Caves Beach and Swansea is such an incredible place to visit and live. Here’s ten things you can do in Caves Beach and Swansea whilst you are on holidays, from a local.
So you’ve discovered Swansea and Caves Beach. That’s great, enjoy your stay, but don’t tell anyone when you get back home. Caves Beach and Swansea are such an undiscovered beautiful gem right at the entrance to Lake Macquarie. Fun fact: Lake Macquarie, just happens to be Australia’s largest saltwater (coastal) lake.
You’re here now …. so you may as well have a good time, so I put together a list of ten things you can do in Caves Beach and Swansea.
Or jokes aside, welcome and I hope you have a great stay.
10 things to do in Caves Beach and Swansea
1. The Caves
You can’t come to Caves Beach without visiting the Caves. There is a reason why it is called Caves Beach.
A short stroll from the surf club at Caves Beach in the southern corner is the Caves. A small collection of Caves with stunning beach views. Walk through the Caves, take a pic for the socials, or even bring a picnic rug to sit and watch the Sunset or Sunrise with bottle of bubbly (probable just at sunset) with that special person in your life.
Cost : Free
Time Needed : 10 mins to a couple of hours depending on what you do.
When : Make sure you go at low tide. The entrance to the Caves will get a bit of water at high tide.
2. Visit a Café
There are a number of great cafes in Swansea and Caves Beach. Now, depending on who you ask, you are probably going to get a different recommendation. Here’s my top few favorite spots and why.
I think my favorite cafe in the area is Boffee. With some nice relaxed outdoor setting and not to far from Caves Beach with some great food and coffee at a reasonable price. Across the road is Mawsons. A bit more upmarket with great food and a little more expensive. In Swansea, if you are after just a coffee, I recommend Double Shot and the best view prize goes to Tides (it overlooks the bridge at Swansea). Fastest food and coffee prize goes to maccas, but I don’t really need to tell you about that. You get what you get there.
Cost : $5 – $100
Time : You know how fast you drink and eat.
When : Most of the cafes close about 3pm.
3. Go Fishing
I guess it’s pretty obvious but I can’t not say something about having a fish here at Swansea and Caves Beach.
With water everywhere you turn, fishing is a brilliant option. I can’t tell you the best spots because I would have to kill you, so you will just have to try your luck with your boat or on one of the many beaches, points or jetties. You can put your boat in at Swansea at the esplanade or over the bridge near Blacksmiths. If you’ve got a bigger boat the bridge opens up on the hour, every hour. There’s a fishing shop on the main road up near Dominos and you can grab bait at the local shops at Caves Beach too.
Cost : Bait and Fuel for your boat.
Time : Lots of patience needed.
4. The Beach
Again another obvious one, but here’s the low down on what beaches are good for what.
Here’s my favorites and why.
If you are after a surf try Frenchies (northern end of Caves Beach) or Blacksmiths a little up the beach.
Caves Beach (down near the Caves) and Blacksmiths both have flags, so that’s nice safe place for a swim with waves.
A nice beautiful beach is called Little Beach. It’s a gem on the southern side of the heads. Best for a swim a high tide, with sheltered waves. Not a bad place for a snorkel when the swell is smallish. It’s also known as Reid’s Mistake, because Reid was sent to go to Newcastle and turned in too early and found Lake Macquarie instead. Locals call it ‘thong beach’ and perhaps it’s not what you are thinking. It’s names ‘Thong beach’ because on one of the little trails that heads into the beach is a tree where blown out pluggers go to rest.
For a swim with no waves, head to Salts Bay (Swansea Heads), Grannies Pool (Blacksmiths) or the place formerly known as ‘Coony’ (behind Swansea Caravan park). Not sure what it is officially called now.
5. The Rock at Caves Beach
The Rock at Caves Beach is fun for everyone.
A great way to get some energy out and get the kids off their screens.
The Rock has climbs for beginners through to the experienced climber.
Bouldering is short climbs with big crash mats that don’t need ropes. So mum and dad, you don’t need to be belaying the whole time and getting a crook neck. A super fun, safe and healthy activity to do in Caves Beach. The Rock resets a bunch of climbs each week and have some little comps and special activities throughout the week and during holidays.
Coming soon at the Rock is putt putt and you can play table tennis for $5 too.
Cost : $12-$15 for a casual climb. Memberships from as low as $15 per week.
Time : Until you have no arms left. Usually around 1-2 hours
When : Check the socials and website for up to date hours (and also special deals and activities)
6. Go for a walk or bike ride
There are so many great paths in Swansea and Caves. From the walk around the channel to Coony or across the bridge to to Blacksmiths and along the breakwall (all concrete and flat). There’s a rainforest walk near Salts Bay (Swansea Heads). Start at Black Neds bay and take the 1km walk (all flat but not concrete) to the beach. There’s a great walk down to Spoon Rocks and if you are game, all the way to Catherine Hill Bay. That will take a few hours. Also a lovely few walks near Galgabba.
Cost : All free.
Time : Depends on the walk (from 30 mins to a couple of hours).
7. Sunrise at the beach or Sunset overlooking the lake
Nothing is more special that taking some time to appreciate creation. It’s free and stunning.
8. Sky Dive or Joy Flight
At Pelican Airport you can skydive of get a joy flight.
This one is for the adrenaline junkies. Though it’s not cheap it will most likely be a memory that lasts a life time. And there’s better place to get in the air than around here, with views to the mountains, the ocean and the beautiful lake.
Cost : Not cheap.
Time : A couple of hours.
9. Food
Amongst the many places to eat at Swansea and Caves, here are my best tips.
Mai Thai – My Favourite for a cheap lunch time meal. Prices start from around $10 with rice and whatever you are after.
Best Pie – Spar Mart (locals still call it the Top Shop).
Best View – Swansea RSL and pretty good prices too.
Best Chips – Caves Beach Takeaway
Fanciest – Mawsons at Caves Beach and Caves Beach Hotel (pretty good Beer and views too).
10. Discover Fossils
Whilst you are at Thong Beach (Little Beach) have a walk along the rocks south of the beach and discover a whole bunch of fossils from a time when a rainforest was active along that little part of the coastline.
Have fun and enjoy your stay at Caves Beach and Swansea region.
