Customer service update

Our Customer Service Centre is temporarily located at Speers Point Library, opposite Council's Administration Building.

Float Your Boat

Next date: Friday, 20 June 2025 | 04:30 PM to 08:30 PM

Lake Macquarie’s iconic fluorescent flotilla is set to brighten local shores and spirits when the family favourite ‘Float Your Boat’ parade returns in June 2025. Rug up and head on down to the shores of Lake Macquarie to watch boats in a rainbow of colour cruise past in the flotilla parade and be vying for the Mayors’ Choice Award and Newcastle Permanent’s People’s Choice Award for best light display.

You can join in on the family fun at one or at all three live sites which include live music, roaming illuminated performances, entertainment, children's activities and food trucks.

Friday 20 June 2025

Check out the live site at Toronto foreshore from 4.30pm – 8.30pm

The flotilla will travel from Empire Marina to Toronto, Coal Point and Wangi Wangi.

Saturday 21 June 2025

Choose between two live sites located at Warners Bay Foreshore and Brooks Parade Belmont with the action from 4.30pm – 8.30pm

The flotilla will travel from Belmont to Valentine, Eleebana, Warners Bay, and finish at Empire Marina.

Float your boat with us

We are aiming to have flotilla the length of 30 boats and we need you.

If:

You own or have access to a boat a minimum of 5m in length and maximum of 18m.

Are over 16 years old and your boat is driven by a captain with a current RMS boat licence.

You have a creative bent (or access to someone who does)

You would love to spend two beautiful nights floating around our lake (Friday 20 June – Saturday 21 June)

Register to enter and join us for an experience you won’t forget!

You can check out the image gallery from last year here for some inspiration.

Find out more and register now

Vote for the winner

The winner of the Newcastle Permanent People’s Choice Award for best light display – is decided by you – the community! You will be able to cast your vote for your favourite design, online from Friday evening June 20 until Sunday 29 June 2025 at 11:59pm.