An aquatic wonderland anchored by a rich, cultural history, Lake Macquarie and its waterways will woo all who travel here.

Mirror-like water stretching twice the surface area of Sydney Harbour instantly softens the eyes. But while the stillness of Lake Macquarie’s waterways holds me, the cathartic value in nudging ripples through its expanse is undeniable. It suddenly makes sense that the region’s magnificent marine playground is awash with around-the-clock activity.

Lying south of Newcastle, 90 minutes’ drive north of Sydney, Lake Macquarie stretches from the northern suburbs of Speers Point, Booragul and Warners Bay. Running 24 kilometres long and covering about 110 square kilometres, it is the largest coastal saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere. And its popular timber wharf just got an upgrade.

While the wider city encompasses more than 90 suburbs and villages, the lake is fringed by Toronto, Rathmines and the Wangi Wangi peninsula along its western shore, stretching down toward Morisset in the south-west. There, the 1.8-kilometre Wangi Circuit walking track shines as one of the most magical foreshore trails in the region. Getting out on the water is even more thrilling, especially with one local tour operator that runs nightly kayak expeditions in fully transparent, rainbow LED-lit vessels. Keep reading to discover some of the top things to do in Lake Macquarie.

Take a kayak tour at night

Outperforming any regular glass-bottom boat tour with serious disco flair, Showtime Kayaking’s Naru Beach Night Kayak Tour offers pure exhilaration, while giving you the chance to stickybeak at nocturnal marine life, such as stingrays and puffer fish. While we’re talking wacky ways to splash about, the Showtime team also run Glide Rides at Marks Point, which puts day-trippers on pedal-powered catamarans to marvel in the scenery while simultaneously nailing leg day. If you’re a fur parent, its Paws & Pedals tour gets your four-legged buddy aboard, too.

Sleep on the lake

Once you’re enveloped in Lake Macquarie’s glassy beauty, returning to dry land is tough. Cue another top way to make the most of your surroundings: floating overnight accommodation. Toronto’s Apache Rose Houseboats has decked out its Nanya vessel in the plushest of fashion, building eskies into two decks and adding a stainless-steel barbecue, fully equipped kitchen and bedding for up to 10 people. There’s even a dinghy for hard-to-reach exploring. Silver Sun Sailing will also help you wake with the lake through overnight yacht charters launching from Belmont. The stylish bungalows at Caves Coastal (from $219 per night) are also dreamy romantic retreats with decks that extend over a natural coastal lagoon.

Creative Lake art trail

Dry land will eventually rope you in, but only before Lake Macquarie’s creative spirit sends you soaring again. Fringed by art galleries, sculpture trails and multi-arts immersions, the lake stirs the imagination, luring passionate artisans. The Creative Lake art trail runs along five kilometres of foreshore between Speers Point, Warners Bay and Eleebana; spanning bronze carvings inspired by local marine life, stainless-steel homages to the region’s idyllic scenery and a sculpture that even served as a 2013 Wynne Prize finalist, the trail is full of unique expressions. For more standout art, Booragul’s Museum of Art and Culture yapang – known as MAC yapang – showcases some of the state’s most acclaimed contemporary works right by the water.

Mawambul cultural experience

To gain a deeper understanding of Lake Macquarie’s heritage and its Traditional Custodians, the Awabakal people, join Mawambul for a three-hour guided cultural experience. The team’s Swansea Heads session is a standout, as it throws a spotlight on the origin of native coastal plants, ocean-born stories and ancient remains, including ochre pits and fossilised trees.

Enjoy seafood on a waterfront deck

When bellies rumble, lakeside dining options impress. Serving seafood freshly pulled from the water you’re perched upon, 8 at Trinity sets up outdoor tables on a deck overlooking a shimmering marina at Morisset Park. In Toronto, the views from Emerson’s on the Lake are just as arresting and are best accompanied by a selection of its most refined seafood dishes. As the sun blazes over one of NSW’s most intoxicating bodies of water, life does not get any sweeter.

Tours and accommodation prices

Showtime Kayaking’s Naru Beach Night Kayak Tour starts from $119 per person. Glide Rides’ tours start from $70 per person. Apache Rose Houseboats’ rates start from $1000 for two midweek nights. Silver Sun Sailing rates start from $400 per night. Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalow rates start from $219 per night. For Mawambul’s education sessions, enquire on the Mawambul website.

Discover more local Lake Macquarie secrets.