Belmont

Fun on the water 

In Belmont, life revolves around the lakefront where you can find restaurants and cafes overlooking Australia’s largest coastal saltwater lake. This foreshore is a popular spot for family picnics at Green Point Foreshore Reserve, and you can charter a boat or take a tour with Lake Macquarie Sailing Tours. 

Fishing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are popular activities – keep your eyes open for the resident dolphins and green sea turtles. Don't miss the Belmont Baths, which feature a 70-metre jetty and a netted swimming area that provides a safe and enjoyable spot for a refreshing dip, especially for those with little ones in tow.

Paddle boarding at Naru Beach, Lake Macquarie

Local beaches 

A 10-minute drive from Belmont, at the northern end of a 14 km stretch of coastline, is Redhead Beach. Patrolled during spring and summer, this stretch of sand is an excellent spot for surfing. Between Redhead and Blacksmiths in the south lies the stunning Nine Mile Beach, which is ideal for fishing and exploring in a 4WD. Additionally, Naru Beach Reserve offers another idyllic waterside hideaway for a relaxing family day out.

Swimming at Naru Beach, Lake Macquarie

Outdoor adventures 

Belmont Wetlands is a natural playground for outdoor enthusiasts, home to over 100 bird species and offering cycling and mountain biking trails. Spanning 549 hectares, the park is made up of a number of diverse ecosystems, including bushland, sand dunes and wetlands. CoastXP provides guided lake cruises that include an adventure boat tour of Lake Macquarie, a two-kilometre bushwalking tour and a catered lunch, as well as a focus on local marine life, geolog and Aboriginal heritage. 

CoastXP, Lake Macquarie

For those seeking a bit of adventure, the Fernleigh Track provides an excellent opportunity for walking or cycling through peaceful surroundings. Additionally, the park offers 4WD access to Nine Mile Beach, perfect for beach driving enthusiasts.   

Fernleigh Track, Belmont - Credit: Lake Macquarie City Council

Take in lake and ocean views at the Belmont Golf Club, an 18-hole championship links course that is spectacularly positioned over greens, ocean and lake. At the southern end of Belmont is the air strip, which offers aerial adventure tours that range from skydiving with Skydive Newcastle to helicopter joy flights and aerobatics with Matt Hall Racing. 

Skydive Sydney - Newcastle, Belmont - Credit: Skydive Australia

Where to eat & drink 

Relax at Crusoe’s on the Lake, a casual waterfront restaurant at the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club. It features a large outdoor deck overlooking picturesque Belmont Bay, where guests can enjoy a variety of delicious meals while taking in stunning views and beautiful sunsets. Nearby, Belmont 16s Sailing Club is a community-focused sailing club also boasting great views. Meanwhile, Tinta Belmont is a great choice for lunch or dinner, dishing up fresh seafood alongside an extensive wine list highlighting the enarby Hunter Valley region.

Belmont 16s Sailing Blub, Lake Macquarie - Credit: HUNTER hunter

Where to stay 

There are waterside accommodation options to suit various budgets. The pet-friendly Belmont Lakeside Holiday Park is a great pick, offering villas, cabins and lakeside sites for parking your caravan or pitching a tent.

Belmont Lakeside Holiday Park, Belmont - Credit: Lake Macquarie City Council

Getting there 

Belmont is less than a two-hour drive north from Sydney and a 30-minute drive south from Newcastle, making it an accessible getaway for travellers. Public bus services also connect to Belmont.