Getting around

Published on 11 June 2024

Home | Let's Lake Mac

Only an hour and a half north of Sydney on the M1, Lake Macquarie is double the size of Sydney Harbour. Whether you need to travel to NSW’s capital city for regular meetings or just want to explore lakeside suburbs with ease, our public transport system has you covered. 

In addition to driving, there are plenty of safe, fast and affordable options to take you from A to B. Because a shorter commute means more time to enjoy the local activities you love, from surfing and boating to shopping and dining.

Whether by rail, road, or shared pathway, navigating our vibrant city is easy. Keep reading to discover the best ways to get to and around Lake Macquarie - no car required.

By bike or on foot

Lake Macquarie is home to an extensive network of off-road shared pathways for cyclists and pedestrians. 

The Booragul to Belmont cycle route runs through Speers Point, Warners Bay, Eleebana and Valentine. This features the Red Bluff Shared Pathway, an elevated boardwalk with vistas over the lake. Soak it all up on your stroll or cycle.

Another awesome shared pathway? The 2.5km Speers Point to Glendale shared pathway follows Cockle Creek and runs alongside Waratah Golf Course. Ultimately linking up with the Wallsend Rail Trail, it connects Lake Macquarie cyclists to bike routes that lead straight to Newcastle!

Meanwhile, the 13km Cooranbong to Morisset route connects our city’s southwest suburbs. Weaving its way through Avondale University, over Dora Creek and into Victory Parade, it then crosses the train line at Morisset before joining the Fishery Point Road shared pathway. Keep going to make your way to Bonnells Bay and Brightwaters! 

To top it off, the Fernleigh Awaba Shared Track is set to be completed soon. This game-changing shared pathway will link the end of the Fernleigh Track at Belmont with Blacksmiths Beach. That means a 27km active transport route from Murrays Beach all the way to Adamstown!

By train

The Central Coast and Newcastle Line stops along western Lake Macquarie throughout the day and evening. 

Need to travel around Cardiff, Boolaroo, Teralba, Booragul, Fassifern, Awaba, Dora Creek, Morisset or Wyee? They all have train stations. 

By bus

CDC NSW buses operate on routes across west Lake Macquarie. On the eastern side, Newcastle Transport runs buses between areas such as Charlestown, Belmont and Swansea. 

Newcastle Transport also offers an On Demand bus that collects you from a specified point and drops you at a designated spot close to your destination - all for the same price as timetabled services. 

Check whether it covers your local area and book on the app.

 

By plane

Coming from another city or state? You can fly directly to Newcastle Airport from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra. Australia’s sixth-largest regional airport in Australia is only a 30-minute drive from the lake. Simply hop in a taxi or hire a car for this final leg.

Alternatively, opt for a super local landing or take off at Lake Macquarie Airport. Available for private corporate charters only, you’ll find this convenient airstrip at Marks Point - and fly you anywhere in Australia from Lake Macquarie. 

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