There's petting zoo for younger kids. Beautiful place to stroll around and with panoramic views a full day can be spent right here,walk onto the headland,a a Ms break wall, see the lighthouse, and Stockton bridge across the river mouth, watch the ships come so close when entering the port of Newcastle, and maybe even see or hear the cannon go off at 1pm at Fort scratchley awesome food and shakes coffee and cold drinks at the cafe right on Nobbys beach, and the walk round to Newcastle beach is very interesting with the rock pools and the baths. Pretty interesting place to visit. Where do I begin! There is a few more activities around the dunes but if youre there strictly there for the camels just plan for it, bring shade and water as the operators dont even provide shelter for customers. 4:11 pm Newcastle. Exceptional value and generously priced. Highly recommend. Port Macquarie to Newcastle (Australia) drive - Trippy CoastXP's Adventure Tour is a premier offshore boating experience showcasing the magnificent Hunter coastline. The knitting of old and new architecture works really well. A great landmark to visit, when we were visiting a rainbow just appeared on the ocean. The Newcastle Museum has both permanent and temporary exhibitions, is home to The Newcastle Shop and is perfect for kids! The car rental office is located outside, at the arrivals end of the terminal. Nice place to walk the dogs further up the beach away from swimming area, and some good parking behind the cemetery for quick access down ti the beach, very nice beach, fine sands and not too busy. My daughter had a great time feeding many animals. Bus services within Newcastle are operated by Newcastle Transport. Popular with surfers, family beachgoers, and local dolphins, Nobbys Beachis one of the most iconic beaches in town. Also a large spacious lawn for kids to run around or if you want to have picnic you are most welcome! Bonus winery dog makes it a unforgettable experience. Considered as one of the highest profile beach amongst residents and tourists, Nobbys Beach is known for its gentle waves for everyone looking to swim or surf for the beginners. There are literally hundreds of plants ( even a climbing vine) decorating the walls and streets of this amazing place , Rent a car to explore Lake Macquarie. Tickets are $20 and includes a cheese platter, art materials. The complex ( even on the ceilings) Located 10 minutes from Pokolbin, the Hunter Valley Zoo has a glorious collection of native and international animals including the gorgeous meerkats pictured above. Fort Scratchley is now an interactive military museum. The rays and sharks are super friendly and the information that you learn from this experience is fantastic. Spectacular view of the sea, beach, city. It was an amazing experience. Had an excellent time while I was there! I checked yesterday before driving out here this morning only to find a notice on your front door. Be sure to catch the 6 minute BHP Steelmaking show which features special effects. Terrigal Skillon has impressive views of wamberal and Avoca beach. Love love love! You can stroll along Nobbys to the lighthouse and then take the 3km return walk out to the end of the break wall. By Lisa Rockman. Here, prepare to find amazement in the landmarks 182 hectares of natural bushland. This historic coastal fort is one of Newcastles most popular tourist attractions. Nobbys Road, Newcastle East, New South Wales, Australia. Our guide was very well informed and was able to answer our questions. Really cool! Stay and have lunch or start with brekkie in the caf. Looking across Pittwater to the west, you can spot the West Head Lookout, another famous Sydney lookout point with panoramic views. Open full screen to view more. Lake Macquarie (New South Wales) - Wikipedia However, its guns were not put to use until June 1942, when a Japanese submarine shelled the city of Newcastle. Only 5 minutes from Cessnock, you dont have to go out of your way, and it makes a fun day out for the whole family. Thank you for a superb luncheon, and anytime we are in the neighbourhood, we'll be popping in again. Our host Mitch was very accommodating and knowledgeable. Very interesting building providing great views at the top. Whale Watching & Adventure Tours In Newcastle/Lake Mac - CoastXP From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. This past weekend we sat down for a relaxed five-course lunch at Margan on the patio with a scenic view of the vines and farm where the food comes directly from. All the tasks are great giving his info about the animals. Last but not least , the landscape ! Mount Faulk Rd, Cooranbong NSW 2265, Australia. The alligators here amazing and the number of them that are maintained well in a water body with in park is amazing to watch. You can spot dolphins in the lake, too. Shallow river nearby ocean is picturesque. There is wheelchair access everywhere and they had maintained the toilets well. Its a historic and a unique lighthouse surrounded by the beautiful beaches. There are 5 ways to get from Newcastle to Lake Macquarie Shire by train, bus, taxi or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. Great place to take pictures for your girl. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Explore the Lake Macquarie coastline! I've been to many wineries for wine tasting sessions, and this offered by far the best experience of all of them. People love visiting Cessnock and Pokolbin, among others. Highly recommend! Blackbutt Reserve is a beautiful nature reserve that offers natural bushland with nature trails, wildlife exhibits and childrens attractions. Its a comfort to know that the artichokes, asparagus and fennel youre eating was grown only a few steps away. Tickets cost $35 - $55 and the journey . You could check out Oakfield Ranch Camel Rides and Murray's Brewery, or the always popular Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters! Bravo to the gusto and vision of the man 1238 Milbrodale Rd, Broke NSW 1317, Australia. Lake Macquarie, North Coast - Accommodation, things to do & more (The tower is not open for public use though). Newcastle Airport's car rental partners Avis, Budget, Europcar, Thrifty, Hertz, and Redspot/Enterprise offer great rates. Its $13 per day for parking (or $4 per hour). 307 Wine Country Drive, Nulkaba02 4991 4418www.ernesthillwines.com.au. We really enjoyed our visit to the gaol and would go back again but take the kids. We learned scuba diving in Terrigal Haven. Cnr Broke Rd & Wine Country Drive, Pokolbin I love how the rays and sharks are outdoors now, they get natural sunlight and normal weather conditions. Then you have the markets downstairs, I enjoyed the visit, but I wish they made the direction of the tour clearer, as I got confused on several occasions. 2023. Enjoy a day on the beach with the views of the coastline and the historic lighthouse, or stretch your legs and take a walk along the breakwall. The sheer size of this complex Great and friendly service - we had an overall great dining experience. Undoubtedly Newcastle's most spectacular vantage point, Fort Scratchley Historic Site is a unique nationally significant heritage site that has unrivaled panoramic views over the Pacific. Private Boat Charters in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Stay organized with a to-do list, packing list, shopping list, any kind of list. If you can visit on a weekday - it's alot quieter. This was originally founded as a major Bicentennial project in 1988. It is the hub of the Greater Newcastle area which includes most parts of the local government areas of City of Newcastle, City of Lake Macquarie, City of Cessnock, City of . Thank you Maitland Art Gallery. Sitting in a tract of bushland with plenty of walking trails and picnic areas, this council-run reserve has enclosures of native critters: koalas, wallabies, wombats and a cacophonic chorus of native birds. Some nice Portuguese varieties and their sparkling Shiraz was fantastic. What a way to spend an afternoon! This site and app let me do all the planning for our 15 day trip in a little over 6 hours! Would definitely recommend this place. Hire a car at Newcastle Airport and take an easy 40 minute drive to the the northern shores of Lake . 1,283. from $96/night. Theres paid parking but access to the park is free. The cheapest way to get from Tweed Heads to Lake Macquarie costs only $106, and the quickest way takes just 5 hours. Kathy was amazing, she is very knowledgeable and passionate about animals and we managed to pat and learn about 7 animals within an hour. If youre going as just adults, you would probably only visit the historical section which can be covered in 20-30 mins so just take not of that. Packed with interesting artifacts and interactive exhibits, it is well worth visiting. The play area for kids is good too. Mitch was really friendly and we enjoyed the tasting despite being a walk in on an early Sunday morning ! The reserve also has nature trails, recreational facilities and is now home to a new $1.5m adventure playground! By the way there are portable toilets at the lighthouse. I dont know whether it is just me, but I LOVE the zoo, and always make time for a trip there no matter where we are. If you are looking for a quiet spot to relax in the sun reading, this is a good choice. Built when Australia was fortifying itself against a feared Russian invasion, the Fort first fired its guns during a Japanese sub attack during World War 2. Cheers bus tours took care of us and made the whole day easy and enjoyable! Beautiful beach, not too busy even at the weekends. Luckily, the Hunter is well equipped with family activities, including an impressive zoo. The Kangaroos here are lovely and kids can have fun time feeding them. Music by Pat Eyre Duo. Our cellar door offers an unforgettable experience, with our bubbly staff there to help you choose your favourite sparkling wine. Besides offering stupendous views over the Pacific, it also teaches you a bit of local history. Fire and Earth is where you can learn about the region's industrial past, and the Link Gallery is home to an 1890 pipe organ, a locomotive from 1870 and other heritage-style relics. If you want to enjoy a natural preserve that features native wildlife, this is the place for you. Theres a lot of places to visit while staying in the nearest holiday park around. Wont be coming back! Head to the northern end of the beach for more solitude. It is open daily, except Tuesdays. The beach has resident dolphins that frequent the area and great breaks for surfing. The Archibald Prize is always spectacular and to see it in my home town is the icing on the cake. Wine not!! Nothing outstanding just another tourist town. A must to visit in Sydney, NSW. After living in the city now for 30 years and passing this historic treasure SO many times, I have finally had a tour. We missed visiting this time because of the quarantine shutdown but snapped this shot of the fun wall outside. drive for about 35 minutes. 307 Wine Country Dr, Nulkaba NSW 2325, Australia. Guide To Restaurants - Lake Macquarie, NSW | HUNTERhunter Recommended option Line 14 bus 58 min Take the line 14 bus from Darby St Before Bull St to Pacific Hwy At Awabakal Av 14 $3 - $6 Nobbys is the first beach you come to along the Bathers Way. Includes 6 cinemas within the building, Brilliant, although you used to be able to wonder through the tunnels on your own, but now you have to pay for a tour.. We were given a talk about the sharks that they have in the pool with the rays and unfortunately the talk given is way too long and the children were bored, plus we didn't really get to see the larger sharks anyway. Lake Macquarie & Newcastle - Caravan Camping NSW The guides were also more than happy to take a bunch of photos and videos that were perfect. Also the amenities are well kept! 138 Lomas Ln, Nulkaba NSW 2325, Australia. Gas from Newcastle to Lake Macquarie would cost around $3 to $8 USD, depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency. My 6 year old daughter was entranced and delighted by the experience. It is the hub of the Greater Newcastle area which includes most parts of the local government areas of City of Newcastle, City of Lake Macquarie, City of Cessnock, City of Maitland . I cant recommend it enough! Ungala Road, Lake Macquarie, New South Wales 2281 Australia. Visitors are also invited to enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna that can be found throughout the reserve. There are 4 ways to get from Bowral to Lake Macquarie by train, bus or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. November to May each year. Recommended. The fort has been decommissioned since 1972 and now houses a museum with historic guns, galleries, artefacts and Parade and Ceremony grounds. Stunning setting and a surprisingly different but lovely way to do a tasting. For me, it is one time must visit place, but I will not go the next time. Pokolbin lies within the Hunter Valley Important Bird Area. MRAG is one of my favourite galleries to visit, and not merely because it's so close to home. Beautiful and historic places by the Newcastle coast. Skydive Sydney-Newcastle up to 15,000ft Tandem Skydive. Best to park near the bowling club or the tall carpark (both free). Stunning views, and Nobby's lighthouse just a short walk away. Neville's tasting session was absolutely excellent, with incredible information and insight. There are also interactive activity packs that can be used in the reserve before ending the day at the adventure playground. Great accommodation, very quirky and interesting design with the whole place. 02 4998 7881 With Antique Decor/ furniture. Sports and Recreation Facilities. Blackbutt Reserve is 182 hectares of natural bushland just outside the city, that offers a haven of nature trails, outdoor activities and treetop walkways, as well as the chance to get up close and personal with some of Australias most famous wildlife. All services require a transfer, and take on average 2h 21m. The sparkling wine selection here is amazing and we always finish off a visit to the Hunter with a quick tasting and a box of six.Good for: bubbles. Whether you are planning ahead or leaving now, there are a number of ways you can plan your trip, look up times or check for travel alerts on your phone . You can use your NSW Discover voucher. Cessnock is the most popular city on the route it's less than an hour from Newcastle and less than an hour from Lake Macquarie. Great day out visiting the Art Gallery. This is one of the great escape spots located just around an hour drive from Sydney. Take away your own rubbish. Extremely enjoyable family experience, really relaxed, no rush, hustle or queue! The City Of Newcastle. Lake Macquarie, 1A First Street, Booragul. Seal Rocks to Newcastle (PDF 948.91KB) Newcastle to Broken Bay (PDF 980.08KB) November 2016: 9-10 (PDF 992.92KB) If you havent been to the Hunter Valley Zoo for a while it might be time to come and acquaint yourself with some new arrivals including the beautiful triplet common Marmoset babies born in August. So many places to choose from these days, won't be coming back unless it's just for coffee, beautiful historical building in a gorgeous scenic spot, 128/130 Swan St, Morpeth NSW 2321, Australia. LAKE MACQUARIE - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor Interesting exhibitions and friendly staff. If youre going on a road trip from Newcastle to Lake Macquarie, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Cessnock and $Pokolbin and top places to visit like Oakfield Ranch Camel Rides and Murray's Brewery, or the ever-popular Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters. The southern end is good for swimming, with ships One of the best beaches I've been to. Suburbs of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie currently serviced by Mobile Massage Australia. The walls are covered in murals by local artist Trevor Dickinson, who has created some stunning works. Historical Sites and Heritage Locations. Newcastle to Lake Macquarie Shire - 5 ways to travel via - Rome2rio Getting Here and Around | Visit Lake Macquarie | Love the Lake This attractive museum in the restored Honeysuckle rail workshops tells a tale of the city from its Indigenous Awabakal origins to its rough-and-tumble social history, shaped by a cast of convicts, coal miners Newcastle Museum is another must-see landmark in the region. Wonderful walk on a sunny day, two trails are available to the top. Recent trip midweek with family to occupy kids home from school (industrial action). . THE 10 BEST Hotels in Lake Macquarie 2023 - Tripadvisor We've compiled data from NASA for each month of the year: see the links below for more information. If you want to swim stick to the southern end where you will usually find the flags. There was abit of a wait for the main courses due to a mix-up which was acknowledged by the service team ( always a good point when restaurants own up to a mistake) and rectified by way of complimentary desserts. Highly recommend Cheers bus, John and Gary were very organised and knowledgeable. It provides a pleasant travel route through a bushland setting with links along the way to adjoining residential communities. Set right in the center of town is the excellent Newcastle Museum, which offers fascinating insight into the history, culture and heritage of the city. Tip: Attend the keeper talks/animal feedings. Great place to get the rc,s out for a run on the rocks. Pokolbin is a rural locality in the Hunter Region of New South Wales Australia. Other popular stops include Blackbutt Nature Reserve, The Entrance Town Centre Management, and Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters. THE 10 BEST Restaurants in Lake Macquarie - Tripadvisor Beautiful view and crystal clear water. Highly recommended! We were here for a 10am tasting and saw kangaroos on their vineyard too! Restaurant was spacious and had great views of their vineyard. For a taste of local heritage, head to Fort Scratchley where there are a number of historic buildings and installations including old servant's quarters, the old guardhouse with two old jail cells, Commandments Cottage, a laboratory, an observation post and 5 Museum rooms covering everything from pre-Fort use by the Awabakal people to the Fort's important role in coastline protection during WWII. Its a turn up and hope for the best situation which means you could end up lining up in the sun and wind for over and hour. Such a beautiful beach. Although the tour was informative and fun, so I don't regret that at all.. Catalina Motel Lake Macquarie. The fort was built to protect Newcastle from an enemy attack and the fascinating history has been well preserved. He brings a wealth of knowledge of the Hunter Valley and does an amazing tour. Stretching from the commanding lighthouse at Nobbys Headland to the coastal wilderness of Glenrock Reserve and the early coal workings at Burwood Beach, Newcastle's Bathers. They paired well with the olives and olive oil tasting. The top stops along the way from Newcastle to Lake Macquarie (with short detours) are Newcastle Memorial Walk, Australian Reptile Park, and Peterson House - Hunter Valley Winery. Families tip: Make sure you check out the website download some great kids activities before you go to get everyone in the mood. Lake Macquarie & Newcastle Outdoor Activities & Adventures The historical section of the museum is quite nice with lots of stories to tell, albeit not that large as its all confined to practically one room. It was built in the early 1800s, and is a museum, memorial, and historical site. You can drive from Newcastle to Lake Macquarie. The exhibits include koalas, kangaroos, wombats and possums, as well as an array of fantastic bird life in the trees above. We couldnt go past the cheese plate either. For the champagne lovers amongst you, Peterson Houses sparkling wine is as close as youll get in Australia. Wife loved the freshly shucked oysters. Built in 2015, the walkway commemorates the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli during World War I and also acts as a memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives serving overseas. There are two walking tracks that go all the way up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse on top of the hill from where you can enjoy stunning ocean views. If you get a chance check the rain approaching over the sea. From planning your day perspective you can visit in the morning and go with each talk or other option to visit in the afternoon as all the talks repeat in the second half. Lake Macquarie, Australia 2023: Best Places to Visit - Tripadvisor Located down near Honeysuckle Wharf in the old railway workshops, be sure to drop into the free Newcastle Museum for at least a quick look. The zoo is small but covers a lot of animals for kids to enjoy without getting tired. We had the reserve tasting with the Ploughman's platter and it was absolutely divine! Lambton Pool There lots of choice for swimming at Lambton Pool, and it's one of the area's favourite public pools.The pool complex has a heated 50m, learners and toddlers pool as well as a diving pool. You can either take a free self guided tour or pay for the tunnel tour like we did and be taken underground by a friendly and knowledgeable guide who will talk about the guns on the site as well as share first hand experience of life at the time. Nobbys Beach is a local favourite for families and swimmers. Highly recommend to anyone looking for great friendly service and great unique accommodation! Highly recommend booking with cheers bus. This nature reserve is home to several different kinds of animals, including echidnas, wombats, and koalas. The long stretch of golden sand and smooth ocean blue waves is a sight like nothing else. Lake Macquarie 1 HT 0-1 2 Newcastle Olympic Lake Macquarie vs Newcastle Olympic Head to Head Overall Total Lake Macquarie (W) Newcastle Olympic (W) Draws Total Matches 13 9 1 3 Total Score 50 33 17 Macquarie Field 7 5 1 1 Darling Street Oval 6 4 0 2 AUS NSW-N Premier League 12 8 1 3 AUS FFA Cup From the car park you access these trails via. I didnt even know that red sparkling wine existed until I came here but its way better than youd think! Mitch was fantastic, very knowledge and just a great bloke to chat to! Located in Newcastle East, catch the Light Rail to the Newcastle Beach stop, and walk the remaining distance to Nobbys Beach, or park onsite. A great option to explore nature and enjoy time with family or friends. The wines were lovely and all grown on site. It was proclaimed a city from 7 September 1984. Cessnock is a city in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, about 52 km by road west of Newcastle. Alternatively, NSW TrainLink operates a train from Broadmeadow Station to Wauchope Station every 4 hours. Serene rainforest park home to campsites, trails & Gap Creek Falls, plus sites with aboriginal art. Along with an exhibition on the citys history is another, Coal andThe BHP:Fire and Earth,which highlights the industries that were the lifeblood of the town for so long. Driving from Newcastle to Lake Macquarie should take you 51 mins in normal traffic. Also, you can no longer walk through the trenches above ground.. Recommended option Bus, train Take the bus from Newcastle Airport, Williamtown Dr to Maitland Rd Opp Beaumont St One of the best things to do in Newcastle is walk the memorial walk, which towers over Strzelecki Headland and offers stunning views. Lovely friendly blokes with great connections at the wineries. The zoo has a wide variety of exotic and native animals, including monkeys, American alligators, Tasmanian Devils, dingoes and lots of birds. A series of boardwalks make it easy to push a stroller and let young ones view the creatures up close in the enclosures. Peterson House Hot Air Balloon (Sunrise Flight) We had Anne for a tasting session and she was brilliant. You can finish everything in half a day. Big Mamma's Pizza. You can tour the old fortress for free or pay a small fee for tunnel tours. The city is situated adjacent to the city of Newcastle and is widely considered as a part of the Greater Newcastle area. Lovely place for kids to see and enjoy Aussie animals. However it is the touching and emotional sculptures that line the path, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli, and the men and women who served, that is the main event here. The staff are friendly and theres a great picnic and grass area with barbecues and play equipment to bring the family. The experience was amazing for kids and families in the mid of Hunter valley. Watagans National Park (Lake Macquarie): All You Need to Know - Tripadvisor Fort Scratchley is the only Australian fort to have ever engaged with a marine military attack, fending off a Japanese submarine during World War Two. Skydive Newcastle | 15,000ft Dive Over Lake Macquarie | Sydney The highlight is the cannon firing at the stroke of 1 pm. Marine-life conservation center offering snorkeling & feeding sessions with rays & sharks. Pizza was good. We stumbled across this winery and it ended up being one of the highlights of our weekend trip! Open all week except Tuesday, from 10am to 4pm. Great hands on experience, 2 Jessie Rd, Anna Bay NSW 2316, Australia. There are picnic tables and barbecues aplenty, but if all you feel like is a drink and an ice-cream, theres an on-site kiosk.