Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Lake Macquarie

"Blackbutt Reserve is 182 hectares of natural bushland just outside the city, that offers a haven of nature trails, outdoor activities and treetop walkways, as well as the chance to get up close and personal with some of Australia’s most famous wildlife. The exhibits include koalas, kangaroos, wombats and possums, as well as an array of fantastic bird life in the trees above. A great family day out."

"At Blackbutt, you can participate in a reptile show and interact with some slimy and scaly friends, or witness one of the awesome feeding demonstrations including Wombat feast, bird brunch, nocturnal nourish, and koala dining. Kids can also feed emus by hand, complete the activity pack, or play at the playground suitable for 6-10-year-olds with interactive musical features. More information here."

"South of the city centre, this magnificent, wide stretch of sand has excellent surfing conditions and is the home strand of the legendary Aussie surfer Mark Richards. At the southern end is a huge sea pool."

"Is the Hood Milk Bar Newcastle’s answer to Arnold’s from Happy Days?. Whatever day of the week, it’s happy days here at this retro inspired milk bar. Come straight from Merewether or Bar Beach for gelato thick shakes, triple scoop waffle cones or pimp your cone with chocolatey goodness from the Nutella fountain."

"If the kids are old enough to sit still for more than 10 minutes, they’ll love the retro inspired Hood. Grab a cosy booth and order dishes like corn fritters or fried chicken burgers from the all-day menu. It’s the desserts however which are the standout here."

"I’ll tell you, I thought Darby Street was the way to go for amazing cafes. I mean it has it all, food, coffee and they also have very nice (but very expensive) shops surrounding the street. Despite this, The Junction surprised me in the best of ways."

"Connolly Park is a cute little playground in the harbourside suburb of Carrington that’s perfect for a play and a picnic. It’s ideal for yournger kids with small climbing equipment with a slide and a set of swings (regular and baby). Put this on your list for toddler-suitable playgrounds!"

"At Sephardim, they believe that it takes more than excellent food to have an outstanding meal. While their Spanish, Moorish, Turkish and Middle Eastern inspired cuisine is exquisite, they also focus on attentive customer service and an intimate atmosphere. Be prepared to enjoy your meal at a slow pace with banquets lasting up to 2-3 hours."

"Sephardim is a small and intimate Mediterranean meze bar on the shores of Lake Macquarie. They not only have a whole menu dedicated to serving vegan food (which you can view here), they also offer a vegan banquet option for groups."

"A pure vegetarian and vegan café managed and run by volunteers. Their various activities make up the branches of the Bhakti Tree – pure vegetarian and vegan food at their café in Mayfield or at University of Newcastle through the student vegetarian club, yoga, kirtan (mantra-meditation), philosophy discussions, cooking classes, catering etc. A welcoming community, a place to share a meal and make friends!"

"The Bhakti Tree also offers a delightful vegan dining experience. They are committed to helping people from all walks of life. To do this, they promote a healthy diet paired with a healthy lifestyle."

"100% vegan and cruelty free café, located in the quiet streets of Minmi. They’ve gained a pretty dedicated following since opening in March 2016, and you’ll understand why when you taste their food/drinks. They even donate 100% of their tips to the heroes over at Sea Shepherd."

"Located nearby on Wharf Road, Signal Box makes the most of Newcastle’s Victorian railway heritage. Today this decommissioned signal box is a contemporary space that serves excellent fare from breakfast through to dinner and nods to its industrial past with ample use of steel and concrete, and a steel spiral staircase that leads to the rooftop with views out over the harbour."

"A happy indoor-outdoor venue that had just opened at the time of research and brings new life to the former railway signal box near the waterfront. Eggs, avocados or garlic mushrooms are among the breakfast... Spanish in Newcastle"

"Brought to us by foodie fans, Nick and Rebecca, the duo met at a pub in Newtown back in 2011, looking for a career change the couple took on Chester White Cured Diner in Potts Point before heading north to Newcastle. Encouraged by good friends and fellow restauranteurs Mike and Brendan of The Falcon and The Ship Inn, Nick and Rebecca opened Lock’s Paddock. The menu is focused on charcuterie and pork and a whole lot of theatrics."