Explore the great outdoors

Lake Macquarie is a beautiful coastal pocket of paradise but there is so much more to see and do than our stunning coastline. Spend a day outdoors exploring some of the more unknown sights this City has to offer.

Kayak Dora Creek

Start the day off at the foothills of the Watagan Mountains. Dora Creek is the largest tributary flowing into Lake Macquarie and a great location for kayaking. Enthusiastic paddlers can kayak upstream to Cooranbong and novices can explore the Dora Creek locality. Kayak hire and tours are available from Lake Macquarie Kayak and Bike Hire, a mobile service that will conveniently meet you wherever you desire.

Picnic on the banks of Dora Creek

The riverbanks of Dora Creek are a lovely spot for a picnic lunch. Sit in the shade and enjoy a well-deserved rest after kayaking, you can even feed the resident ducks. If you still have energy to burn, travel to the nearby Watagans National Park before fuelling your body at the Boarding House Dam Picnic Area. There are picnic tables and free gas and electric barbecues for your use. After lunch, warm up for an afternoon hike by completing the short loop track along Boarding House Creek, taking in the spectacular mossy rock wall along the way.

Bushwalk through the Watagans

The Watagan Mountains are the place for bushwalking in Lake Macquarie. Choose from a number of different trails, all varying in length and difficulty. One of the most impressive trails leads through rainforest gullies and clusters of Illawarra Flame Trees to Gap Creek Falls, a sheer 40m drop over a curved cliff face. View the Walking Trails Guide.

Camp under the stars

Spend a night under the stars at one of the campsites at Wangi Point Holiday Park. In winter, you can toast marshmallows on a campfire, and in summer soak up the stunning water views.