61 406 503 397. (updated Apr 2015)
• Blue Pacific Swansea, ☏ +61 2 4971 1055, info@cavesbeachside.com. has a pool, spa, sauna, restaurant and 28 rooms. 
• Caves Beach Hotel And Resort, 7 Mawson Street, Caves Beach., ☏ +61 2 4980 9999. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 12PM. Ocean views from every suite. King size beds. Free beverage package and light breakfast. 

Go next

• Newcastle