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Rathmines Theatre, nawayiba

Entertainment Venues

Rathmines Theatre, nawayiba

This beautiful heritage venue is brimming with character and history. In 2019 Rathmines Theatre – along with Rathmines Heritage Centre – was refurbished as a unique and memorable space for live performances, exhibitions, festivals and as well as corporate events and private functions. The old boiler room has been repurposed as a charismatic bar space where audiences love to grab a drink before the show. The Rathmines Theatre is a 200-capacity theatre available for professional and amateur musical, theatre, dance, and cultural groups to host and perform quality stage productions.

Rathmines NSW

0.2 km away

Inside our Rathmines Heritage Centre on Opening Night — Image credit: Lake Macquarie City Council

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Rathmines Heritage Centre

Based in Rathmines Theatre, Rathmines Heritage Centre hosts a range of exhibitions focused on the history of Rathmines RAAF base and the wider story of Lake Mac during World War II. Rathmines RAAF seaplane base played an essential role in the defence of Australia during WWII. From 1939 – 1962 thousands of people and hundreds of seaplanes operated and trained at the base. Rathmines RAAF seaplane base is the most intact surviving example of its type in Australia. Established in 1939 the base was the main centre for training during World War II. It was the largest flying boat base established in Australia and considered to be the ‘headquarters’ of flying boat operations during the war. Rathmines Heritage Centre tours are by appointment only. Explore the history of Rathmines further along the Rathmines RAAF Base Heritage Trail, a 1.1 kilometrem trail through Rathmines Park and along the foreshore of Catalina Bay. For further information about the importance of Rathmines RAAF base please visit the Lake Mac History website, which has a large and comprehensive archive of oral histories, photographs and documents.

Rathmines NSW

0.2 km away

Sir William Dobell Blue Plaque — Image credit: Heritage NSW

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Sir William Dobell Blue Plaque

Visitors can discover the stories behind the people, places and events that have helped shape NSW - where the history happened. A Blue Plaque visit offers more than sightseeing. It creates a direct connection between place and story, turning everyday locations into places of discovery. Each plaque reveals a unique piece of history, encouraging visitors to explore local areas from a new perspective and uncover stories they may never have known. This blue plaque commemorates Sir William Dobell, a painter best known for his expressive and unique portraits, who is still remembered today as one of Australia's best-known artists.

Wangi Wangi NSW

3.2 km away

Toronto Golf Club

Sports and Recreation Facilities

Toronto Golf Club

Toronto Golf Club hosts an 18 hole scenic golf course, pro shop, clubhouse and 12 bay driving range. Our Driving Range welcomes members of the public to use this facility. Clubs can be hired from the pro-shop during open hours. Toronto Golf Club features ample off-street parking and disabled access.

Toronto NSW

3.2 km away

Toronto Baths

Natural Attractions

Toronto Baths

Toronto Baths is a much‑loved lakeside swimming spot set along the scenic foreshore of Lake Macquarie, popular with families and locals alike. Following upgrades completed in October 2024, the historic baths (operating since 1925) are now fully enclosed and feature new jetty decking, safety netting, multiple entry points, and an accessible ramp with handrails, creating a safer and more inclusive swimming experience. Visitors can enjoy a range of on‑site amenities, including toilets, outdoor showers, shaded picnic areas, and nearby parking. With cafés, the Toronto Foreshore Playground, and the revitalised waterfront promenade all within easy walking distance, Toronto Baths is an ideal place to swim, relax, and take in the tranquil lake views.

Toronto NSW

3.2 km away

Arial shot Wangi

Natural Attractions

Wangi Wangi Point

This reserve is a peaceful natural area designed for passive recreation, with walking trails that protect the environment while showcasing diverse vegetation and scenic viewpoints. Two lookouts provide expansive views over Lake Macquarie, adding beautiful stops along the way. The tracks wind through bushland filled with wattles, coastal banksia and orchids, leading to lookouts across to Pulbah Island. Wildlife is abundant, visitors may spot green sea turtles, dolphins, sea eagles, squirrel gliders, kangaroos, lorikeets and even the threatened pied oystercatcher. There are four walks to choose from, offered as both linear and loop tracks. They range from 20 minutes to one hour, covering 500 metres to 2.2 kilometres, with easy to moderate grades. All walks begin at the main car park, and as part of the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, pets and open fires are not permitted. Please note, there are no toilets or drinking water, so prepare before you arrive. Wangi Point Holiday Park, boat ramp and jetty are in close proximity.

Wangi Wangi NSW

3.3 km away

Green Point Foreshore Reserve

Natural Attractions

Green Point Foreshore Reserve

Green Point Foreshore Reserve is a scenic lakeside destination connecting Belmont and Valentine, offering a mix of easy foreshore walks, bushland trails, picnic areas, and stunning lake views. Visitors can enjoy a flat, shared pathway suitable for prams, wheelchairs, bikes, and scooters, or explore bush tracks with stairs and boardwalks winding through eucalyptus forest and small rainforest pockets. Highlights include the grassy lakeside point, a public jetty, and elevated lookouts such as Sea Eagle Lookout and Rocky High, which provide panoramic views across Lake Macquarie and are known for sightings of white‑bellied sea eagles. With picnic shelters, barbecues, toilets, calm waters for fishing and paddling, and interpretive signage sharing the area's coal‑mining and timber history, Green Point is an ideal destination for families, walkers, and nature lovers seeking a relaxed outdoor experience by the lake. Dogs are not permitted in the reserve or along the walking track.

Belmont NSW

4.1 km away

Wangi Circuit Walking Track — Image credit: Photo: Susan Davis/NSW Government

Natural Attractions

Wangi Circuit Walking Track

This serene bushwalk through towering trees gives you the feeling you’re a million miles away from the suburbs, though it’s not too far away at all. Listening to the birds feeding on the eucalypt blossoms, looking up at the huge eucalypts, and seeing the lake shimmer in the sunshine is a wonderfully relaxing experience. Birdwatchers will also enjoy admiring the waterbirds along the way, such as cormorants, white-faced herons, and white-breasted sea eagles. Wildflower-lovers should come in spring or in winter to look for orchids. And when you’re on the shores of the lake, look carefully for sea turtles swimming around in the shallows.

Wangi Wangi NSW

4.3 km away

Pirrita Island Boardwalk — Image credit: Lake Macquarie City Council

Sports and Recreation Facilities

Pirrita Island Boardwalk

The lakeside boardwalk on Pirrita Island showcases the unique landscape and heritage of Swansea foreshore. The 250-metre boardwalk crosses Pirrita Island's mangroves and looks out over the turquoise waters of Swansea Channel. 'Pirrita' is the Awabakal word for oysters from the mangroves, while Miners Point references the coal mining families who lived on the island throughout the 1900s. Interpretive signage has been installed along the boardwalk, showcasing the heritage of the area, as well as the unique flora and fauna that call the island home. As well as this new edition, the existing car park on the western side of Pirrita Island has been upgraded to improve access. A new outdoor fitness trail has also been installed along Channel Street between Swansea Swim Centre and Thomas Humphreys Reserve.

Swansea NSW

5.4 km away

Pelican Foreshore Park

Natural Attractions

Pelican Foreshore Park

Pelican Foreshore Park is a popular family‑friendly destination. The park features a fully fenced playground, grassy picnic areas, covered picnic tables, BBQ facilities, and easy access to toilets, making it a convenient spot for day trips and gatherings. Its sandy lakeside beach provides opportunities for swimming, paddling, and sandcastle building, though visitors should be mindful that currents near the Swansea Channel can become strong, especially for young or inexperienced swimmers. The foreshore also offers scenic views of the Lake with the chance to spot the pelicans that give the area its name.

Pelican NSW

5.6 km away

Arial Shot Kayaking Naru Beach — Image credit: Lake Macquarie Tourism

Natural Attractions

Naru Beach

Known for its stunning beauty and tranquillity, Naru Beach is a hidden gem on the shores of Lake Macquarie with its white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Take a dip in the calm waters, perfect for swimming and cooling off on a hot day. Paddleboarding is also a popular pastime here, allowing you to explore the serene lake while taking in the breathtaking views. If you have a boat or kayak, you can even venture out to the nearby uninhabited sand islands for a unique island-hopping experience. Use Marks Point Boat Ramp located next to the beach to launch your boat. Naru Beach is a haven for families, offering shallow swimming areas that are ideal for kids. However, it's important to note that there are often strong currents in the channels and there have been sightings of the blue-ringed octopus, so supervision is advised. While the beach is relatively small, there is ample space to relax and unwind. Just be sure to bring your own shade, as there are no picnic facilities or amenities available on-site.

Marks Point NSW

5.7 km away

Belmont Baths

Natural Attractions

Belmont Baths

The baths are a great facility for people who enjoy swimming or simply relaxing by the beautiful lake. The facility incorporates protective mesh on all three sides, which encourages people to use the area for swimming. The area includes a new jetty that is 70 metres long, with a 45-metre-wide swimming enclosure and an access ramp to a deep-water platform for people with mobility restrictions. There are toilet facilities, cold showers, picnic tables and undercover areas. The amenities building also stores a mobi aquatic chair to borrow for wheelchair access into the baths (available upon council request). Nearby is a playground, ping pong table and cafes.

Belmont NSW

5.9 km away

Chipmunks Playland & Cafe - Entrance — Image credit: Chipmunks Playland & Cafe

Amusement and Theme Parks

Chipmunks Playland and Cafe Belmont

Chipmunks Playland and Café Belmont is a vibrant indoor play centre designed for children aged 0–11, offering a safe, fun and engaging environment for families in the Lake Macquarie region. The centre is thoughtfully divided into three age-appropriate zones: a Baby Zone for little ones aged 0–2, a Mini Zone for toddlers aged 0–4, and a large Main Zone for older children up to 11. Each space is packed with colourful play equipment, climbing structures and a giant ball pit that keeps kids entertained for hours. One of the standout features of Chipmunks Belmont is its flexibility - there are no time limits on play, so families can stay as long as they like without feeling rushed. The venue is fully enclosed, air-conditioned and designed with safety in mind, giving parents peace of mind while their children explore and play. Chipmunks Belmont is also a popular destination for birthday parties, offering packages to suit every celebration style, including Basic, Bash and Bonanza options. With a variety of fun themes available, families can create a memorable party experience with minimal stress. For larger celebrations, private venue hire is available, giving guests exclusive access to the entire centre. Alongside the play areas, the on-site café serves freshly made food and barista-quality coffee, making it just as enjoyable for adults as it is for kids.

Belmont NSW

6.1 km away

Shared Track — Image credit: Lake Macquarie City Council

Sports and Recreation Facilities

Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track (FAST)

Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track (FAST) is a scenic extension of the popular Fernleigh Track, offering locals and visitors a peaceful route through the stunning Belmont Wetlands State Park and Belmont Lagoon Reserve. Perfect for walking, running, and cycling, this shared path connects Belmont to Blacksmiths, improving access to nature while supporting active lifestyles. Whether you're a local looking for a new way to explore or a visitor wanting to experience the beauty of the area, the FAST track is an ideal choice for outdoor recreation. Together, the Fernleigh Track and the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track provide a 27-kilometre continuous active transport route from Adamstown to Murrays Beach. The Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track forms part of the Coastline R1 Regional Cycleway, part of the Greater Newcastle Principle Bicycle Network. Features include an elevated boardwalk over Belmont Lagoon and a birdwatching loop. Start at the southern end of the existing Fernleigh Track in Belmont, with parking available near the old Belmont railway station or join the track from the Pacific Highway at Blacksmiths, making it convenient for surrounding areas.

Belmont NSW

6.3 km away

Marmong Picnic Area — Image credit: Photo: Ashley Deveridge

Natural Attractions

Marmong Picnic Area

Nestled in the bush within Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, you’ll find idyllic Marmong picnic area. It’s perfect for families and those looking for a moment of serenity by the lake, yet there’s also plenty to do. It’s a beautiful spot to stop for a bite to eat while bushwalking along Awaba Bay Foreshore walk. With an abundance of birdlife, it’s also a great place to get out the binoculars for a bit of birdwatching. You can also enjoy a refreshing swim in the lake or throw in a line and try your luck fishing. It's a great paddling destination if you have your own kayak or canoe and, if you’re out on the water, you might catch a glimpse of a dolphin or a sea turtle. For those who just want to relax, there's plenty of soft, grassy patches to spread out a blanket, admire the scenic views across the lake and laze away the day under the trees with a good book.

Bolton Point NSW

6.5 km away

Station Master's Cottage Fassifern — Image credit: Kate Belton

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Tinkat Alley Art Studio

Tinkat Alley Art Stufio is a working art studio and art gallery in the heritage listed Fassifern Station Master's Cottage. Come along and see artists at work in the studio. They also hold classes and demonstrations. The gallery is in the old station master's cottage. You will find paintings in watercolour, acrylic, pastel, ink, oil and mixed media. The gallery also has glassware, pyrography, felt work, sculptures and jewelry . All the art in the gallery is the work of local Lake Macquarie artisans.

Fassifern NSW

6.5 km away

Awaba Bay Foreshore Walk — Image credit: Photo: Susan Davis/NSW Government

Natural Attractions

Awaba Bay Foreshore Walk

Discover why the locals love living here and take Awaba Bay Foreshore walk. Listen to the birds first thing in the morning, enjoy the views of the sparkling lake, and feel the cool breeze off the water on a warm day. You’ll hear the call of frogs and the laughter of kookaburras, and see lorikeets and sea eagles above the tree tops – don’t forget your binoculars for birdwatching. As you walk along the shore, perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to spot the beautiful dolphins and green sea turtles that call Lake Macquarie home. Diverse habitats make this an interesting and varied walk; you’ll pass a swamp complex between Alexanders picnic area and Hepplewhites Shack, as well as tall open forest and the grassy areas of the picnic sites. Take the time to stop at one of these and enjoy the peace of this beautiful place, so special to locals and visitors alike.

Bolton Point NSW

6.7 km away

Discovering Blacksmiths Beach — Image credit: Lake Macquarie Tourism

Natural Attractions

Blacksmiths Beach

Blacksmiths Beach is a beautiful, family‑friendly stretch of golden sand at the southern end of Lake Macquarie's nine‑mile coastline. Enjoy safe, patrolled swimming during the warmer months (September - April), stroll or fish off the scenic Swansea Channel break wall, or relax in the shaded picnic areas near the Swansea Belmont Surf Life Saving Club. The beach offers convenient facilities including toilets, showers, ample free parking, picnic tables, barbeques, a nearby playground, and easy access to a takeaway shop just across the road, making it the perfect spot for a carefree coastal day out. If you have children or want a shallow calm swim spot, walk around to the tidal Granny's Pool. If you have a four-wheel drive, vehicles are permitted within Belmont Wetlands State Park for 4WD Access to Nine Mile Beach. Permits are only available online. The beach features accessible parking, toilets (MLAK), a ramp, and beach wheelchairs available during patrol season.

Blacksmiths NSW

7.3 km away

Grannies Pool

Natural Attractions

Grannies Pool

Grannies Pool is a sheltered, shallow tidal pool, paired with a small sandy beach area, making it an ideal spot for families with young children or elderly. Located on Swansea Channel at the southern end of Blacksmiths Beach. The pool has a unique history, formed when a gap in the breakwall allowed water from Swansea Channel to flow in, creating a natural pool. Its name reflects generations of memories, as parents and grandparents have long brought their children here to learn how to swim. Highly accessible for wheelchairs, featuring a 50-metre, all-abilities pathway from the parking area to the sand. The area includes accessible parking, a concrete viewing platform, and beach matting that extends to the hard sand for easier access. Grannies Pool fills with the incoming tide, offering deeper water at high tide and much shallower conditions at low tide, so it's best to plan your visit around the tides. From the pool, you can follow the walking path to the Blacksmiths Breakwall for sweeping views of Swansea Channel. Blacksmiths Beach is also close by, with access less than a 400‑metre walk away.

Blacksmiths NSW

7.4 km away

Museum of Art and Culture, yapang front entrance — Image credit: Museum of Art and Culture, yapang

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Museum of Art and Culture, yapang

The Museum of Art and Culture, yapang (MAC yapang) is an art museum situated on the shores of Lake Macquarie. The art museum presents an ever-changing program of exhibitions, events and visual arts programs throughout the year, and offers a retail shop and cafe. The word yapang (pronounced yar pung) means journey/pathway in Awabakal and is the name given to a new dedicated Aboriginal program within the Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, yapang (MAC). The initiative is a natural progression of the 19-year relationship between the art museum and Aboriginal Reference Group. It is surrounded by five hectares of leafy grounds containing a sculpture garden.

Booragul NSW

8.0 km away

ROWING ON STUNNING LAKE MACQUARIE — Image credit: Lake Macquarie Rowing Club

Sports and Recreation Facilities

Lake Macquarie Rowing Club

Rowing on the stunning Lake Macquarie. Lake Macquarie Rowing Club is a welcoming, community-based club located at Booragul on the northern shore of the lake. They offer rowing opportunities for all ages and abilities—from Learn to Row programs and beginners to those keen to compete locally, at State or National level. With regular training sessions and social rows throughout the week, there's no better way to experience the stunning surrounds of Lake Macquarie than from a rowing scull at sunrise. Whether you're new to the sport or returning after a break, they invite you to join them on the water and be part of their friendly and supportive rowing community.

Booragul NSW

8.1 km away

Salts Bay — Image credit: Lake Macquarie City Council

Natural Attractions

Salts Bay

Salts Bay is a tranquil pocket of Lake Macquarie, located on the southern shore of the Swansea Channel, between Blacksmiths and Caves Beach. Sheltered and scenic, the bay is surrounded by wetlands, mangroves and littoral rainforest, offering calm waters and peaceful lake views away from busier foreshore areas. The bay is rich in birdlife, with Black Neds Walking Trail and foreshore areas ideal for relaxed strolls, quiet picnics or simply taking in the surroundings. The protected bays make it a perfect opportunity for swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and fishing. Salts Bay has a quiet historical charm as well. The area was once the site of small‑scale salt works in the mid‑1800s, a reminder of Lake Macquarie's long connection to industry and maritime life, before nature reclaimed the shoreline and shaped the peaceful landscape seen today.

Swansea Heads NSW

8.1 km away

Caves Beach

Natural Attractions

Caves Beach

Caves Beach is the name of both a suburb and beach on the Swansea peninsula, roughly 30 kilometres south of Newcastle and just to the east of Lake Macquarie. The beach is named for the network of sculptural sea caves spread along its southern end, which are wondrous to explore, especially for kids. But a caveat: they can only be accessed at low tide. The beach was named in the 2025 top 10 beaches of Australia. The beach is patrolled, and is ideal for both swimmers and surfers.

Caves Beach NSW

8.9 km away

See sculptures along the lake

Parks and Gardens

Creative Lake Sculpture Trail

Lake Macquarie’s love affair with outdoor art is nowhere better on display than with the Creative Lake Sculpture Trail, a five-kilometre trail linking larger-than-life artworks along the foreshore. In the popular precincts of Speers Point, Warners Bay and Eleebana, you’ll discover an eclectic collection of contemporary artworks – from sculptures to conceptual installations and 3D murals – by Australian and international artists including Guan Wei, Guy Maestri, Alex Seton, Naidee Changmoh and Antone Bruinsma. You can walk, bike and even rollerblade between the sites via the Warners Bay Foreshore Shared Pathway, or drive between them with on and some off-street parking available Download the Culture Trails guide from the Lake Macquarie City Council website to not only discover what you might see while wandering the route but also explore other Lake Macquarie cultural highlights, including galleries and historic sites.

Warners Bay NSW

9.0 km away

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