feature WATER-BASED ACTIVITIES Kayaking (http://lakemacquariekayaks.com.au/)
Kayaking out to a sand island is a lovely way to enjoy your own little piece of Lake Macquarie. The great thing about Lake Macquarie Kayaks is that it’s a mobile hire business, so you can get your kayak or stand-up paddle board delivered to any part of the lake or to your accommodation and they’ll pick it up when you’re done.
Fishing Anglers will be in heaven here. Since commercial fishing was banned you can find species such as mulloway, bream, dusky flathead, tailor, squid, luderick and sand whiting. Lake Macquarie is linked to the sea via the Swansea Channel, which is where you’ll find large schools of Australian salmon over the Winter.
Jet boating (www.skylineaviation.com.au)
Go for a thrill ride along the lake. You’ll travel at up to 42 knots and experience high-speed slides and turns, 360° spins, power brake
stops and fish tails. There’s also the option of extending the trip to open water, travelling along the Swansea Channel and into the ocean where the boat will chop, spin and surf on waves.
Snorkelling and diving (www.snorkelanddivesafariswansea.com.au)
There are shore dives, boat dives, instructorled dives and equipment hire if you know what you’re doing and want to explore on your own. There are also snorkelling courses and they’ll let you in on the best coastal and Lake Macquarie underwater sites to check out.
LAND-BASED ACTIVITIES 4WD You bought that beast of a car for a reason, so make the most of it. Blacksmiths Beach is renowned for being one of the only spots where the closer you get to the tide, the softer the sand becomes. So reduce your tyre pressure to take on those big dunes. Stockton Beach and Nine Mile Beach require permits and Watagans National Park is for serious drivers, with steep gorges and rocky ridges.
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