Renowned for their whale-watching tours departing from Newcastle Harbour, CoastXP has launched a brand new summertime experience, complete with a guided boat tour, bushwalk, and picnic lunch, so you can take in all the beauty of Lake Macquarie and its surrounds. 

 

The accredited quality and sustainable tourism business has expanded their list of marine-experiences, now offering a Nature and Wildlife Tour from November - May.

For many of us, Lake Macquarie is part of the furniture of our local region; we catch glimpses of its glassy, grey-blue depths and its mangrove-lined shores as we cross the Swansea Bridge, and we might have fond memories of fishing, kayaking, or camping on or around it.

However, its uniqueness can sometimes be taken for granted, overshadowed by the stunning beaches that also symbolise our area.

For Dom, CoastXP founder, Lake Macquarie is a remarkable feature of our local region, worthy of celebration. Sharing information about its geological origins, ecological significance and Indigenous, colonial, and maritime history, his passion for exploration of, and immersion in, the area is infectious.

Some fun facts:
Lake Macquarie is the largest permanent saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere, and scientists estimate it is approximately 130,000 years old, with its plains flooding in the last ice age, when the ice caps melted. Since then, it has been a site of Indigenous and industrial significance.

Throughout World War II it was home to a flying boat base school, which Catalina Bay locals still commemorate through an annual Flying Boat Festival. Its diverse, fascinating history is complemented by the serenity of its wide, island-studded bays, positioning it as a perfect destination for a day trip this summer.

The Nature and Wildlife Tour begins on Pelican Foreshore, where you’re invited a board CoastXP's custom built rigid inflatable vessel which offers unobstructed 360° views, allowing you to absorb the scenery while your guides point out key highlights and landmarks, including some of the lake’s largest islands (Elizabeth, Pelican, and Spectacle).

The first stop on the tour is at Wangi Peninsula, where you’ll disembark and walk the Wangi Circuit Track through Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area.

The walk is two kilometres, and is easy and scenic; sunlight filters through the canopy of gums as you wind your way out to a lookout where some of the most idyllic, panoramic views of the lake unfold. Keep an eye out for the abundant birdlife, and if you’re lucky you may even spot a koala!

After working up an appetite, jump back on board and cruise over to Dobell Point where you’ll be invited to relax on a picnic rug while enjoying views of Pulbah Island Nature Reserve, and tucking into your sweet and savoury grazing box provided by local caterers, Picnique Collective.

CoastXP’s Nature and Wildlife Tour is designed to connect you with the Hunter Coast’s exceptional natural landscapes in comfort. All you need to do is pack your water bottle, sunscreen, hat and camera, throw on your walking shoes to enjoy a special half-day on the water amongst Lake Macquarie’s bays, beaches, and islands.

CoastXP Nature & Wildlife Tour

Where: Pelican Foreshore, 5 Lakeview Parade, Pelican
When: November - May
Duration: 4 hours
Cost: $140 per person, lunch included
Time: 10am
To book a tour or find out more visit CoastXP.com.