Lake Macquarie and Newcastle by caravan: A lake, sea caves and a reinvented city

Lake Macquarie is the largest coastal saltwater lake in Australia — twice the size of Sydney Harbour — sitting about 160 kilometres north of Sydney and just south of Newcastle.

It's a place built around the water, which makes it a great caravanning destination. Foreshore parks ring the lake, there's sheltered water for swimming and paddling, and plenty of opportunities to slow down and enjoy the lakeside pace.

Better still, much of the region is within a 30-minute drive, while Newcastle sits right on the doorstep.

I based myself at Wangi Wangi, on the quiet western shore, and set out to make the most of a spot that offers the best of both worlds: quiet lakeside mornings and city culture, all within easy reach. Here's how.

The park manager, Jo, told me the walks are one of Wangi Wangi's highlights — including one that climbs to a set of World War II command posts on top of the hill.

You don't have to go far here to bump into history. During the Second World War, this stretch of coast was on high alert, with lookouts and gun posts positioned along the headlands.

I found the old command posts tucked into the bush above the lake — rundown and in ruins now, but an interesting reminder of the area's wartime past. It's also a good way to stretch the legs after a long drive, with views back over the water along the way.

Lake Macquarie isn't just about the lake — the beaches are every bit as appealing, and Catherine Hill Bay, or 'Catho' as the locals call it, is a favourite.

It's an old coal-mining town, with miners' cottages still standing and the remains of an old coal-loading jetty reaching out into the surf. Coal was shipped from the jetty until 2002; today it's a beautiful place to spend a few hours — have a swim, take a wander and grab a coffee, with more than a century of history as the backdrop.

A trip away can't be all coffees and swims, so I got the bike out.

The Fernleigh Track is a flat, easy rail trail with an industrial past. It started life in the 1880s as a railway hauling coal to the Newcastle wharves, ran its last train in 1971 and was later transformed into a shared cycling and walking trail.

Today, the track stretches 15.5 kilometres between Lake Macquarie and Newcastle — tunnels and all. It's flat, sealed and family-friendly, making it an easy way to explore more of the region on two wheels.

At the northern end of the lake sits Newcastle, a city whose history is closely tied to coal and industry.

Scratch the surface, though, and there's plenty more to discover. One of its most distinctive landmarks is the Bogey Hole, an ocean pool cut into the rock by convicts around 1819.

Newcastle today offers a very different experience, with harbourside bars, laneway cafes and surf beaches all within easy reach. Best of all, it's close enough to Lake Macquarie to easily combine the two in one trip.

I'd walked around the lake and driven around it, but a body of water this big is begging to be explored from a different perspective.

With around 110 square kilometres of water, there's plenty of room for kayaks, paddleboards and boats — and on the right morning, the whole thing can turn to glass.

It's also popular fishing territory, with flathead, bream and whiting among the species found in the region and plenty of beaches and breakwalls along the coast to throw a line from.

One more for the list — and this one runs on a timetable.

At the southern end of the lake, where the sandstone meets the sea, waves have carved a network of sea caves and tunnels into the cliffs.

Caves Beach is named for exactly what you'd hope: caves that can be explored when the tide drops far enough to allow access. Time your visit for low tide and you can wander through the caves and explore this distinctive stretch of coastline for yourself.

Having the caravan as a base makes exploring the region easy. My JB Gator X is compact enough to tow around comfortably, while still giving me a proper bed, kitchen and hot shower at the end of the day.

And that's part of the appeal. The van gives me a base from which to explore the beaches, bush tracks and little corners of the region I might otherwise miss.

Rather than staying in one spot, you can set up camp and use it as a launch pad for whatever the day brings — whether that's exploring the lake, heading for the coast or spending a day in Newcastle.

Lake Macquarie and Newcastle make an easy pairing for a caravan trip, combining quiet lakeside stays with beaches, bush tracks, history and city attractions.

Base yourself by the water and there's plenty to explore within easy reach — exactly the kind of trip Beyond the Map: NSW Unhitched is all about.

Getting there: About 160km — or under two hours — north of Sydney, with Newcastle on the region's northern edge.

Where to stay: Reflections Wangi Wangi, on the western shore of Lake Macquarie.

Best time to go: Winter for quieter stays and fire pits, or year-round for the lake, city and beaches.

Don't miss: The WWII command-post walk, Catherine Hill Bay, the Fernleigh Track, Bogey Hole and Caves Beach

Related: Central Coast by caravan: Lighthouses, coastal walks and fresh oysters