Belmont

Highlights

Fun on the lake

In Belmont, life revolves around the lakefront, where you can find restaurants and cafes overlooking Australia’s largest coastal saltwater lake. This foreshore is a popular spot for picnics at Green Point Foreshore Reserve, and you can charter a boat or take a tour with Lake Macquarie Sailing Tours.

Fishing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are popular activities – keep your eyes open for the resident dolphins and green sea turtles. Don't miss the Belmont Baths, which feature a 70-metre jetty and a netted swimming area that provides a safe and enjoyable spot for a refreshing dip, especially for those with little ones in tow.

Kids jumping off the Belmont Jetty at Lake Macquarie, North Coast

Belmont Jetty, Lake Macquarie - Credit: The Legendary Pacific Coast

Local beaches

Just a 10-minute drive from Belmont, Redhead Beach marks the northern tip of a stunning 14km stretch of coastline. Patrolled during spring and summer, it’s a favourite for surfers. Head south and you’ll hit Nine Mile Beach, a scenic spot perfect for camping, fishing, and 4WD beach driving (just don’t forget your 4WD permit), and Blacksmiths Beach, home to the Swansea Belmont Surf Lifesaving Club. On the lakeside, Naru Beach offers calm waters ideal for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking.

Friends enjoying a day of stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Macquarie off Naru Beach

Paddle boarding at Naru Beach, Lake Macquarie

Outdoor adventures

Belmont Wetlands State Park is a natural playground for outdoor enthusiasts, home to over 100 bird species, and offering cycling and mountain biking trails. Spanning 549 hectares, the park is made up of a number of diverse ecosystems, including bushland, sand dunes and wetlands. For a unique way to explore the region, join one of CoastXP's Lake Macquarie tours, from thrilling coastline adventures spotting dolphins, seabirds, and turtles, to a breathtaking sunrise whale photography experience.

Natire based tourist company Coast XP, LLake Macquarie

CoastXP, Lake Macquarie

Winding through tranquil bushland, the Fernleigh Track, a former rail corridor, is perfect for a scenic walk or bike ride. Take in lake and ocean views at the 18-hole Belmont Golf Club. At the southern end of Belmont is the air strip, which offers aerial adventure tours that range from skydiving with Skydive Newcastle to helicopter joy flights and aerobatics with Matt Hall Racing.

Man on bike approaching tunnel at Fernleigh Track, Belmont

Fernleigh Track, Belmont - Credit: Lake Macquarie City Council

Where to eat & drink

Relax at Crusoe’s on the Lake, a casual waterfront restaurant at the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club featuring a large outdoor deck overlooking picturesque Belmont Bay. Nearby, Belmont 16s Sailing Club is a community-focused sailing club also boasting scenic views. Meanwhile, Tinta Belmont is a great choice for lunch or dinner, dishing up fresh seafood alongside an extensive wine list highlighting the nearby Hunter Valley region.

Martha Drink & Dine at Belmont 16s Sailing Blub, Belmont, Lake Macquar

Belmont 16s Sailing Blub, Lake Macquarie - Credit: HUNTER hunter

Where to stay

There are waterside accommodation options to suit various budgets in Belmont and surrounds. The pet-friendly Belmont Lakeside Holiday Park is a great pick, offering villas, cabins and lakeside sites for parking your caravan or pitching a tent.

Aerial view of the Belmont Lakeside Holiday Park, Belmont

Belmont Lakeside Holiday Park, Belmont - Credit: Lake Macquarie City Council

Getting there

Belmont is less than a two-hour drive north of Sydney and a 30-minute drive south from Newcastle, making it an accessible getaway for travellers. Follow our guide on the best stops between Sydney and the Hunter Valley to make a road trip of your journey. Public bus services also connect to Belmont.