Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area

The bush backyard of Newcastle and the Central Coast is a hiker’s and boatie’s paradise – bushwalking, canoeing, kayaking, and other water sports await.

Come and enjoy the blissful lake lifestyle at Lake Macquarie. Twice the size of Sydney Harbour, it’s the biggest permanent saltwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere and provides stunning views, countless opportunities for boating, fishing and water sports, and is a haven for birdwatchers and nature-lovers.

Whether you like to bushwalk with only the lapping of water on the shore for company, enjoy long relaxed family picnics, or prefer to kayak with a line off the side to catch dinner, this park is very accessible – it’s nestled between Newcastle and the Central Coast. You can explore the coves and headlands in any season, and the water is lovely in summer if you need to cool off after a long walk.