Lake house
Welcome Letter
Welcome To LAKE HOUSE
Thank you so much for choosing our home for your next holiday! We cannot wait to have you stay with us! GETAWAYZ is NSW’s highest rated holiday rental agency, and we pride ourselves on making sure all our guests have the best possible experience!
If you need anything at all throughout your stay, please feel free to contact us anytime on:
guests@getawayz.com.au
We monitor this email 7 days a week, from the hours of 8am to 6pm.
Any complaints or problems - every effort has been made to ensure that you have an enjoyable and memorable holiday. If, however, you have any cause for complaint it is important that remedial action is taken as soon as possible. It is essential that you contact us if any problem arises so that it can be speedily resolved. It is often extremely difficult (and sometimes impossible) to resolve difficulties properly unless we are promptly notified.
About Murrays Beach and surrounding areas
Murrays Beach is a small New South Wales Rural Location within the local government area of Lake Macquarie, it is located approximately 92kms from the capital, Sydney covering an area of 2.422 square kilometres. Murrays Beach has a recorded population of 637 residents and is within the Australian Eastern Daylight Time zone Australia/Sydney.
The beach is beautiful and the village is occupied by holiday and residential houses mainly. It's an ideal place to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city or escape from the crowded beaches nearby.The Beach is sheltered from the southerly winds by a protruding headland, which can be great. The beach also has its own secret sea cave to explore!
-
Lake Macquarie, or Awaba, is Australia's largest coastal saltwater lake. It is twice as large as Sydney Harbour and is one of the largest saltwater lagoons in the Southern Hemisphere. Located in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, it covers an area of 110 square kilometres (42.5 sq miles) and is connected to the Tasman Sea by a short channel. Most of the residents of the City of Lake Macquarie live near the shores of the lake.
-
Aboriginal people of the Awabakal nation have lived in the Lake Macquarie area for more than 8000 years. The name Awabakal is derived from the Lake, meaning people of the calm surface. Traditional art and shell middens can be found around the Lake, evidence of a nation who thrived on the area's rich shores and woodlands.
-
The first European to discover the lake was Captain William Reid. In 1800, Reid sailed his 30- tonne schooner Martha into the narrow entrance, at what is now Swansea, mistaking it for his intended destination of the Hunter River.
It was only when he arrived back and returned to Sydney that Reid discovered his error. Until 1826, the Lake was known as Reid's Mistake, then it was officially changed to honour Governor Lachlan Macquarie. The name of the southern headland of the entrance to the lake is now known as Reid's Mistake. Reid's Mistake by renowned local historian Keith Clouten contains the first reliable and connected account of the early years of European settlement in the Lake Macquarie region.
Captain Reid's discovery sparked little interest in Sydney. No further exploration took place for 20 years, partly because of the difficulty of getting overland to the area across rugged rocky unexplored terrain, but largely because King's Town - as Newcastle was known in those times - was a penal settlement, which authorities wished to keep isolated.
It was only after pressure from free settlers eager to move into the Hunter Valley that the days of settlement began.
In 1913, the Lake Macquarie Land Company donated land at the corner of Main Road and Council Street, Speers Point, for a Council Chamber. On 30 June 1914, Council accepted a tender from Messrs Southon and Waller worth £2,299 for the construction of a Shire Office and Council Chamber.
The Council Chamber was first used for the Council meeting held on Saturday 8 May 1915, and the building was officially opened on 6 June 1916.
-
Lake Macquarie was proclaimed a shire on 16 May 1906.
The shire's first local election was conducted on Saturday 24 November 1906, when the community elected six Councillors to represent three ridings - namely "A", "B" and "C".
The first elected Council held its initial meeting at the Teralba Court House on Saturday 8 December 1906.Councillor Sydney Croudace was unanimously elected President for the remaining term of that Council, which extended until 1 February 1908. The Presidential allowance was fixed at £50 a year.
The Shire of Lake Macquarie was proclaimed as a municipality from 1 January 1977 and became a city on 7 September 1984.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
-
Enjoy spectacular beaches and myriads of water activities. Discover our favourite things to do here and nearby.
Located in an old mining village, Catherine Hill Bay Beach is unspoilt and quiet. The large coal- loading jetty is an icon.
Caves Beach is perhaps the most famous stretch of sand at Lake Macquarie due to the series of caves you can explore.
Just north of Swansea Channel, Blacksmiths and Redhead beaches mark both ends of the long Nine Mile Beach.
-
Lake Macquarie is a playground for kayaking, water skiing, boating, kite surfing, paddle boarding, jet skiing and sailing.
There’s probably no better way of enjoying Lake Macquarie than by staying on a houseboat. Find out where to hire a houseboat here.
If you want to bring your own watercraft, plenty of boat ramps are around the lake. Alternatively,
you can hire a boat, kayak or SUP at this location.
-
Caves Beach is a famous beach at Lake Macquarie. There are many sea caves along the coastline you can explore.
Make sure you time your visit with the tides – the caves can only be accessed at low tide. Caves Beach is also wonderful for swimming, surfing and relaxing. Click here to find out more about Caves Beach.
-
A paradise for children and adults alike!
Lake Macquarie Variety Playground at Speers Point Park is the best and biggest Playground between the Central Coast and Newcastle. It's not only an excellent playground for kids of all ages and abilities, but it's also a fantastic picnic area with a cafe beside it.
This playground is definitely worth the car trip to get there, and it's also worth spending several hours with family and friends. Find out more about Lake Macquarie Variety Playground here.
-
Looking for an adrenaline-filled activity? Get the thrill of your life at Skydive Australia at Belmont Airport.
Jump from a plane and take in the spectacular postcard views of Lake Macquarie and its stunning beaches.
This will no doubt be a terrific and memorable experience. Find out more about skydiving at Lake Macquarie here.
-
Lake Macquarie is a fishing heaven. You can catch dusky flathead, bream, yellowtail kingfish, whiting and luderick in the Swansea Channel. More fish species can be caught at other locations.
Other fantastic fishing spots include Shingle Splitters Point, Belmont Bay, Speers Point Jetty, he Swansea Bridge, Pelican foreshore, Pulbah Island, Valentine Boat Ramp, Murrays Beach foreshore, Croudace Bay and Green Point Foreshore Reserve.
-
Explore Lake Macquarie aboard the “M.V. Lady Mac” with a newly refurbished interior and alfresco sun deck.
-
The Fernleigh Track is a great shared path built on a former railway line.
Enjoy 15 km of easy cycling / walking on a paved pathway through peaceful bushland and wetland between Adamstown and Belmont. Running through the forest, the track is away from the crowds and very peaceful.
-
The Pink Caves in Munmorah State Conservation Area are worth visiting to see the gorgeous glowing orchid-coloured rocks.
Note: The Pink Caves can only be accessed safely when both tide and swell are low. Check the conditions.
To get there, park along Hooey Street in Catherine Hill Bay and follow the beach access trail to Mooney Beach. Then walk on the rock platform around the headland for about 800-900 metres.
-
Like art exhibitions? Visit Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie. You’ll also appreciate the café, retail shop, Sculpture Park and mosaic pathways. The gallery is situated within 5 hectares of land on the shore of Lake Macquarie.
-
Watagans National Park is close to Lake Macquarie yet feels so remote. Enjoy a day out in nature – bushwalk, camp, or visit a lookout. Walk to a superb waterfall along Gap Creek Falls track or experience a section of the Great North Walk. It's also a fun place for four-wheel driving.
-
Naru Beach is a small, delightful stretch of sand on the shore of Lake Macquarie. A perfect family beach since the water is shallow.
Enjoy swimming, fishing and boating. So relaxing! On a sunny day, Naru Beach looks just like a tropical island. Drive along the bumpy, unsealed Naru Street in Lake Macquarie to get there.
-
Between June and November each year, more than 35,000 adult Humpback Whales travel from the Antarctic to warmer waters to mate and give birth, then return to the Antarctic with their calves.
The Lake Macquarie coastline has excellent spots to watch migrating whales. The best viewpoints are Redhead Bluff, Awabakal Viewpoint, Caves Beach Coastal Walk and the Ken and Audrey Owens Walk.
RESTAURANTS & CAFES
Mawson Restaurant
3/5 Mawson Close, Caves Beach NSW 2281
From Mawson Restaurant:
‘The Mawson restaurant experience has been designed to celebrate the relaxed coastal location and deliver a casual fine dining experience. Grab a coffee while you check out the waves or relax while you explore the menu of contemporary Australian cuisine from locally sourced produce. Plenty to choose from to help all the family/ or fussy friends. We are also pet friendly and have a nice view of the water. We have a large space to host special occasions, events and functions. When planning your next outing think Coffee at the Mawson, Wine at the Mawson, Breakfast at the Mawson, Lunch at the Mawson, Dinner at the Mawson or Seafood at the Mawson. Meet you at the Mawson.’
The Lakehouse Waterfront Dining
1 Wild Duck Drive, Cams Wharf, Adjacent to Rafferty’s Resort
With magnificent water views of Lake Macquarie, The Lakehouse Cafe is the perfect location for any occasion. It is set on Lake Macquarie where you can enjoy walks along the waterfront and the children can have a great time at the adventure playground and explore nature in a tranquil setting. The Lakehouse Cafe has a relaxed feel with a contemporary interior design.
The Yoga Place Café
6 Mitti Street, Blacksmiths NSW
From The Yoga Place Café:
"The Yoga Place Cafe is a mission to promote wellness and community, one bite at a time. Serving a delicious wholefood vegan menu in a garden setting. We are passionate about sharing sustainability and kindness with our community"
Some 5 star reviews:
"Great tasting vegan food, nice place, service is really good and friendly."
"The staff were super friendly and AJ gave me snorkel recommendations in the area."
"Tasty, friendly, funky little cafe in a quiet side street."
Mandarin Restaurant
116 Pacific Highway, Swansea NSW
One reviewer had this to say:
‘Best Chinese I've had in ages. Combination Chow Mein was devine. Special fried rice is the best I’ve ever had with lots of ham, prawns, peas, bean shoots, pork and the San Choy Bow was scrumptious.’
OWNERS PICK!
Cozzie’s Café
106A Pacific Highway Swansea
Here are some reviews:
Fast/friendly service.
Food was great, we had the lamb souvlaki on the specials board. Would definitely come back!
Need a Christmas gift Cozzies Cafe have a beautiful display of local handmade genuine crystal, sterling silver and gold filled jewellery by Earth n Spirit. Drop in for a coffee and check it out. Beautiful gifts for your special someone