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, sailing, and stand-up paddleboarding are popular activities on the lake. Keep your eyes open for some of the resident dolphins and green sea turtles. To round out your visit, 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 in Lake Macquarie. 

Paddle Boarding, 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 beach 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 relaxation and family days. 

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 features diverse ecosystems, including bushland, sand dunes, and wetlands. CoastXP provides guided lake cruises that include an adventure boat tour of Lake Macquarie, a 2km bushwalking tour, a catered lunch, a focus on local marine life, geology, Aboriginal heritage and unique landmarks. 

CoastXP, Lake Macquarie

For those seeking a leisurely 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 that offers dining, entertainment, and special events. Tinta Belmont provides a vibrant atmosphere for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving fresh modern Australian seafood and cocktails.  

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

Where to stay 

There are waterside accommodation options to suit various budgets. You can stay at the pet-friendly Belmont Lakeside Holiday Park, which offers villas, cabins and lakeside sites for parking your caravan or pitching a tent. This relaxing, island-like atmosphere is ideal for water lovers.  

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.

Belmont Wharf, Lake Macquarie