Lake Macquarie Favorite Tips by iandsmith

Green Point walks

Favorite thing: The Green Point you can walk today is a result of a protracted battle over nearly 70 years that commenced when 400 hectares was at stake. In the end, 152 hectares were set aside as Green Point Foreshore Reserve after protracted negotiations with a developer who wanted to set up a major tourist complex and marina but ultimately was conceded 66 hectares for residential development only.

There are three main walking access points into the reserve: the end of Dilkera Avenue at Valentine, The Shores Way at Belmont and Green Point Drive behind Belmont Hospital.

Fondest memory: So you can walk one of the variety of walks, my favourite being the one along the foreshore. There’s also a bike track that takes you through the easterly section of the park on a concrete shared path.
The amount of wildlife is perhaps surprising considering the reserve’s proximity to housing and relatively small area but there’s definitely no shortage of birds, one of which I’ve been fortunate enough to see and that is the powerful owl. This predator is at the top end of the tree and feeds on possums and smaller creatures. It’s a large impressive bird and appropriately named.
I’ve also spied the scarlet honeyeater, lewin’s honeyeater, silvereye, red browed finch, numerous parrots, chestnut teal, magpies, mynahs, whip birds and others I’ve forgotten.
The bushland at Green Point features much native flora and fauna, adding interest to the walk. The flora includes open forests of Spotted Gum, Grey Gum, White Mahogany and Forest Red Gum. There is also remnant Littoral Rainforests. These areas provide habitat for native fauna including the Ring-tail Possum, Squirrel Glider and Sea Eagle. All this is easily encountered on the established walking trails throughout the reserve and improved access to the rainforest by a constructed boardwalk to preserve the area for the future.

Green Point background

Favorite thing: The Green Point that exists today is a mixture of good luck, good fortune and a determined populace.
Situated between Belmont and Valentine on the eastern side of Lake Macquarie, this natural waterside strip of vegetation is today a popular natural walking spot with a wonderful mix of flora and fauna.
However, back in the 19th century it was a different story entirely and the interpretive signs tell many an interesting tale like the shipbuilding that started in 1872 by David Cummings but both he and his business partner met untimely deaths and it closed just two years later having completed one schooner called Mary Warner for the local coal trade.
It re-opened and survived as a timber mill under various owners until the 1890's when the timber became scarce.
Coal mining also had a fleeting presence here under the name Cardiff Coal Company in the 1860s but poor quality boiler coal and difficulty of getting ships in and out of the lake led to its early closure.

Fondest memory: The Green Point you can walk today is a result of a protracted battle over nearly 70 years that commenced when 400 hectares was at stake. In the end, 152 hectares were set aside as Green Point Foreshore Reserve after protracted negotiations with a developer who wanted to set up a major tourist complex and marina but ultimately was conceded 66 hectares for residential development.

Lake Macquarie Art Gallery

Favorite thing: Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery is a quality cultural and tourist destination. Located on prime land on the shores of the lake, the gallery precinct features of an award winning purpose-built gallery, sculpture park, mosaic pathway, expansive leafy grounds (ideal for picnics), and historic Awaba House Restaurant Cafe. The latter was once resided in by one of my teachers at the nearby high school which was then named Booragul but today is named Lake Macquarie High because apparently there was stigma attached to the previous name. I hadn't realised I'd caused that much trouble during my years there!

Opening Hours: The Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and selected public holidays. Admission is free.

Fondest memory: From the publicity blurb -
"Lake Macquarie is unique amongst regional galleries in Australian due to its location and quality of programming. The gallery has received many national, state, and regional awards in tourism and Indigenous programming.
The gallery prides itself on hosting an exciting and changing program of nationally significant touring exhibitions alongside exhibitions featuring the work of the Hunter’s finest artists.
The contemporary craft outlet features many locally and nationally respected craftspeople. An ideal place to buy handcrafted ceramics, glass, textiles, art journals, books, catalogues, greeting cards, artist packs, and novelty items.
The major focus of the collection, including the works in the sculpture garden, reflect our unique location – Still Waters Clear Visions. We are also the custodians of a number of works by well-known Australian artists, including Sir William Dobell. "
I have to add that the restaurant is often booked out, I suspect due to the location because the food is only average in my opinion, having eaten there on four occasions and hoping it would have improved but it hadn't. It's palatable and the service is good though.