Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Lake Macquarie

"Sitting pretty on the harbour’s edge, Nagisa is where fresh produce, traditional Japanese culture and modern techniques coincide, to deliver an unforgettable dining experience. Serving up sashimi, sushi and noodles, Nagisa’s impeccably designed restaurant, with draped linen and pendant lighting, spills out onto an alfresco setting which comes alive on balmy nights. For thrill seekers, take a seat at the teppanyaki bar, and be mesmerised by the talented chefs and intoxicating aromas of sizzling meats and fresh seafood."

"Whether you’re looking for fresh sushi or enjoy the theatre of teppanyaki cooking, Nagisa is a hidden gem for lovers of Asian food. Next to special Japanese beer, you get all kinds of exotic dishes. Prepare yourself for hot soup, spicy meat and fruity deserts."

"Blackbutt Reserve is 182 hectares of natural bushland just outside the city, that offers a haven of nature trails, outdoor activities and treetop walkways, as well as the chance to get up close and personal with some of Australia’s most famous wildlife. The exhibits include koalas, kangaroos, wombats and possums, as well as an array of fantastic bird life in the trees above. A great family day out."

"At Blackbutt, you can participate in a reptile show and interact with some slimy and scaly friends, or witness one of the awesome feeding demonstrations including Wombat feast, bird brunch, nocturnal nourish, and koala dining. Kids can also feed emus by hand, complete the activity pack, or play at the playground suitable for 6-10-year-olds with interactive musical features. More information here."

"For a taste of Brazil, MEET brings the real churrasco experience to the Newcastle streets. MEET sources the finest local pork, beef, chicken and lamb to spit roast over their custom BBQ, with added natural woods and coals to give the dishes that authentic smoky flavour. Along with endless meats served tableside, the huge menu of sides featuring cheese bread, cassava chips and banana fritters will have you hooked."

"9 Darby Street, Newcastle The New York warehouse-style South American barbecue restaurant held its first bottomless brunch last month and, following its success, they will bring it back on October 26. The first seating is from 11.30am to 1.30pm, and the second seating runs from 12.30pm to 2.30pm."

"This famous restaurant in Newcastle brings you a tailored menu like no other. They cater to your very own preferred tastes and flavors. With that, they bring you farm-to-fork produce and premium wines."

"Not far from Hamilton's Beaumont Street is this small neighbourhood playground. It contains a small amount of play equipment for kids to play on. Figtrees and palm trees shade the playground making it perfect for hot days."

"100% vegan and cruelty free café, located in the quiet streets of Minmi. They’ve gained a pretty dedicated following since opening in March 2016, and you’ll understand why when you taste their food/drinks. They even donate 100% of their tips to the heroes over at Sea Shepherd."

"Pickled & Pressed believe in natural, local, sustainable and nourishing food. Wanting to create a wellness hub for happy, healthy people, Pickled & Pressed offer a range of wellness education programs and events which empower people to live fun, healthy and amazing lives in harmony with the planet. Those programs cover topics such as sustainability, ethical investing, energy efficiency, permaculture, raw food preparation, fermentation classes and cooking classes on delectable desserts."

"The best beachfront breakfast in Newcastle, Estabar is the place to come to breathe in salty air, take in some stunning ocean views and relax with some truly delicious breakfast. Perfect for early risers, Estabar is open from 6:30am every morning. Their ingredients are largely sourced from local providers with eggs coming from Just Been Laid and bread coming from Newcastle’s Baked Uprising."

"The stunning views over Newcastle are a good enough reason to visit Estabar… and that’s before you even start talking about the great coffee, and the mouth-watering gelato and the fresh, nutritious, seasonal menu. Together with the sleek charcoal interior and peerless seaside location, Estabar is a compulsory stop for coffee-lovers visiting the Hunter."

"Nothing says summer more than an ice cream or gelato after a day soaking up the sunny vibes at the beach. And Estabar’s gelato always hits the spot. Located opposite Newcastle Beach (on your left as you emerge from the pedestrian underpass), you can grab a takeaway gelato with your hair still wet and sand between your toes, or nab an alfresco table."