Good food and great company are best enjoyed outdoors. Whether you’re after a beachside barbecue, a lakeside lawn, or a nature picnic in the national park, the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter region has no shortage of great spots for families. Here’s our guide to the best picnic spots across the region.
The Cessnock area has some great picnic spots for families, from national park walks and state forest pine trees to heritage playgrounds and Hunter Valley Gardens. Here’s our guide to the best spots, most with barbecues and playgrounds included.
Newcastle has no shortage of great picnic spots, from beachside parks along the Bathers Way to harbour foreshore and leafy inner-city reserves. Here’s our guide to the best spots for families, with barbecues, playgrounds, and plenty of space to spread out.
Maitland has some great picnic spots — riverside settings, heritage parks, and plenty of space for kids to run around. Here’s our guide to the best spots for families, from Morpeth Common to Walka Water Works and beyond.
Lake Macquarie has some of the best picnic spots in the region — most with water views, barbecues, and playgrounds nearby. Here’s our guide to the top spots for families, from Warners Bay Foreshore to Caves Beach and beyond.
Here’s a selection of family-friendly cafes and restaurants in Newcastle, Maitland and Lake Macquarie that offer playgrounds or kids area.
Get baking with your kids! Here are 10 kid-friendly recipes to try at home.
Pick your own fruit fresh from the farm — here’s our complete guide to the best fruit picking farms in NSW for families, with what’s in season, prices and everything you need to know before you go.
Don’t feel like cooking but want to save on going out with your family? Here’s a list of where kids can eat free (or cheap) in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter region all week long!
Looking for a family-friendly place to eat in Port Stephens? Salamander Hotel in Salamander Bay offers a playground, relaxed dining and a menu kids will love. Perfect for local families and visitors.
Family-friendly dining at Minmi Hotel with a new playground, beer garden, and kids parties. Great meals and relaxed country charm.
Discover An Apple A Day in Tighes Hill, Newcastle. Fresh fruit and veggie boxes with flexible subscriptions, swaps and home delivery across Newcastle & Lake Macquarie
Looking for a family-friendly spot in Stockton where everyone’s welcome, from toddlers to grandparents to the family dog? The Gladstone Hotel has had a glow up, and The Gladdy is now the go-to venue for an adventure across the harbour.
Wander through a local market. There are loads to choose from in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter including farmers markets, art shows and more.