5 Epic Things to Do in Caves Beach

Caves Beach is a popular beach at Lake Macquarie.

As you may have guessed by the name, there are several caves along the coastline which you can explore.

But there’s more to this beach...

It's a great spot to spend the day with the kids. Children enjoy sliding the small sand dunes on their boogie boards and exploring the network of sea caves. 

Exploring caves is a great addition to the day. And the surrounds are stunning. 

The beach's southern end is where most visitors spend the day. The flags, lifeguards, cave network, cafe, picnic tables and toilets are all located there. 

Best Things to Do 

1. The Beach - Swimming and Surfing

You can swim at Caves Beach.

The beach is patrolled from the September/October school holidays to the April school holidays. Swim between the flags to stay safe. 

The water quality is rated ‘very good’.

There’s surfing as well.

The car park is beside the Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club, so you can easily access your car during the day.

There's a cafe behind the beach, toilets, picnic areas and bbq facilities.

If you have boogie boards with handles bring them with you. Or anything that slides on the sand.

The northern side of the stretch of sand is called Hams Beach. 

Hams Beach is quiet and secluded. It's a great spot to chill out away from the crowds. A carpark is located near the northern side.

Hams Beach has a dog off-leash area, which you can access via the first carpark along Mawson Close. 

2. Picnicking

Have a picnic here. Not a bad view…

Or head to Mylo’s Caves Beach behind the beach for great food and coffee. Dogs are welcome. 

3. Enjoying the Views from the Lookout

Walk up the stairs to the lookout. The stairs are at the very end of the beach. From the lookout you can see the caves very well.

The tide was still too high to walk to the caves. 

Turn around and you get a stunning view...

4. Exploring the Caves

Make sure you time your visit with the tides – the caves can only be accessed at low tide.

The best time to visit Caves Beach is at low tide. 

The network of caves is located at the southern end near the Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

As soon as the tide is low enough, everybody walks to the caves at once... 

You can explore them all.

The first cave is the largest and nicest. Walk to the end of the cave and around the rock wall. The network will take you to the next cave.

Continue walking along the coastline and you’ll see other smaller caves.

The series of caves ends when you can't walk any further. 

There are crevasses and lots of spaces and dark spots. The kids’ imaginations run wild.

Check it out for yourself!

5. Caves Beach Coastal Walk

If you'd like more physical activity while in Caves Beach, bushwalk from here to Pinny Beach in Wallarah National Park.

This 5-kilometre return walking track takes you to scenic coastal views.

The highlights are Spoon Rock Bay, an isolated beach sheltered by a breakwater, and the incredible views at Spoon Rock Lookout.

The walk takes about 2hrs to complete and is graded hard.

The trail begins on Caves Beach Road, opposite Copper Valley Close. 

Where to Stay in Caves Beach

Most visitors to Caves Beach stay in a holiday rental. You can search on a site such as Airbnb.

Another popular place to stay is Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows as it's very close to the beach. 

Best Cafes in Caves Beach

My favourite cafes in Caves Beach are Boffee Cafe and Mylo’s Caves Beach. 

Boffee Cafe has a great atmosphere. We like having our coffee there and delicious toasties. 

Mylo’s Caves Beach is a lovely beachside cafe right next to the beach that serves awesome lunches. 

Getting To Caves Beach

Located at Lake Macquarie, 25 min south of Newcastle or 2 hrs north of Sydney.

From Newcastle

• Follow Pacific Hwy/A43.
• About 700m past Swansea, you'll come to a roundabout - take the first exit onto Bowman Street. 
• Follow Bowman Street, which will become Park Avenue, for 1km. Turn left onto Civic Avenue.
• Follow Civic Ave to the end. Turn right onto Caves Beach Road. 
• Follow Caves Beach Road and take the first left onto Mawson Close. 
• Follow Mawson Close to the carpark at the end.  

From Sydney

• Follow the M1 Pacific Motorway NSW (F3 Freeway) toward Newcastle. 
• Take the Doyalson Link Rd/A43 exit. 
• Follow the A43 for 27km.
• At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Bowman Street.
• Follow Bowman Street, which will become Park Avenue, for 1km. Turn left onto Civic Avenue.
• Follow Civic Ave to the end. Turn right onto Caves Beach Road.
• Follow Caves Beach Road and take the first left onto Mawson Close.
• Follow Mawson Close to the carpark at the end.

GPS coordinates: -33.109085, 151.647467.

Check directions on Google Maps. 

There's plenty of free parking at the beach.