With overseas travel in 2020 off the agenda because of Covid-19 we decided to spend a few days exploring our own backyard and spend a few days driving around the lakes of the Central Coast and Mid-north Coast. This video capture some of the beauty of the three major lakes between Sydney, Newcastle and Nelson Bay. Not quite the Lakes District of Cumbria in the UK, but nevertheless a lovely area to visit while supporting local businesses and tourism.
Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens are two of the largest salt water lagoons in the Southern Hemisphere
Lake Macquarie covers an area of 110 square kilometres (42.5 sq mi) and has a shore length of of 174 km. Its average depth is 8 metres.
Port Stephens is a tidal drowned-valley estuary and outlet of the Karuah River. The shore length is 113 km with an average depth of 14.1 metre. It is a natural harbour
The Tuggerah Lakes (Tuggerah, Budgewoi and Munmorah) is a system of three interconnected coastal lagoons with a perimeter of 105 km. The depth of the lakes is an average depth of less than two metres.
The three lakes are a natural sanctuary and breeding grounds for a large number of bird species. Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens are popular fishing spots.
Tuggerah Lakes and Lake Macquarie are within commuting distance of Sydney and many people have settled in the area and travel to work in Sydney by by rail and road. Housing is more affordable and lake-side living is certainly more serene. The result, though, is the foreshore of the lakes have been built-up with private residences. Port Stephens is considerably more remote and a popular with retirees. The coast is more rugged and the beaches less crowded.
