For a fun family day out, head to Myuna Bay Rest Area. There is plenty to do with kids at Myuna Bay located on the western side of Lake Macquarie. There you can enjoy a play or picnic at a lakeside playground, swim in the lake and go for a walk and spot turtles too.
The area consists of the Myuna Bay Rest Area and Myuna Bay Trail.
Myuna Bay Rest Area
Myuna Bay Rest Area is a great place to get back to nature, have a picnic, splash in the lake and take your dog for a walk. If you have little ones, be prepared to keep an eye on your kids as there are no fences in this rest area.
You could easily enjoy a morning or afternoon here. It is a very popular destination on weekends for large groups to relax together and enjoy water sports.
Myuna Bay is quite sheltered from the wind and has a shallow shoreline, a perfect paddling place for young kids and dogs alike. Stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and inflatable toys cover the bay on warm days.
Because it is so shallow, the water is often a pleasant temperature and you can feel confident recreational boats will not come too close to kids swimming on the shoreline.
There is an unfenced playground on woodchips close to the lake. It has a slide, small rock-climbing wall and climbing frame, swings and seesaw.
There is a covered electric BBQ and 2 picnic tables next to the playground.
The reserve stretches all the way to the Scout Camp and there are ample flat grassed areas to accommodate several groups without overcrowding, and plenty of trees give shade.
However, the toilets, bins, tables and chairs, and BBQ are only located near the playground. There is also a disabled toilet and disabled parking spot located next to the toilets.
Myuna Bay Trail
From the playground, an easy 15-minute walk takes you along the reserve to the Eraring Power Station Outlet Canal. This is not a sealed walk but it is fairly flat.
Once you cross a white bridge, be aware that you are walking through a Scout Camp.
Please keep to the track to the right and keep dogs on lead for this section of the walk.
Once arrived at the Outlet Canal, you can see the fast water flowing.
Please note there is no swimming in the canal, and boating activities are prohibited here.
However, it’s a great place to spot turtles, rays and birdlife.
Take the time to watch for turtles coming up for air.
Fishing is allowed at certain times of the day, but no night fishing. This is a popular fishing spot with a fish cleaning bay. Toilet facilities and cement picnic tables are also found here.
Good to know
You often see turtles in the canal. Myuna Rest Area, Reserve and walk are dog friendly.
What to bring: Picnic blanket, chairs, water and food, swimmers and towel, kayak, stand up paddleboards and furry friends.
Distance: 15 minute easy walk on flat ground, but no sealed paths.
Getting there: Located on the shores of lake Macquarie between Wangi Wangi and Dora Creek, Myuna Bay Rest Area is just off Main Road, Myuna Bay, NSW. Parking can be found at the playground just off Main Road, and ample parking located on a dirt track beside the park, this is preferred when bringing picnic gear, water sports equipment like kayaks/standup paddleboards as it has closer access to the water.
Closest Boat Ramp: Dora Creek – 274 Dora Street, NSW
Jess Day is the Founder of Spotto Books, a series of books for kids to use in the car to stop boredom. She has published 13 books in this series.
Jess is widely travelled and of all the beautiful locations within Australia, she chose to bring her 2 children up in the Hunter Region. Jess enjoys the outdoors, camping, photography and playing Spotto.