Smiths Lake between lake and coast

Smiths Lake offers a coastal landscape where the lake, beach and different water activities each have their own point of reference. For planning your trip, it is particularly helpful to distinguish between the lake as a whole, its eastern basin and the beach. Development is concentrated mainly in the village on the northern side of the lake; by far the largest part of the shoreline is undeveloped. This gives you a nuanced picture of the village, shoreline and coast.

Lake and coastal landscape

Smiths Lake is classified as a lake; its connection to the ocean opens and closes intermittently. Sandbar Beach separates the Pacific Ocean from Smiths Lake. Cellito Beach is also known as Sandbar Beach, and challenging surfing is possible at Cellito Beach. Smiths Lake is also part of the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park. Surfing is associated with the named beach, while the other water activities described relate to the lake or specifically to its eastern basin.

Water activities on the lake

Boating, fishing, paddling and swimming are listed as activities on Smiths Lake. The 2005–2010 management plan describes the eastern basin as suitable for children to wade, for swimming and for beginner water-skiers. It also lists sailors, windsurfers and kitesurfers as users of this basin. This distinguishes the activities specifically described for the eastern basin from the general selection of activities on the lake: wading and beginner water-skiing are associated with the basin, while boating, fishing and paddling are listed for Smiths Lake as a whole. Swimming is mentioned in both descriptions. If you are planning to focus your trip on a particular water activity, this location-specific information is a useful guide.

Reserves and local history

John De Bert Reserve is located on the shore of Smiths Lake Village. The 2005–2010 management plan described it as a popular day-trip destination for families and locals. The same plan lists public toilets, a children's playground and picnic tables; check that these are currently available before your visit. The reserve is also connected with the development of the village: the boat ramp facility at John De Bert Reserve was the significant starting point around which the village of Smiths Lake developed.

Another named boating location is Brambles Reserve. The 2005–2010 management plan lists it as a recognised public boat ramp on Smiths Lake. Check the current condition of the ramp before travelling. John De Bert Reserve is associated with facilities for day visits and the history of the village, while Brambles Reserve is associated with a public boat ramp.

Another place for recreation

Not all the destinations mentioned revolve around the lake or beach. Smiths Lake Skatepark is located in the Smiths Lake Recreation Area and Skate Park at the corner of Macwood Road and Paradise Road. This precise location identifies it as a separate recreational destination, alongside the water-based activities and reserves described. The selection of named places therefore includes both waterfront destinations and a skatepark in the village.

Discover more destinations:

Woodburn, Leconfield, Gloucester, Currans Hill, Yass, Yarrahapinni, Woodstock, Mount Colah

For the broader travel overview: New South Wales.