Lake Macquarie Fun These School Holidays

As the weather cools down, the action-packed Lake Macquarie region is heating up with a host of hot school holiday deals to entertain the entire family, whether for a weekend break or a week-long adventure.

Lake Macquarie is made for exploring on two wheels, and there are plenty of scenic cycling paths which wind through pretty coastal towns, quaint villages, lakeside attractions and historic sites suitable for riders of all ages and abilities – from littlies, teens and tweens to Mums and Dads.

The particularly family-friendly two-kilometre ride from Pelican to Swansea is ideal with kids in tow, while the Rathmines Path takes in WWII bases via a track along the water's edge through Styles Point Reserve.

For those who prefer two legs to two wheels, Lake Macquarie is renowned for its walkways and hiking trails, with more than 20 coastal walks along in the district. Favourites include the lakeside walk along Warner's Bay Foreshore, the mountain path through Mount Sugarloaf and the Ken & Audrey Owens Walk along Redhead Beach which boasts four-kilometres of pathways, boardwalks, wetland bridges and picturesque platforms just made for checking out the surf and whale migration below.

For those who prefer to get out on the water rather than just stroll along the foreshore, the lake itself is home to 280 species of fish, 30 boat ramps and 25 jetties open to the public. With 110 square kilometre of water just waiting to be explored and enjoyed, the lake offers year-round adventure including scuba diving, surfing, sailing, kayaking, jet boating, paddle boarding and fishing.

Families of all ages will love horse riding in the glorious Watagan Mountains, picnicking with kangaroos at Morisette, checking out the holiday activities at the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens and – just in case of wet weather – jumping up a storm at Springloaded indoor trampoline park.

We've pulled together a selection of hot holiday deals and packages perfect to warm up chilly days:

Jet Buzz Watersports is running whale watching tours, kayak and stand-up paddleboard hire with a 33% school holiday discount if you mention -Lake Mac Tourism' and jet boating with discounts depending on group size. Visit www.jetbuzz.com.au for details and to book.

The School of Yak – Kayak Tours and Training is offering a -3 for 2 Family Explorer' deal bringing families three hours of Lake Macquarie fun for the price of two just for mentioning this offer. Cost: family $180.00. An introductory one-hour family and children's kayaking experience is just $25 per person (minimum 4 paddlers) if you mention this offer during the school holidays. Visit www.schoolofyak.com.au for information and bookings.

At Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, a program of -School Holiday Fun' sessions will teach kids to produce artworks inspired by the gallery's ground and exhibitions. Sessions runs between 10.30am and 12.30pm on June 30, July 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9. Visit http://artgallery.lakemac.com.au/ for more details.

Matt Hall Racing has the holidays sorted for thrill seekers. The -Central Coast Aerobatics and Skydiving Adrenaline Junkie' package includes a tandem skydive with Skydive the Beach and a 10-minute flight in Australia's fastest two-seat aerobatic aircraft enjoying views of The Entrance and the Great Lakes. The package which can be fulfilled on two separate dates, costs $659. Visit https://mhrac.bookingboss.com/booknow.cfm?e=MHRAC4105 to book.

The -Ride of Your Life' package is an extreme energy 10-minute flight with one of Matt Hall's racing pilots who'll run you through a mind-bending routine of aerobatic manoeuvres in Australia's highest performing aircraft. Cost $390. Visit https://mhrac.bookingboss.com/booknow.cfm?e=MHRAC3865 to book.

Lake Mac libraries will be home to a raft of kids' activities during the school holidays, including a -Frog Prince Puppet Show', -Create a Robot' session and -Young Adult Creative Writing Classes', ensuring there's something appealing for all ages. Details are available online at: http://library.lakemac.com.au/kids/school-holiday-fun

Hunter Region Botanic Gardens will host -Children's Discovery Day' on June 30 from 10am until 3pm with hands-on activities and entertainment for kids, parents, grandparents and carers of all ages at a cost of $4 per person (free for the under two's); and -Nature is Fun' on July 8^th from 9.30am until 11.30am with experienced guides leading an adventure to collect specimens, learn fun facts and create craft to keep at a cost of $5 per child/concession and $6 per adult. Bookings essential. Visit www.huntergardens.org.au for details.

Kemeys Mountain Hideaway in the magnificent Watagan Mountains is offering three midweek nights in a Tennis Court Spa Suite including full country breakfast daily for $495. Details at http://www.kemeys.com.au/.  

For those moments when the kids need some down time, Lake Cinema at Boolaroo is offering $6 tickets to -Minions' and -Home'. Visit http://lakecinema.net.au for details.

For accommodation and tours bookings, or further information on Lake Macquarie, visit www.visitlakemac.com.au