Charlestown

The largest town in the Lake Macquarie region, Charleston is a great base to explore surrounding villages, shimmering blue waterways and the beautiful Glenrock State Conservation Area. Home to Charlestown Square, the largest shopping centre in the Hunter region, it is also located close to Newcastle.

Waterfront exploration

Charlestown is flanked by the charming township of Warners Bay, where a shared path alongside the shimmering blue lake is perfect for walking, cycling and rollerblading. The 9km route between Lions Park in Eleebana and Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery in Booragul is part of a network that loops around the lake.

Dolphins can also be seen frolicking in Lake Macquarie, Australia’s largest coastal saltwater lake, which is a popular waterway for sailing, kayaking, fishing and stand-up paddle-boarding. You’ll discover the gorgeous sands of Redhead Beach and Blacksmiths a quick drive southeast of Charlestown.

Glenrock State Conservation Area

A short drive east of Charlestown, Glenrock State Conservation Area is a place to relax on empty beaches, pedal along picturesque mountain bike trails and hike through deep-green rainforest to find waterfalls. There are vantage points along the way for spotting whales as they migrate along the coast between May and November.

Scenic walks

Yuelarbah Walking Track is part of the Great North Walk that stretches all the way from Newcastle to Sydney. This 6.8km-return trail winds through gullies and rainforest and past two waterfalls to arrive at Glenrock Beach. The track twists and turns to Leichhardt’s Lookout at the halfway point, offering magical district views.

Leggy Point is another great walking trail that ushers you along a 2km loop to Elvis Rock to reveal show-stopping coastal vistas and top spots for whale watching. The track meanders through forests of banksia, acacia, spotted gum and ironbark trees, and displays pretty blooms of yellow donkey orchids in spring.

Walk along the Burwood Trail to the heritage-listed Burwood Colliery, which dates back to 1861. Along the way you're likely to hear the call of bellbirds and spot the distinctive bright yellow markings of the male regent bowerbirds. The 1.5km-return walk along the Burwood Trail links to Glenrock Beach.

Getting there & where to stay

Charlestown is just over two hours’ drive north of Sydney and 20min from Newcastle. You can also take the train from Sydney to Newcastle and transfer via bus, which takes around 3hr 15min, or fly into Newcastle Airport. Accommodation options include motels, apartments, campgrounds and holiday parks.