A boat on Lake Macquarie

Wangi Wangi
Holiday resort town famous for its associations with artist William Dobell
Known locally just as 'Wangi' Wangi Wangi is a holiday resort town in the City of Lake Macquarie, situated on a long, narrow peninsula which juts out from the western shore of the lake. It is situated 121 km north of Sydney and 4 m above sea-level. Including Rathmines, to the north, the population (of the area) is 6343 (1986 figures). Being so close to the lake the major drawcards for visitors are fishing, swimming, boating, picnics , camping and the general scenic value of the area.

Once occupied by the Awabakal Aborigines the locality was referred to as Wonde Wonde on an 1826 map. Edward Gostwyck Cory of Paterson became the first European settler when he selected 500 acres here in 1829 but he did little with it. The readily observable approach of peoples along the narrow neck apparently made the peninsula popular with cattle thieves at one time.

A thermal power station opened in 1958, now closed. Myuna Colliery opened in 1981 to supply coal to Eraring Power Station.

Things to see:  

Koolewong Coastal Ecotours
If you want to experience the local area accompanied by an expert local guide and are interested in the ecology, fauna and flora of the district then double click here and check out Koolewong Coastal Ecotours. Details of their tours are provided.

Koolewong Coastal Ecotours are conducted within the Brisbane Water and Bouddi National Parks on the NSW Central Coast. The trained Ecotour Guides have extensive local knowledge of the flora and fauna of the native bushland. Travellers are picked up from their Hotel from 8.30am and and are returned by around 5.30pm. Optional starting and return times can be booked where required.

Dobell House
Noted Australian painter William Dobell lived here from the 1940s to his death in 1970. He was the recipient of the Archibald prize in 1943, 1948, and 1959. The 1943 award became one of the most controversial prizes in Australian art history when anti-modernist forces challenged the decision in court on the grounds that Dobell's experimental portrait of Joshua Smith was not properly a portrait. Dobell House is open on Sundays and public holidays from 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. and by appointment, contact (02) 4975 4115 or (02) 4972 1172. There are prints of his work on display, some inspired by the local scenery, as well as original furniture, possessions, memorabilia and photographs. Now owned by the National Trust the building is located in Dobell Place, which is a tiny side road off Dobell Drive, the main road out to the end of the peninsula. There is a small admission fee.

Wangi Point Flora and Fauna Reserve
Wangi Point Flora and Fauna Reserve on the tip of the peninsula consists of 60 ha of rainforest remnants and eucalypt stands inhabited by koalas. There are good views to be had of the lake and the ocean, as well as some very enjoyable walking trails along the lake foreshores and through shrubs, native grassland and remnant littoral rainforest .

Proceed to the end of Dobell Drive. Keep to the left and the roadway will lead past the camping area and caravan park. If you turn right at the end of Dobell Drive you will come to a carpark with an information board from whence the walking trails depart. The most logical starting place is the 'Easy Walk' which leads out to a rest area at Wangi Point where there are good views of the lake. From this rest area other more extended trails depart for those wishing to explore further. A pamphlet outlining the walks should be available from the caravan park which also hires out runabouts, canoes and row boats, contact (02) 4975 1889.

Myuna and Wangi Wangi Bays
On the south-western side of the Wangi Peninsula, off Wangi Rd, is Myuna Bay where a thin strip of parkland lines the lake foreshore. It is a pleasant area with good views south-east across Rocky Pt at the southern end of the bay across to the Morisset peninsula, and eastwards to Pulbah Island and across to the eastern shore of the lake.

Wangi Wangi Bay, on the north-western side of the peninsula is another popular local area with a caravan park, swimming pool, jetties and boat ramps.

Tours
Hunter Waterways operate cruises and charter services around the lake, including sightseeing tours and visits to Pulbah and Sand Island. They pick up from any public or private jetty. For further information on the town and district contact Lake Macquarie Tourist Information Centre, 72 Pacific Highway, Blacksmiths, tel: (02) 4972 1172.

	Hotels
	Wangi Hotel Watkins Rd Wangi Wangi NSW 2267 Telephone: (02) 4975 1411
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Kismet Lodge Bed & Breakfast 103 Dobell Dve Wangi Wangi NSW 2267 Telephone: (02) 4975 1364 Rating: **
	Apartments
	Wangi Foreshore Holiday Apt 77 Watkins Rd Wangi Wangi NSW 2267 Telephone: (02) 4975 3643
	Lodges & Chalets
	Rosella Lodge Cottage 56B Dobell Dve Wangi Wangi NSW 2267 Telephone: (02) 4975 3454
	Caravan Parks
	Lake View Caravan Park 10 Dobell Dve Wangi Wangi NSW 2267 Telephone: (02) 4975 1656
	Wangi Point Tourist Park Watkins Rd Wangi Wangi NSW 2267 Telephone: (02) 4975 1889 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Chez Restaurant Wangi RSL Club Watkins Rd Wangi Wangi NSW 2267 Telephone: (02) 4975 4418
	Chinese At The Pub Wangi Hotel Watkins Rd Wangi Wangi NSW 2267 Telephone: (02) 4975 2549
	The Dobell Room Restaurant Wangi Workers Club 11 Market St Wangi Wangi NSW 2267 Telephone: (02) 4975 3542
	Wangi Pizza Bar 289 Watkins Rd Wangi Wangi NSW 2267 Telephone: (02) 4975 3676
	Cafés
	Wangi Waters Cafe & Deli Shop 2 226 Watkins Rd Wangi Wangi NSW 2267 Telephone: (02) 4975 4588