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Lake Macquarie Cruises

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Lake Macquarie Cruises - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Lake Macquarie cruise and guided nature walk

Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area

Open, check  current alerts  

Learn more about why this park is special

Activities galore.

Whatever pace you like to take life at, there's stacks to do on Lake Macquarie. Kayak the serene waters, meander along Awaba Bay Foreshore walk or try Wangi circuit walking track for a gorgeous helping of nature. Picnic at Alexanders, throw a line over your boat, or take things a little bit faster with some waterskiing.

• Alexanders picnic area This very peaceful picnic area with scenic views, at the southern end of Awaba Bay Foreshore walk is the perfect spot to rest after a bushwalk along beautiful Lake Macquarie - indulge in birdwatching,...
• Marmong picnic area Marmong picnic area is an idyllic place to picnic by the lake, with opportunities for walking, swimming, boating, paddlnig, fishing and birdwatching within Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area.
• Wangi circuit walking track Take a peaceful bushwalk through towering forests to the shores of Lake Macquarie on Wangi circuit walking track, with wonderful scenic views of Pulbah Island, birdwatching and picnicking opportunitie...

An important place

The plentiful nature and beauty of this area have made it a special place for thousands of years. The Awabakal Aboriginal people were the original inhabitants, enjoying plant foods such as cabbage palm and lillypilly, and shellfish like pipis, cockles, mussels, whelks, and oysters collected from rock platforms, the lake's foreshore, and beaches. Local people caught fish with lines or spears, or trapped them in weirs built at the entrance of tidal channels. The beautiful Pulbah Island is considered sacred by the Awabakal People.

Holidaying history

The special atmosphere of Lake Macquarie has long drawn holidaymakers. A ferry service between Wangi Wangi Point and Toronto led to a growth in tourism in the 1910s and 1920s, and a number of swimming enclosures and guesthouses catered for the area's many visitors. Miners came to Wangi Wangi Point from the Cessnock coalfields, and it became a tent city during December and January when the mines closed for Christmas. You can still stay at Wangi Wangi Point in the Tourist Park.

Wonderful wildlife, diverse habitats

The animals love it here too, making their home among the diverse habitats. Green sea turtles, dolphins, sugar and squirrel gliders, and kangaroos all call the park their home. If you look up, you'll find sea eagles, kookaburras, lorikeets, and the threatened pied oystercatcher in the trees and sky above the lake. On bushwalks, look out for lovely orchids, spectacular wattles, and coastal banksia.

• Awaba Bay Foreshore walk Take a stroll along the shores of Lake Macquarie on Awaba Bay Foreshore walk, enjoying the spectacular scenic lake views while birdwatching and keeping an eye out for dolphins and green sea turtles.
• Lake Macquarie cruise and guided nature walk Jump aboard CoastXP’s adventure boat for an exciting, all-inclusive cruise and guided nature walk at Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area.

Education resources (1)

• Who cares about national parks?, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Geography

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Board a custom-built adventure boat for a thrilling offshore experience!

Lake Macquarie Coastal Boat Tour

• Ocean Explorer Tour

The thrilling Ocean Explorer Tour is a fast-paced, fun-filled ocean boat tour adventure along the stunning Lake Macquarie coastline. Departing from Chalmers Street Jetty, on the oceanside of Swansea Bridge, cruise through the pristine waters of Swansea channel before zooming along the Lake Mac coast, past Moon Island Nature Reserve, discovering hidden sea caves and visiting Catherine Hill Bay. Share in the natural history of the area with an experienced wildlife guide making this tour fast, fun and informative. This tour is the perfect adventure for anyone seeking an unforgettable offshore boating experience.

Highlights include:

• Water-level views (close to the action)
• Professional guides, knowledgeable on wildlife and the local environment
• Safe and comfortable eco-tourism vessel
• Premium weatherproof jackets provided
• Comfortable, slim-profile life jackets provided
• Accredited quality and sustainable tourism business

Adult – $99

Child – $75 (5 – 12 yrs)

Learn About the Lake Mac Coastline

This ocean boat tour explores the beautiful Swansea Channel at the entrance to Lake Macquarie and the spectacular Lake Macquarie coastline. This includes the region’s most impressive natural wonders, including Moon Island Nature Reserve, the stunning sea caves at Caves Beach and Pinneys Headland, and the picturesque Catherine Hill Bay.

You will be fascinated by the maritime and natural history of this amazing stretch of coastline. Designed as a family-friendly experience  our professional guides will share their expertise in marine life, Aboriginal heritage and local geology. Our ocean boat tour was recently considered the #1 ultimate way to play in Lake Macquarie.  

• Minimum age is 5 years old.

Live Availability

Departure location.

Ocean Boat Tour - Frequently Asked Questions

How close will we get to the sea caves.

The sea caves at Caves Beach and Pinney’s Headland are some of the highlights on our Ocean Explorer Tour, and we try to give guests a close experience. How close, is of course dependent on the sea conditions themselves. You can rest assured, your skipper will position the vessel in a safe location to make sure everyone aboard can get a nice photo of the caves.

How far does the tour go?

Our ocean boat tour covers 15-20 kilometres of the Lake Macquarie channel and coastline. Departing from Swansea Channel, we travel approximately 25 kilometres in the space of about 80 minutes.

What marine animals can I see? Will I see dolphins?

We’re fortunate to regularly encounter marine animals on our ocean boat tour including bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, long-nosed fur seals, turtles, penguins, sharks and many species of seabirds. Remember that these are all wild animals and we are not guaranteed to see them on any given day.

Where should I park?

Free parking is available near Swansea RSL or close to the Swansea Swim Centre on Channel Street. Click here for a map of how to find our departure location, including our best parking suggestions.

Are there toilets on the trip?

Yes! There are toilets at the Swansea RSL, Swansea Woolworths, Quinn Park and we even have a toilet on board!

Can I join the waitlist if a tour is booked out?

When a tour books out we have a waitlist feature. It’s free to join, and should your preferred tour be fully booked, we recommend joining our waitlist, if spaces become available we will contact you to see if you’re still available to join us. In the meantime, we also recommend making a confirmed booking for a different day/time as that means you’ve definitely got a place on board. Should your waitlist booking become available, we can always bring forward your confirmed booking in its place.

Can I purchase the Ocean Explorer Tour as a gift card?

You sure can! To purchase our Ocean Explorer Tour as a gift card – click here.

Quick Links

– Tours from Newcastle – Tours from Lake Mac – Gift Cards – Contact Us

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Latest Keep Dreaming

Travel inspiration for you

• November 12, 2020

Your guide to catch Lake Macquarie’s most scenic sunsets

The days are growing longer, with spring and summer being the perfect seasons for watching the sun and fluffy clouds paint the sky at dusk. Only a short 90-minute drive from Sydney, NSW’s hidden coastal gem Lake Macquarie boasts some of the state’s most idyllic spots to watch the sun go down… most of which you won’t have to share with another soul.

Speers Point Park

Pack a picnic and head to  Speers Point Park . This huge park is one of lovely Lake Macquarie’s many outdoor highlights. While you sit back with your favourite picnic snacks, the kids can enjoy the huge, award-winning Variety Playground. This grassy getaway wraps around the shores of Lake Macquarie, making it the perfect spot to watch the last rays shine out over the Lake.

Didn’t have time to pack a picnic?  Lake  Macquarie Yacht Club in  Belmont  is a local hot spot for overwater dining while watching the fading sunlight bouncing off the sails of passing yachts. Offering a generous variety of fresh seafood dishes – including fresh blue swimmer crabs, tiger prawns, rock oysters, squid, prawns and house battered fish fillets – the Yacht Club is a must-visit when in Lake Mac.

Redhead Bluff

Perch yourself high overlooking  Redhead Beach  to catch one of Lake Mac’s best sunsets. Enjoy the sun slowly sinking behind the mountains as the crashing blue waves – favoured by surfers – rumble onto the sandy shores of the beach below. It’s a special moment to witness first-hand – giving the feeling that everything is moving in slow motion – there really is nothing quite like it.

Lake Macquarie

Step aboard  Lake Macquarie Cruises ‘ Lady Mac for a three-hour sunset and dinner cruise along the picturesque foreshore of Lake Macquarie. Begin the night with a drink in hand from the licensed bar while nibbling on mouthwatering appetisers and take in the view as the sun slowly slips behind the peaks of Watagan Mountains, engulfing the sky in a pink and orange glow. Once the sun has disappeared, a BBQ main meal will be served featuring fresh local prawns, a variety of gourmet salads and a selection of petit fours desserts with complimentary tea and coffee.

You might think city sunsets are pretty until you escape to Lake Macquarie… where you’ll discover a truly picturesque painted sky. At this hidden gem destination, you really are spoilt for choice of where to watch the sky fall into night. No matter where you are in Lake Macquarie, it’s a magnificent sight.

To learn more about Lake Macquarie and find where to stay when you visit, please visit:  visitlakemac.com.au

SOURCE: Visit Lake Macquarie

Image: Warners Bay jetty sunset courtesy of Visit Lake Macquarie.

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Love the Lake, Love Lake Mac Cruises!

Phone: 02 4044 7000 e-mail: [email protected].

Lunch on the Lake Cruise

Regular departures Weekends with additional cruises operating midweek. Check schedule for current departure dates

Boarding at Booragul Public Wharf, Behind Lake Mac Art gallery, First St Booragul.

Be captivated by the beautiful scenery surrounding the foreshore of Lake Macquaire as you meander around the bays extending as far South as the pristine waters of Swansea. Indulge in a freshly prepared BBQ lunch served onboard the vessel consisting of fresh local prawns, scotch fillet minute steak, gourmet beef sausages with a selection of salads to compliment. Enjoy a selection of light sweets for dessert with complementary tea & coffee or select from a full range of drinks available from our fully licensed bar.

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