Belmont, Hunter Region — New South Wales

Belmont is a suburb located within the City of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales. It is also situated on the eastern edge of the Lake Macquarie, the largest salt water lake in the southern hemisphere. The suburb was named after a guesthouse, which in turn was derived from the birthplace of Thomas Williamson, an early settler, in the Shetland Isles.

Belmont is one of the suburbs that visitors from Newcastle head out to during holidays. Apart from conveniently located just a short drive away, Belmont still offers all that holidaymakers can ever want.

Visitors to Belmont have the option of enjoying the lake shores or the ocean shore, the suburb being situated in a peninsula bordered by the Lake Macquarie in the west and the Tasman Sea in the east.

Lake Macquarie has been a major recreational destination in the area. The lake provides ample opportunities for swimming, sailing, boating, and fishing. However, the seaside beaches of Belmont also offer these activities and more. Visitors can also go surfing and kite flying in these strips of white sand. Boats can be hired for a day in the lake or for deep-sea fishing. Scuba diving is also a popular water sport in the area, both in the lake and in the sea. Some of the beaches located near the suburb are the Readhead, Blacksmiths, and Caves Beaches. There are also cruises available for the lake, in which most of the tour operators also offer sumptuous meals to its guests. There are also some shady spots around the lake that are perfect for picnics. 

The suburb also boasts of its own golfing facility, the Belmont Golf Club, which is located in its southern part. The course boasts of the beautiful coastline as its backdrop, allowing its players to indulge in their favorite pastime while appreciating the natural beauty that Belmont has to offer.

For picnics and barbecues, visitors can head out to the Belmont Bayview Park, where facilities are available. The park also offers opportunities for hiking, jogging, and bicycling.

The suburb also has an extensive wetland that was established just in 2005. Seven coastal wetlands have been incorporated into the single Belmont Wetlands, which the local community hopes to use as aid in promoting environmental awareness in those living in the surrounding areas. This attraction is suitable for those who wish to enjoy the outdoors without having to leave the suburb setting. It is also ideal for bird watching. There are also several nature walks that visitors can follow around the wetlands.

There are also several tour operators located within and around Belmont that offer to take visitors to go whale watching. From September to December, these gentle mammals are known to pass by the area on their way to migration and back, making whale watching a lucrative industry in coastal parts of the country.

For those wishing to indulge in more urban type of pastime, shopping is another activity readily done at the nearby Charlestown Square. This expansive shopping mall is located just a short drive north of Belmont.