Holiday houses in Swansea Heads

Set on a peninsula surrounded by Lake Macquarie on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, Swansea Heads is the kind of sun-kissed beach destination where you’ll arrive and potentially never find a reason to leave. Swathes of sand await to be used as a base for swimming, snorkelling, and surfing. Try Swansea’s own Hams Beach or neighbouring Blacksmiths, Caves, or Nine Mile beaches for varied water conditions. Also beckoning are the calm waters of the lake itself, an immense body of water with 174 kilometres (108 miles) of shoreline. The real allure of this part of the state is the diversity of its offerings: cosmopolitan cities are within easy reach, while hinterland rainforest and national parkland promise cool playgrounds for outdoor enthusiasts who prefer to stay dry.

With water the major attraction here, it comes as no surprise that peak season at Swansea Heads is during Australia’s warmer months. While no lifeguards patrol Hams Beach, they monitor a number of others around the lake from the September/October school holidays through summer, to April: try Blacksmiths, Catherine Hill Bay, Caves Beach, and Redhead. Cooler weather and changing seasons welcome hikers with wildflowers in September through November, and whales, which migrate along the coast from May through November and are a common sight from lookouts along the Swansea Peninsula.

Lake Macquarie

The largest saltwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere, covering an area more than twice the size of Sydney Harbour, Lake Macquarie is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. Swim, surf, cruise, kayak, or explore on a stand-up paddleboard; then lace up your hiking shoes, and trek through rainforest to hidden waterfalls. When it’s time to gain some perspective on this vast watery wonderland, head into the air on a scenic joy flight from the petite local airport (YLMQ).

Newcastle

Newcastle may be Australia’s second-oldest city and the busiest sea port in New South Wales, but it still offers plenty of laid-back charm and coastal charisma. Drive just 30 kilometres (19 miles) north from your base to shop and dine in atmospheric precincts, then swim in historic ocean pools, surf epic waves, and hike coastal trails while on the lookout for resident dolphins.

Worimi Conservation Lands

One of the biggest attractions — quite literally — on the North Coast of New South Wales is the protected reserve of Worimi Conservation Lands, home to the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Bring your stamina and sense of adventure to explore the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes on quad bikes, atop sandboards, or with an Aboriginal guide in your company to showcase the region’s fascinating history and bush tucker (native edible plants).