One of Lake Macquarie’s most loved winter events is back. Float Your Boat sees decorated and illuminated boats cruise across the lake over two nights in June, with families lining the shores to watch the light display roll past.
In addition to the boat flotilla, Lake Macquarie City Council will have Live Sites where spectators can enjoy the best viewing points with music, art, entertainment, and food.
Float Your Boat is free, family-friendly, and a great reason to get outside on a winter evening. The event runs on Friday 19 June and Saturday 20 June 2026.
What Is Float Your Boat?
Organised by Lake Macquarie City Council, Float Your Boat is an annual flotilla event where boats decorated with lights travel across different parts of the lake each night. Spectators gather at foreshores, parks, and reserves along the route to watch the boats pass by.
Each year, the community can vote for the Newcastle Permanent People’s Choice Award for best light display. Voting opens online from 7pm on Friday 19 June (once photos of all eligible boats are uploaded to Council’s Float Your Boat website) and closes Sunday 28 June 2026 at 11:59pm.
Float Your Boat Runs Over Two Nights
Friday 19 June – Western Shore Route
The flotilla departs from Empire Marina (Marmong Point) and travels to Toronto, Coal Point and Wangi Wangi.
The event kicks off with the Toronto Foreshore live site which runs from 4:30pm – 8:30pm.
Get there early to grab a good spot. There’s plenty of fun including:
- Live music by The Steve Edmonds Band
- LED juggling roving performer Kenny Cheung
- LED Selfie Frame and performers in LED costumes by Fyrestorm Entertainments
- Food trucks on site
The flotilla arrives into Toronto foreshore at approximately 6:30pm.
Friday Night Flotilla Schedule
| Time | Location |
|---|---|
| 6:00pm | Departs Empire Marina (Marmong Point) |
| 6:23pm | Bolton Point |
| 6:30pm | Toronto Foreshore (live site) |
| 7:03pm | Carey Point Foreshore / Yarul Reserve |
| 7:15pm | Coal Point |
| 7:30pm | Kilaben Bay / Catalina Bay |
| 7:40pm | Rathmines Park |
| 8:00pm | Fishing Point |
| 8:10pm | Arcadia Vale Reserve |
| 8:30pm | Wangi District Workers Club |
| 8:35pm | Wangi Wangi RSL Jetty |
Times are approximate.
Good spots to watch on Friday night:
- Marmong Point foreshore through to Empire Marina Lake Macquarie
- Bolton Point Park
- Toronto Foreshore – (live site)
- Carey Bay Foreshore and Yarul Reserve – Carey Bay
- Coal Point
- Kilaben Bay Reserve
- Rathmines Park Boat Ramp
- Arcadia Reserve – Arcadia Vale
- Wangi District Workers Club
- Wangi RSL Club
Saturday 20 June – Eastern Shore Route
The flotilla travels from Belmont through Valentine, Eleebana and Warners Bay, finishing at Empire Marina.
The fun continues on Saturday night with the Warners Bay live site which runs from 4:30pm – 8:30pm at the Warners Bay Foreshore. Activities include:
- Live music by Baxter’s Revenge
- Kids DJ – DJ Karinalovesbass
- LED Hula Hoop Girls on Roller Skates by Rollerfit
- LED Selfie Frame and performers in LED costumes by Fyrestorm Entertainments
- Food and entertainment along the foreshore
The flotilla arrives at Warners Bay at approximately 7:40pm.
Saturday Night Flotilla Schedule
| Time | Location |
|---|---|
| 6:30pm | Belmont Foreshore |
| 6:50pm | Belmont 16s Sailing Club |
| 7:05pm | Green Point Reserve |
| 7:12pm | Bennett Park, Valentine |
| 7:24pm | Croudace Bay |
| 7:40pm | Warners Bay Foreshore (live site) |
| 8:10pm | Speers Point Park |
| 8:20pm | Empire Marina (Marmong Point) |
Times are approximate.
Good spots to watch on Saturday night:
- Belmont Foreshore, Brooks Parade (there won’t be a live site at Belmont this year but it’s a great spot to watch the flotilla)
- Belmont 16s
- Green Point Walk, foreshore and Sea Eagle Lookout
- Bennett Park – Valentine
- Croudace Bay Park and Valentine Bowling Club
- Lions Park – Eleebana
- Red Bluff Boardwalk – Eleebana
- Warners Bay Foreshore (live site)
- View anywhere along the shared pathway between Eleebana and Speers Point Park.
How to Make the Most of It With Kids
Go to a live site. Toronto (Friday) and Warners Bay (Saturday) both have food trucks, live music, and entertainment from 4:30pm – well before the boats arrive. Arriving early means a better spot and more to keep the kids occupied.
Pack a picnic. Choose a foreshore spot, bring camp chairs and snacks, and settle in. The atmosphere builds as it gets darker.
Watch from the car. Some viewing spots let you stay warm and watch the boats from your car – handy if you’ve got little ones.
Go out for dinner. Warners Bay and Belmont have lakeside dining options where you can watch the flotilla roll past without leaving your table.
Host your own. If you’re lucky enough to have lake views, invite friends over for a Float Your Boat BBQ. It’s a local tradition to flash your torch back at the boats as they pass.
Practical Information
- Cost: Free to attend
- Parking: Foreshore areas can fill up – arrive early, especially at Toronto and Warners Bay live sites
- Weather: It’s June in Newcastle – layers are a good idea, especially after dark
- Voting: Cast your People’s Choice vote online from 7pm Friday 19 June until 11:59pm Sunday 28 June
For full details, visit Lake Macquarie City Council website.
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