About Lake Macquarie
Location
Lake Macquarie City is located on the east coast of Australia, in the Hunter Region of NSW, with access to a range of products, services, and transport networks.
- 90 minutes north of Sydney, and 2 hours drive from Sydney’s international airport
- 10 minutes from Newcastle, 30 minutes from the Port of Newcastle, and 40 minutes drive from Newcastle airport
- 40 minutes from Hunter Wine Country and the Central Coast
Population
Lake Macquarie is the fastest growing city in the Hunter, and one of the largest cities in New South Wales.
- Estimated residential population of 202,347 as at March 2012
- The fourth most populous city in NSW, and in the top 7% in Australia for largest growth in a city
- Accounting for 37% of the Lower Hunter population
- Population distributed around the lake in over 90 communities. The median household income is $922 per week, with the most significant change between 2001 and 2006, a growth in the highest income group of $93,032 and over.
- Approximately 40% of the population hold educational qualifications, with the most significant change between 2001 and 2006, a growth in the number of people with bachelor or higher degrees
- Population is expected to grow by 60,000 people between 2006-2031 creating demand for 36,000 new dwellings and 12,200 new jobs
Landscape
Surrounded by beautiful beaches, mountains, and the ocean, Lake Macquarie offers a picturesque backdrop to work, live, and play.
- The centrepiece of the city Lake Macquarie is a lake about twice the size of Sydney Harbour, recognised as one of the largest coastal saltwater lakes in Australia.
- The lake has 174 kilometres of foreshore providing little sandy lake beaches, hidden coves, and secluded bays.
- On the western side of Lake Macquarie, the Watagan Mountains incorporate 13 forests, and numerous lookouts, picnic spots, camping areas, and magnificent waterfalls.
- To the east of Lake Macquarie, four patrolled beaches stretch over 10 kilometres of coastline.
Lifestyle
Lake Macquarie's natural playground allows bushwalking, picnicking, camping, and abseiling in the Watagan Mountains; surfing or fishing on any of the beaches; and waterskiing, sailing, or fishing on the lake.
- Our relaxed town centres and villages offer arts, crafts and boutique shopping.
- Our two major retail centres offer favourite chain stores and national brands.
- Lake Macquarie's world-class sporting facilities include:
- Hunter Sports Centre at Glendale, recognised for Olympic-standard training and competition, and
- BMX track at Argenton, which stages National Titles and provides training for Olympic teams.
- Sporting events staged throughout the year include the Loop the Lake Bicycle Challenge and the Lake Macquarie Games. Our majestic lake is home to many world sailing events.
Business and Industry
Lake Macquarie has a diverse industry base which helps to shield the city from economic crisis (GFC), by reducing our exposure to negative external shocks, volatile growth, and economic cycles.
- Lake Macquarie has over 12,000 businesses, predominantly small to medium size.
- Approximately 2,000 businesses enter the market each year.
- Home business generates $1.5 billion per year for the city.
- The town centres of Glendale and Cardiff generate as many jobs as Newcastle CBD, in excess of 15,000 people.
- Leading industries as a proportion of employment include health and community services, retail trade, and manufacturing. Together these industries employ over 30,000 people.
- A move to smart business in the city with growth in the knowledge and technology based sector
Employment
- Lake Macquarie has a labour force of 104,483 people, the largest in the Lower Hunter
- Lake Macquarie's unemployment rate of 4% is the lowest in the Lower Hunter
- 71% of jobs in Lake Macquarie are filled by Lake Macquarie residents
Things to do
- Explore the sea caves and rock pools of Caves Beach or swim and surf at historic Catherine Hill Bay
- Walk or cycle the Fernleigh Track, a popular heritage corridor
- Enjoy the Red Bluff Walkway or let the kids run wild at the Lake Macquarie Variety Playground, voted the ‘Best Play Space in Australia’ in 2011
- Enjoy the current exhibition at Lake Macquarie Art Gallery or stroll through the sculpture garden. Visit the former residence and studio of world-renowned artist, Sir William Dobell, at Wangi Wangi's Dobell House.
- Enjoy a musical or theatre production at the Lake Macquarie Performing Arts Centre.
- Explore the Watagans National Park and bushwalk to waterfalls and spectacular lookouts
- Take a leisurely stroll or bicycle ride along one of the city's many off-road pathways and take in some magnificent scenery along the way.
- Follow the Green Point Centenary of Federation Heritage Trail to view archaeological evidence of the region's original inhabitants, the Awabakal tribe.
