Best Winter Family Day Outs in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter
Winter is no reason to stay home. Here are 12 tried-and-tested family day outs across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter — most of them free.
Float Your Boat 2026: Watch a Flotilla of Boats Sail Past on Lake Macquarie
Gather on the shores of Lake Macquarie to see boats pass by for Float Your Boat. It runs on Friday 19 & Saturday 20 June 2026
Playgrounds with Nearby Pubs in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
Craving some good old-fashioned pub grub? Head to a local pub or club for lunch or dinner. Here’s our list of local pubs and clubs that have playgrounds nearby.
Get Your Kids Painting a Portrait or Landscape for the Young Dobell Competition!
In celebration of the Lake Macquarie Dobell Festival, Lake Macquarie City Council is inviting budding artists to participate in the Young Dobell competition.
Edgeworth Trains: Ride On a Miniature Train With Your Kids
If you have young train lovers in your family, Edgeworth Trains is a must-do.It’s a local institution that both kids and adults will love and it’s returning soon!
Best Playgrounds in Lake Macquarie for Kids and Families
Lake Macquarie has some brilliant playgrounds — here’s our guide to the best parks across the region, from Speers Point to Morisset, with local tips on what to expect at each one.
Best Lake Macquarie Walks To Do With Kids – 21 Walks to Explore
Lake Macquarie has beautiful walks for families at every level — from flat foreshore paths with lake views to proper bush adventures. Here are 21 of our favourites.
Fenced Playgrounds in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
Here’s our big list of playgrounds in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & the Hunter which are fenced, perfect if you have a new walker (or runner!) in your family. We’ve included a list of fully-fenced and partially-fenced playgrounds.
Take Kids 11 Years & Under Chipmunks to Belmont Play Centre for Unlimited Play!
Visit Chipmunks Playland & Cafe in Belmont and relax with a coffee or enjoy some food while kids 11 and under enjoy some indoor play. There’s separate play areas for babies, toddlers and bigger kids.
Visit Chartley Street Reserve Playground at Warners Bay
Take little ones for a play at Chartley Street Reserve in Warners Bay. There’s lots of fun, brightly-coloured play equipment and it provides a quieter alternative to Warner Park.
Explore Rathmines with a Newy with Kids Scavenger Hunt!
Check out our latest Newy with Kids scavenger hunt! We teamed up with Lake Macquarie City Council to develop a fun scavenger hunt in Rathmines, our second in Lake Macquarie.
Rathmines Park: Enjoy this Plane-Themed Playground With Lake Views
Take your kids for a play at Rathmines Park. Former home of the RAAF Catalina Flying Boat Base, it features plane-themed play equipment and a great view of the lake.
Visit Caves Beach But Check the Tides First Before You Explore Sea Caves
Caves Beach is so named as it’s a network of sea caves located on a beach. A popular spot near Swansea in Lake Macquarie, it’s worth a visit. However, you’ll need to check the tides first as you can only visit the sea caves during low tide.
Enjoy A Drive Up to Mount Sugarloaf
Go for a drive out to Mount Sugarloaf. At 412 metres high, Mt Sugarloaf can be seen across Newcastle & Lake Macquarie and you can walk to the summit.