Morisset

Morisset is a great gateway to the secluded trails and paths that crisscross the Lake Macquarie region. Bushwalk to the pretty Gap Creek Falls in the Watagans National Park, camp beneath the stars or kayak around beautiful Lake Macquarie, Australia’s largest coastal saltwater lake.

The town is on the western foreshore of Lake Macquarie, which has the bush in its backyard. Find a patch of shade for a picnic in Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area where you can spot kangaroos and other wildlife. The saltwater lake is a haven for sea turtles and dolphins and you might see sea eagles and kookaburras, too.

The calm waters around Morisset are also ideal for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, two of the exciting ways to enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Macquarie. Bring your own kayak or paddleboard or hire one from Lake Mac Kayak and Bike Hire, a mobile hire service that delivers equipment seven days a week.

Boating and fishing are popular pastimes in Morisset, too. There is an abundance of fish in the lake and you can launch a boat from the ramp north of the picnic area. There are many places to cast a line from the shore along the lake where keen anglers converge to catch bream, tailor, flathead, kingfish and more.

Watagans National Park is a popular destination for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, 4WD touring and camping. At Gap Creek campground you’ll find a walking track to the waterfall. There are picnic tables, barbecue facilities and other amenities at the campground, which is about 20 minutes’ drive northwest of Morisset.

Drive to Monkey Face Lookout and marvel at the Watagans Mountains, which help form the jagged spine of the Great Dividing Range. A short drive away is Boarding House Dam picnic area, located in a lovely temperate rainforest next to a picturesque creek and dam, and the Circuit track, sections of which are carpeted in moss.

Morriset is a 1hr 45min drive north of Sydney and just under an hour from Newcastle. Trains also run to Morriset or you can fly into Newcastle Airport from Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Accommodation in the area includes motels, houses to rent, B&Bs, holiday parks and campgrounds.