Warners Bay Foreshore

1 115 votes

Anchored by an eight-kilometre shared path, Warners Bay’s waterfront blends artisan cafés, weekend markets and sunset cycle rides in one laid-back strip. Paddleboard before work, grab gelato after dinner, then watch twilight over the lake—all just 15 minutes to Charlestown’s major retail.

2

Cameron Park Plaza

998 votes

This new neighbourhood centre beside the M1 delivers full-line groceries, gyms, medical suites and drive-through coffee in one stop. Easy parking makes errands painless, while the adjoining tavern and playground turn a quick shop into a social catch-up for families in booming Cameron Park estates.

3

Wyong Hospital

490 votes

Fresh from a $200-million upgrade, Wyong Hospital now offers expanded emergency, maternity and rehabilitation wings, supporting more than 2 000 local health jobs. Reliable, recession-proof employment underpins steady rental demand in surrounding suburbs, while residents gain big-city care without the lengthy commute.

4

Avondale University

310 votes

Nestled among towering gums at Cooranbong, this faith-based university hosts around 2 000 students in nursing, teaching and business programs. Campus concerts, open-air cinemas and sports carnivals inject youthful buzz into nearby streets, keeping cafés humming and landlords smiling year-round.

5

Lake Munmorah

297 votes

The northern-most lake in the chain tempts anglers, sailors and sunset kayakers with glassy sheltered waters. Shaded picnic lawns, safe swimming coves and bushland trails mean days out cost little more than a packed lunch—one reason families crowd local listings whenever they appear.

6

Bonnells Bay Foreshore

268 votes

Boardwalks wind past boat ramps, leash-free parks and waterside barbecue shelters, making Bonnells Bay a weekend magnet for paddle-boarders and coffee-caravan devotees. Its gentle aspect over Shingle Splitters Point means sunrise breakfasts are practically a daily ritual for locals.

7

Speers Point Park

220 votes

With NSW’s largest regional playground, lakeside festivals, and an off-lead dog beach, Speers Point Park turns “something for everyone” into lived reality. Sunday farmers’ markets spill local produce, and the lakefront cycleway links directly to Warners Bay’s café strip just five minutes away.

8

John Hunter Hospital

215 votes

The region’s flagship tertiary hospital and trauma centre employs more than 6 500 staff across research labs, specialist clinics and a rooftop helipad. Easy access via the Newcastle Link Road keeps Lake Macquarie West residents within 20 minutes of world-class care and well-paid healthcare careers.

9

Avondale School

185 votes

This independent K-12 campus shares extensive ovals with its university neighbour and offers acclaimed music and outdoor-ed programs. Strong waitlists translate to consistent demand for family rentals within the leafy Cooranbong catchment, boosting investor appeal.

10

Tuggerah Lake

184 votes

Fringed by bike tracks and wetland bird hides, this coastal lagoon invites sailing regattas, prawning nights and leisurely foreshore strolls. Residents enjoy cooling sea breezes yet remain minutes from the retail powerhouse of Westfield Tuggerah and the Pacific Motorway.

11

Trinity Point Marina

173 votes

Morisset Park’s luxury marina precinct delivers 188 berths, a five-star hotel under construction and a waterfront restaurant already pulling sleek launches from Sydney. Property here rides a prestige wave, offering lakefront living without the Harbour City price tag.

12

Watagan Park

169 votes

Cooranbong’s master-planned estate blends bushland walking tracks with fibre-optic broadband and a future neighbourhood centre. Bigger blocks, quiet cul-de-sacs and mountain backdrops lure second-home upgraders seeking backyard cricket space plus fast M1 access for the Sydney commute.

13

Mannering Park

142 votes

Known for its sailing club and calm sandy swimming spots, Mannering Park offers a relaxed holiday vibe 45 minutes from Newcastle CBD. Local cafés, a waterfront pub and cycling paths mean weekend fun is sorted without leaving the suburb.

14

West Wallsend High School

140 votes

Sitting beneath the Sugarloaf Range, this comprehensive high school boasts modern STEM labs, strong rugby league programs and easy bus links to surrounding villages. Its large catchment drives steady buyer interest in Edgeworth and Cameron Park family homes.

15

Cooranbong Public School

121 votes

Celebrated for its kitchen-garden initiative and close-knit community, this primary school sits just a scooter ride from Avondale Village shops and sports ovals. Parents praise the leafy campus and friendly drop-offs, making nearby cottages hot property.

16

Watagan National Park

101 votes

Ancient rainforest, fern-lined creeks and panoramic cliff-top lookouts sit 15 minutes west of Cooranbong. From 4WD adventures to glow-worm night walks, the Watagans satisfy every nature itch without the long road trip—perfect for active families and weekend warriors.

17

Toronto Foreshore

96 votes

Cafés spill onto Victory Parade’s footpaths, live-music punts cruise the lake, and the heritage wharf ferries day-trippers across sparkling water. Toronto’s village heart mixes holiday buzz with everyday convenience, just ten minutes from the M1 interchange.

18

Sugarloaf State Conservation Area

94 votes

Dominated by Mount Sugarloaf’s 412-metre summit, this bush reserve dishes up picnic areas, hang-glider launch pads and challenging mountain-bike climbs. The lookout’s sunrise views of Lake Macquarie to the Pacific reward early risers with Instagram-worthy panoramas.

19

Redhead Beach

123 votes

Patrolled surf, rust-red cliffs and the photogenic Shark Tower make Redhead an all-season drawcard 25 minutes from western lakeside suburbs. Dog-friendly zones and seaside cafés turn morning swims into relaxed brunches, adding coastal spice to inland lifestyles.

20

Awaba Mountain Bike Park

89 votes

More than 15 kilometres of groomed single-track wind through spotted-gum forest, hosting state downhill championships and social “bike ‘n’ brew” nights. Trailhead parking, picnic shelters and nearby servo coffee make it easy to squeeze an hour’s adrenaline between school drop-off and dinner.

Area Hotlist — Lake Macquarie - West NSW