Aerial, Lake MacquarieCredit: Destination NSW
Viewing the scenic coastline and beaches of Lake Macquarie on a scenic flight.
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The largest saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere, beachside Lake Macquarie is an idyllic destination for all kinds of water sports, from kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding to sailing and surfing. The surrounding mountains and coastal parks make for great mountain biking and bushwalking too. Best of all? It’s only 90 minutes from Sydney, making it perfect for an adventure-filled mini-break.
Launch yourself into the water
Make a splash as you enjoy a watery adventure in Lake Macquarie. There are plenty of ways to get out on the water, including taking the wheel of a yacht or letting the skipper set the course for an unforgettable day of sailing with Sail Lake Macquarie or Lake Macquarie Sailing Tours.
Work up a sweat as you explore the lake on a kayak or a stand-up paddle board from Lake Mac Watersports at Cams Wharf. Marvel at the colourful fish flitting beneath Lake Macquarie Kayak Adventures’ Perspex-floored kayaks – you can hire these unique craft by the hour, or join a two-hour guided eco-adventure departing from the shores Swansea Heads. Alternatively, venture out onto the lake in the evening with Showtime Kayaking on a transparent, LED-festooned kayak that lights up the dark waters to reveal all sorts of marine life.
Looking to delve deeper? Wriggle into a wetsuit and slip under the waves to explore the depths of the lake with Dive Swansea. Follow the flippers of your guide on lake dives around the Swansea Bridge and nearby Flagstaff, or wade into the ocean at Catherine Hill Bay for a guided tour of the ocean shoreline.
Feel the power of the sea as you learn to catch waves at Blacksmiths Beach or Caves Beach with seasoned surfers from Newcastle Surf School – or take a private surf lesson with a female instructor from Caves Beach-based Women Soulful Surf.
Take to the air
Be awed by the breadth and the beauty of the lake on a helicopter joy ride with Skyline Aviation. Drink in your bird’s eye view of golden beaches and the intricate inlets of the Lake Macquarie shoreline as you take a 30-minute Lap of the Lake, or board the Skyline chopper as the sky begins to darken for a romantic sunset flight.
Buckle up for a joy flight with a difference when you opt for an aerobatic experience with Matt Hall Racing. Enjoy the Ride of Your Life as your pilot loops, rolls and flies upside down over the lake, or indulge in an exclusive package with former RAAF fight pilot Matt Hall – you’ll reach speeds of up to 370km/h during an Air Race simulation, and cling on as Matt performs high-G turns, barrel rolls and spins.
Chasing more adrenaline rushes? Take in glorious views of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle as you freefall at more than 200km/h during a Skydive tandem beach sky-dive. After freefalling from around 4,500 metres you’ll release your canopy and float back to solid ground in five to seven minutes.
Skyline Aviation Group, Lake Macquarie Credit: Destination NSW
Man enjoying a scenic sunset flight with Skyline Aviation Group over the Lake Macquarie region.
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Skyline Aviation Group, Lake Macquarie Credit: Destination NSW
Man enjoying a scenic sunset flight with Skyline Aviation Group over the Lake Macquarie region.
Naru Beach, Lake Macquarie Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a day of stand up paddleboarding on Lake Macquarie off Naru Beach.
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Naru Beach, Lake Macquarie Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a day of stand up paddleboarding on Lake Macquarie off Naru Beach.
Hit the ground walking
Stretch your legs on one of the many walking tracks meandering along the foreshore of the lake, including the popular shoreline trail that runs from Speers Point Park to Eleebana via the café strip at Warners Bay.
Lace up your hiking boots to tackle the Circuit walking track in Watagans National Park, a short drive from the western shore of the lake – this half-hour circuit takes in a creek, moss walls, sections of rainforest and a dam.
Breathe in the salty air and gaze out at the vastness of the ocean as you follow the Coastal walking track in Wallarah National Park; in winter you’re likely to spot passing humpback and southern right whales.
Head to the bush or the beach
Bring your mountain bike for a day of downhill delights at Awaba Mountain Bike Park, one of the premier tracks in the country. Tackle the Monkey Face downhill track, a technical descent known for being one of the most challenging in Australia, or simply enjoy the main track of this 12km loop on the fringes of Watagans National Park. Make the most of day on the mountain by booking Granted Ride’s shuttle service and be whisked from the main car park to the upper levels of the trails.
Brace for an adventure of a different kind as you take your four-wheel-drive vehicle to the beach for the day. Grab a weekly permit from the Belmont Wetlands State Park website and the stretch of Nine Mile Beach between Redhead and Blacksmiths beaches is yours to explore.
And find yourself a base
After a day of aquatic adventures, retreat to Raffertys Resort, at Murrays Beach between Catherine Hill Bay and Caves Beach. Freshen up in your upscale self-contained cottage before settling into your lakeside seat at the resort’s Cams Wharf Tavern for a char-grilled steak or just-caught seafood.
Rise early in your private beach bungalow at Caves Coastal Bar and Bungalows and catch the sunrise from inside the beach caves at Caves Beach. As night falls, head to the Caves Coastal’s beachside bistro for modern Australian cuisine with endless ocean views.
Or settle into one of the comfortable rooms at Squid’s Ink Motel, on the lakefront side of Belmont, before strolling over to the Belmont 16s Sailing Club for cocktails and elevated Mediterranean-inspired fare at the club’s upscale restaurant Martha Drink & Dine.
Wallarah National Park, Lake Macquarie Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a coastal walk through Wallarah National Park, Lake Macquarie.
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Wallarah National Park, Lake Macquarie Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a coastal walk through Wallarah National Park, Lake Macquarie.
Watagans National Park, Lake Maquarie Credit: Destination NSW
Woman abseiling Gap Creek Falls in Watagans National Park, Lake Macquarie.
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Watagans National Park, Lake Maquarie Credit: Destination NSW
Woman abseiling Gap Creek Falls in Watagans National Park, Lake Macquarie.
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Yoga Room, YambaCredit: Destination NSW
An outdoor Yoga Room class in Yamba on the NSW North Coast — the perfect preparation before a yoga retreat.
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Hoping to switch off and recharge somewhere super Zen? A NSW yoga holiday is just what you need. Located in enlivening natural settings, these five serene retreats offer the perfect getaway for yoga, meditation, and relaxation - delivering wellness benefits that linger long after check-out.
Heart and Soul Retreats, Otford
Nestled in the hills bordering the Royal National Park, just a one-hour drive south of central Sydney, Heart and Soul Retreats is perfectly located for those wishing to take a step back from their busy lives and reconnect with themselves. You can book for as many nights as you like, with room rates including the daily program (two yoga classes, a wellness workshop, and an evening activity), and three delicious vegan meals. You can even purchase a day pass that includes everything but a room. During your stay, you can also explore the expanses of the national park, hike across sea cliffs, and swim at local beaches.
Happy Buddha Retreats, Wentworth Falls
In the Blue Mountains, Happy Buddha Retreats is a yoga and mindfulness experience located in beautiful Wentworth Falls, a 90-minute drive west from Sydney. The all-inclusive retreat offers a range of two-night programs with vegetarian meals and twin-share accommodation, but you can also upgrade to have your own room. The core retreat program, named ‘Inner Joy’, features yoga and inspiring workshops designed to nourish the mind and body and ignite the spirit, with plenty of free time built in to laze by the pool, soak up the bush setting, and find your inner joy.
A Different Drummer, Katoomba
Based in Katoomba, the heart of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, A Different Drummer is a peaceful sanctuary offering gentle escapes for rest and rejuvenation. Their range of retreats invite guests to slow down, reflect, and reconnect - with their popular ‘Exploring Eastern Approaches’ program blending practices like yoga, oriental astrology, and meditation to provide a calming, holistic experience designed to support personal growth and inner transformation across 2 - 3 days in a tranquil bushland setting.
Curracurrong Falls, Royal National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Sunrise at Curracurrong Falls and Eagle Rock in the Royal National Park, Sydney.
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Curracurrong Falls, Royal National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Sunrise at Curracurrong Falls and Eagle Rock in the Royal National Park, Sydney.
Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Wentworth Falls, Leura in the Blue Mountains.
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Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Wentworth Falls, Leura in the Blue Mountains.
Swami’s Yoga Retreat, Sydney
Situated on 24 hectares of bushland and only an hour’s drive northwest from the centre of Sydney, Swami’s Yoga Retreat in Kenthurst offers a range of yoga and wellness classes in its all-inclusive daily program inspired by yoga expert Swami Sarasvati. Yoga classes are suited for all levels, and guests can set their own pace with plenty of time to enjoy the retreat’s facilities, including a tennis court, pool, gym, spa and sauna. Homemade vegetarian meals and herbal tea are provided throughout the day and the retreat is happy to provide recipes for dishes so you can continue your wellness journey at home. Book for as many nights as you like, with massage treatments available as an added extra.
Billabong Retreat, Hawkesbury
Discover inner wellness, increase your energy levels and improve your body’s balance with a stay at Billabong Retreat in the Hawkesbury region. Billabong Retreat runs a variety of programs, including the three-night Yoga Essentials Retreat that runs every four weeks. This retreat features workshops that explore how yoga practices and philosophy offer a path to freedom, plus twice-daily yoga classes and meditation sessions every other day. With a range of treehouses and deluxe cabins overlooking a beautiful billabong to bed down in, unwinding here is easy.
Gaia Retreat and Spa, Brooklet
Tucked up in the Byron Bay hinterland near Newrybar on the far North Coast, Gaia Retreat and Spa is a place to refocus, rebalance and restore your mind and body. Co-founded by Australian icon Olivia Newton-John, Gaia offers retreats from two days and up, which include stylish accommodation, gourmet organic meals, daily wellness activities including morning yoga and treatments at its lush spa, with private additional wellness services also available. Be sure to visit the spectacular Samira Yoga Lookout offering breathtaking views from the Pacific Ocean to the Nightcap Range.
Billabong Retreat, Hawkesbury region Credit: Billabong Retreat
The yoga space at Billabong Retreat, in the Hawkesbury region northwest of Sydney.
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Billabong Retreat, Hawkesbury region Credit: Billabong Retreat
The yoga space at Billabong Retreat, in the Hawkesbury region northwest of Sydney.
Swami's Yoga Retreat, Kenthurst Credit: Swami's Yoga Retreat
A yoga class at Swami’s Yoga Retreat, an hour’s drive northwest from central Sydney.
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Swami's Yoga Retreat, Kenthurst Credit: Swami's Yoga Retreat
A yoga class at Swami’s Yoga Retreat, an hour’s drive northwest from central Sydney.