Wangi Point bushcare
Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area
Overview
Do you live near Newcastle and want to help preserve the local environment? Volunteer for bushland restoration in Lake Macquarie State Conservation area. You’ll be protecting coastal foothills and spotted gum forest from being overtaken by weeds.
- Work
- Bush regeneration, weed and pest management
- When
Currently not accepting applications.
- Grade
- Medium
If you’re looking for a reason to enjoy the serenity of the NSW Central Coast while contributing to your local environment, this is the activity for you.
We’ll meet at the end of Reserve Drive, in the Wangi Wangi precinct of Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area to embark on our bush regeneration journey.
Over the years, volunteer teams have successfully kept weed infestations to a minimum. Together we’ll extend these efforts and work to keep rubbish, lantana and bitou bush weeds from overtaking the area.
Join in to meet with like-minded people and engage with your local community to improve the habitat for native plants and wildlife. All while enjoying Australia’s very own bush backyard on the NSW Central Coast.
Some gardening knowledge is useful, however training is provided either from the group convenor or national park staff.
Remember to bring:
- Closed shoes
- Long sleeve clothing
- A hat
- Sunscreen
- A raincoat
- Lunch and snacks
- Drinking water
- Gardening gloves
Tools and a hardhat are supplied.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/volunteer-activities/wangi-point-bushcare/local-alerts
Park info
- in Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area in the Sydney and surrounds and North Coast regions
Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area is always open but may have to close at times due to extreme weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Wangi Point bushcare.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
For Morisset Park, Myuna Bay and Wangi Wangi:
- Take the F3 motorway south from Newcastle or north from Sydney and the Central Coast, and take the Morisset/Mandalong Road exit.
- For Morisset Park, turn right at Fishery Point Road and continue along the road as it becomes Morisset Park Road until you reach Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area.
- For Myuna Bay and Wangi Wangi, take Mandalong Road through Morisset as it becomes Dora Street, then Macquarie Street. The road will become Wangi Road as you cross Dora Creek. Follow it along until you reach Myuna Bay.
- For Wangi Wangi, continue through Myuna Bay and take the Summerhill Drive turn-off, turning right at Dobell Drive.
For Chain Valley Bay and Crangan Bay:
- Take Link Road off the F3, just north of Warnervale. This becomes Pacific Highway.
- For Chain Valley Way, turn left at Doyalson North onto Tall Timbers Road.
- For Crangan Bay, continue north along Pacific Highway. When you reach Crangan Bay, you can walk along the fire trails into the bush.
For Bolton Point (Awaba Bay):
- Take the Cessnock Road exit off the F3 towards Awaba and Toronto
- Continue along the road as it becomes Awaba Road
- Turn left at Carey Street in Toronto to cross the water
- Turn right along Bay Road, which loops around the point to Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area.
For Point Wolstoncroft:
- Access to Point Wolstoncroft is by boat to the headland or via the Sport and Recreation Centre (you are requested to call the centre on phone 1800 819 244 or 4976 1666 before entry).
Maps and downloads
Learn more
Wangi Point bushcare is in Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Activities galore
Whatever pace you like to take life at, there's stacks to do on Lake Macquarie. Kayak the serene waters, meander along Awaba Bay Foreshore walk or try Wangi circuit walking track for a gorgeous helping of nature. Picnic at Alexanders, throw a line over your boat, or take things a little bit faster with some waterskiing.
- Alexanders picnic area This very peaceful picnic area with scenic views, at the southern end of Awaba Bay Foreshore walk is the perfect spot to rest after a bushwalk along beautiful Lake Macquarie - indulge in birdwatching, picnicking, and relaxing among the diverse habitats.
- Marmong picnic area Marmong picnic area is an idyllic place to picnic by the lake, with opportunities for walking, swimming, boating, paddlnig, fishing and birdwatching within Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area.
- Wangi circuit walking track Take a peaceful bushwalk through towering forests to the shores of Lake Macquarie on Wangi circuit walking track, with wonderful scenic views of Pulbah Island, birdwatching and picnicking opportunities, and even sea turtles to see.
An important place
The plentiful nature and beauty of this area have made it a special place for thousands of years. The Awabakal Aboriginal people were the original inhabitants, enjoying plant foods such as cabbage palm and lillypilly, and shellfish like pipis, cockles, mussels, whelks, and oysters collected from rock platforms, the lake's foreshore, and beaches. Local people caught fish with lines or spears, or trapped them in weirs built at the entrance of tidal channels. The beautiful Pulbah Island is considered sacred by the Awabakal People.
Holidaying history
The special atmosphere of Lake Macquarie has long drawn holidaymakers. A ferry service between Wangi Wangi Point and Toronto led to a growth in tourism in the 1910s and 1920s, and a number of swimming enclosures and guesthouses catered for the area's many visitors. Miners came to Wangi Wangi Point from the Cessnock coalfields, and it became a tent city during December and January when the mines closed for Christmas. You can still stay at Wangi Wangi Point in the Tourist Park.
Wonderful wildlife, diverse habitats
The animals love it here too, making their home among the diverse habitats. Green sea turtles, dolphins, sugar and squirrel gliders, and kangaroos all call the park their home. If you look up, you'll find sea eagles, kookaburras, lorikeets, and the threatened pied oystercatcher in the trees and sky above the lake. On bushwalks, look out for lovely orchids, spectacular wattles, and coastal banksia.
- Alexanders picnic area This very peaceful picnic area with scenic views, at the southern end of Awaba Bay Foreshore walk is the perfect spot to rest after a bushwalk along beautiful Lake Macquarie - indulge in birdwatching, picnicking, and relaxing among the diverse habitats.
- Awaba Bay Foreshore walk Take a stroll along the shores of Lake Macquarie on Awaba Bay Foreshore walk, enjoying the spectacular scenic lake views while birdwatching and keeping an eye out for dolphins and green sea turtles.
- Lake Macquarie cruise and guided nature walk Jump aboard CoastXP’s adventure boat for an exciting, all-inclusive cruise and guided nature walk at Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area.