Dear Editor (otherwise read: whoever will listen),
I’m new to Sydney, but I’ve found one of your secrets, Lake Macquarie.Like a kid in a scavenger hunt, I’ve clocked up plenty of kilometres getting lost, yet all with good intention – to find the ultimate place to relax.
When I was told this place had a population of about 200,000, it was a tough figure to comprehend. That many people where I come from equates to a big city.
Even tougher was that the lake is four times the size of Sydney Harbour. Where I come from a lake is place to make mud cakes after a couple of days’ rain.
But take the drive around the Lake Macquarie waterfront and it all starts to make sense.
Dotted around the huge varsity of water lie about 30 townships, and plenty of houses – most with boats, because that’s what Lake Macquarie folk do. They fish, swim, ski, jet boat, sail. If there’s water involved, they’re into it.
So when in Rome as they say, what better way to discover a place than to mix it with the locals?In fact, I was originally going to write this letter to Stefan – you know, the hairdresser guy who littered the television years ago with that catchy “Discover yourself” tune, and spent his spare time racing speedboats.
Well, I reckon he’s not so tough after all. Sure, he might have survived a speed boat accident or two, but I’ve done Jet Buzz and it really isn’t that difficult.
An awful lot of fun, but not that hard. The rules are simple. Count to three, hang on, spin the boat out of control at high speed, and get very, very wet.
Jet Buzz owner Simon Burn saw plenty of jetboats buzzing around Sydney Harbour and thought it a good idea to take a similar project to the growing, if not yet thriving, tourist mecca of Lake Macquarie.
His boat is named the Cheeky Bee and holds up to 13 people who experience slides, turns, 360-degree spins, power-brake stops and fish tales – all at high speed.But equally eye-opening are the views of the townships which sit alongside the lake.
It seems this is where the rich people come to live and the rest of us come to holiday. There are stunning houses and spectacular scenery.
But it’s not all about water. Some of Sydney’s finest restaurateurs have seen fit to also escape the rat race, and taken their skills with them.Dining at Lake Macquarie often matches the high quality demands of the big city, at times without the price tag.
In fact, I was originally going to write this letter to multi-award winning television chef Luke Mangan to tell him high-brow dining was somewhat over-rated.
Lake Macquarie News Business Awards winner Quackers Steak and Seafood Restaurant is one example where booking in advance is essential, and the food superb.
Eating is one way of slowing down the pace. Another equally enjoyable way is to head up to AAA Horse Riding at Cooranbong and idle through some mixed terrain.
In fact, I was originally going to write this letter to horse trainer extraordinaire Bart Cummings to suggest I might be ready for a ride in next year’s Melbourne Cup.
Weight, however, might be an issue.
And if school owner Wayne Hegarty’s “fair to average assessment” of my riding skills was accurate – oh, forget it.
Now, how can one get a fair crack at the big time on a female horse – yes Wayne, I know that would be “filly” (I’ve studied the racing form) – named JD. Yes, as in Jack Daniels. Need I say more.
If you can handle Wayne’s jokes, this is a perfect escape. And if 60 days with their doors closed due to equine influenza is any reason to support these friendly animal lovers, saddle up folks!
Country hospitality here is the key. Vanessa Vallack-Hegarty (that’s Wayne’s wife) is passionate about her industry, passionate about her animals, and passionate that people who enter their home’s gates are given a great horse riding experience.
For general Lake Macquarie tourism tips, go to www.visitnsw.com.au. Jet Buzz is at www.jetbuzz.com.au and AAA Horse Riding is at www.aaahorseriding.com.au.Simon Holt was a guest of Tourism New South Wales.
For more travel stories, go to www.manlydaily.com.au.
Share Lake Macquarie experiences by leaving a comment below. What secrets do you feel worth discovering around Sydney? Where do you escape?
