Local Attractions

Lake Macquarie

The magnificent Lake Macquarie that is four times bigger than Sydney Harbour, provides the ideal playground for a holiday escape. In addition to its lake and other waterways, Lake Macquarie offers a great variety of activities and experiences, which add up to the perfect getaway.

Lake Macquarie attractions include:

• Watagan Mountains for a variety of walking trails, picnic spots and lookouts with excellent views over the region
• Cooranbong arts and craft centre, shops and galleries
• Luncheon, dinner or coffee cruises on lake vessels
• Dobell House at Wangi Wangi was the home of renowned Australian artist, Sir William Dobell
• The Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery at Booragul, on the shores of Lake Macquarie, with changing exhibitions, a cafe, sculpture garden and picnic area
• Sailing events at Lake Macquarie Yacht Club and the Belmont 16ft Sailing Club
• Walking paths at the lake's foreshore at Speers Point Park or Warners Bay
• Mining village of Catherine Hill Bay
• Awabakal Nature Reserve above Dudley Bluff
• Charlestown shopping complex within walking distance of The Panorama Motor Inn

Wine Country

Hunter Valley Wine Country attractions include:

• Hunter Valley Wine Country festival calendar, for a feast of entertainment among the vines
• Hot air balloon rides over the vineyards
• Numerous vineyards and restaurants including the legendary restaurants of Robert's at Pepper Tree, Chez Pok at Pepper's Guest House, the Casuarina, The Cottage and The Cellar Restaurant
• Four-wheel drive treks into the mountains and rain forests of the Watagan State Forests
• Tandem skydiving excursions
• Galleries and specialty shops such as Butterflies Gallery and Peppers Creek Antiques
• Hunter Valley Gardens
• Excellent golf resorts including Cypress Lakes and the Vintage
• The Golden Door Health Resort & Spa

Port Stephens

Port Stevens attractions include:

• Scenic dolphin watch cruises on the glorious waterways of the Port- over 160 resident dolphins
• The massive sand dune systems of the 30km long Stockton Beach, the largest coastal and dune system in Australia
• Koalas in the wild along the tree lined banks of Tilligerry Creek
• Snorkelling or diving to explore sea caves, walls, and sponge gardens and a number of  wreck dives
• Theme parks, local arts, crafts and museums
• Sea- kayak tours or jet boat rides
• Fishing adventures for the thrill of a big catch
• Tanilba House, Sketchley Cottage and Tomago House historic visits

Hunter River Country

Hunter River attractions include:

• Maitland Gaol guided tours, torchlight tours, ghost hunts, scary sleepovers and other spooky activities
• Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council community centre at Metford
• Tiger Moth trips from Rutherford Airport 
• Hot air ballooning rides from North Rothbury
• Craft galleries and antique stores of Morpeth
• Tocal Homestead, where convict buildings date from 1822
• Richmond Vale Railway and Mining Museum
• Devonshire tea and get up close and personal with llamas at the Camelot Lavender and Llama Farm at Wallarobba.

Newcastle

Newcastle attractions include:

• King Edward Park in the city's eastern area, with panoramic views of the ocean, sunken gardens and smooth green hills
• Pacific Park at the top of town
• Newcastle foreshore park
• Civic Park with its eye-catching gardens and fountain.
• Many restaurants at Honeysuckle, Darby St, The Junction and Hamilton's cosmopolitan Beaumont St
• Fun days at the Wetlands Centre at Shortland
• Hands-on activities The Newcastle Regional Museum
• The Newcastle Region Art Gallery in Laman St has a permanent collection of Australian art and ongoing visiting exhibitions
• Superb beaches and harbour cruises
• Stockton Ferry for another view of the harbour
• Ocean baths at Newcastle or Merewether
• Harbour landmark Nobbys Breakwall
• Walk, jog or bicycle ride along the harbour foreshore
• Walks or bike rides at Glenrock Lagoon 
• Workout at one of the many gymnasiums