Australia

Chasing sunsets at Lake Macquarie

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With summer here and the days growing longer, there has never been a better time to catch some magical sunsets as the sun and fluffy clouds paint the sky at dusk.

Only a short 90-minute drive from Sydney, NSW’s hidden coastal gem Lake Macquarie boasts some of the state’s most idyllic spots to watch the sun go down, most of which you won’t have to share with another soul.

Here are some of the best places to chase sunsets by the Lake.

Speers Point Park

Pack a picnic and head to Speers Point Park. This huge park is one of lovely Lake Macquarie’s many outdoor highlights. While you sit back with your favourite picnic snacks, the kids can enjoy the huge, award-winning Variety Playground. This grassy getaway wraps around the shores of Lake Macquarie, making it the perfect spot to watch the last rays shine out over the Lake.

Belmont

Sunset at Squids Ink Jetty, Belmont on Lake Macquarie.

Didn’t have time to pack a picnic? Lake Macquarie Yacht Club in Belmont is a local hot spot for overwater dining while watching the fading sunlight bouncing off the sails of passing yachts. Offering a generous variety of fresh seafood dishes – including fresh blue swimmer crabs, tiger prawns, rock oysters, squid, prawns and house battered fish fillets – the Yacht Club is a must-visit when in Lake Mac.

Redhead Bluff

Redhead Beach, a coastal suburb of Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia with shark tower just before sunrise, pretty pastels

Perch yourself high overlooking Redhead Beach to catch one of Lake Mac’s best sunsets. Enjoy the sun slowly sinking behind the mountains as the crashing blue waves – favoured by surfers – rumble onto the sandy shores of the beach below. It’s a special moment to witness first-hand – giving the feeling that everything is moving in slow motion – there really is nothing quite like it.

Lake Macquarie

Sunset at Valentine, Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia

Step aboard Lake Macquarie Cruises’ Lady Mac for a three-hour sunset and dinner cruise along the picturesque foreshore of Lake Macquarie. Begin the night with a drink in hand from the licensed bar while nibbling on mouthwatering appetisers and take in the view as the sun slowly slips behind the peaks of Watagan Mountains, engulfing the sky in a pink and orange glow. Once the sun has disappeared, a BBQ main meal will be served featuring fresh local prawns, a variety of gourmet salads and a selection of petit fours desserts with complimentary tea and coffee.

You might think city sunsets are pretty until you escape to Lake Macquarie… where you’ll discover a truly picturesque painted sky. At this hidden gem destination, you really are spoilt for choice of where to watch the sky fall into night. No matter where you are in Lake Macquarie, it’s a magnificent sight.

For more on Lake Macquarie visit visitlakemac.com.au  

  • Redhead Beach, a coastal suburb of Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia with shark tower just before sunrise, pretty pastels
  • Sunset at Valentine, Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia
  • Setting sun on the horizon at Belmont, view from the jetty.
  • Sunset at Squids Ink Jetty, Belmont on Lake Macquarie.

Kate Webster

Kate Webster is the founder and owner of Captured Travel Media. She is a world traveller, ocean lover and conservation warrior who is determined to make every moment count for not only herself, but the world around her. An editor and travel journalist, Kate travels the globe in search of vivid imagery and compelling stories that capture the essence of the people and places she visits. She is a passionate conservation advocate, sustainable traveller and always travels with reason and cause.

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