Newcastle area sights

[iceman (Mike)]

This is mainly for Ed, h0ughy and the other novacastrians..

On May 8, it's mothers day and my daughters (abbey's) 1st birthday.. Wanting to take the family on a picnic someone up the coast between the Central Coast and newcastle.

What nice picnic spots are there along that coastline, with a park or lookout or something close to the beach?

I was thinking somewhere around swansea, belmont, but maybe further south like Catherine Hill Bay.

Ideally it should have swingsets etc to keep the kids occupied for more than 10 minutes

Appreciate any suggestions you have.

[Orion]

There are a few places to look at.
I some times take the family down to lake Munmora national park there are some areas in the park near the beach and it is very picturesque, just get a map at the gate and have a drive through I think it is $6 to get in. (Unfortunately there is not much in the way of kids activities)

In Swansea there is a kids park right next to the channel with a nice walk way. Just turn left before you get to the bridge.

Further down in Belmont south on the left is a park with swings right on the water with picnic tables and bbqs very nice area.(It might be the pick of the bunch) and you can go down to Warners Bay after wards for a walk along the lakes shore as the sun set.Beautiful!

[iceman (Mike)]

Sounds great Ed, thanks for the tips. I'll check them out.

[h0ughy (David)]

Yes belmont south is a great spot, as well as little pelican by the lake and play equipment (near boat ramp). Also may wish to think about Warners bay area, the forshore of the lake as you can walk around it (6km) of shared concrete cycleway and spears point has good play equipment and a long jetty to throw off the kids. Ah I mean somewhere for the kids to explore!

Ah its just paradise here???!!

[iceman (Mike)]

ok belmont south it is, this sunday.. How do you get there? Where do you turn off from the Pac Hwy?

But can you do something about the weather? I was hoping to do a bit of this..

[rowena]

An absolutley beatiful place is Seal Rocks(just south of forster). probably one of the best beaches in NSW! Shhhhhh don't tell anyone!

however, I don't know if there are any BBQ facilities around the area!

Rowena

[h0ughy (David)]

Iceman,

If you go to belmont south there is no cover. There are some BBQ's and a few tables. The Pacific Highway passes right by it, there is a take away opposite the lake. Signs you are getting close to the area are the mobil service station on your left, then the fishermans warehouse, then shell service station further up the road to your right and the turn off to the caravan park on your left and then a brokerage for boats then you are there. There is a car park on your left before cold tea creek. Oh I forgoit to say take the doyalson exit off the freeway and head to swansea and just follow your nose!


You might be better off going to warners bay, where you can walk around the lake and take the bikes for the kids to use on the cycleway?

[iceman (Mike)]

Didn't make it all the way to Belmont.. driving up the pacific hwy and saw the turnoff to Catherine Hill Bay, and decided to check that out. Nice beach and wharf there.. it was raining when we arrived so we had the picnic in the car.. but by the time we'd finished lunch the rain and stopped and we were able to go for a walk with the kids along the beach.

nice spot.

[h0ughy (David)]

lets see , did you see the extinct coal loader for the ship?
the graveyard?
Catho pub?
the grafitti on the road?
the locals with two heads?
the Exorbitant property prices for a ticky tacky dwelling?
the lack of public streetlighting!!


Hope you enjoyed yourselves!