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Explore Lake Macquarie and Newcastle!

Photo gallery for Explore Lake Macquarie and Newcastle!

Aerial view
Property grounds
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Beach nearby
Smart TV

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendly
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space
    Outdoor Space

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Explore Lake Macquarie and Newcastle!

Weekly and monthly discounts available!

Named after the native Australian birds that often chatter on the fence, Willie Wagtail Cottage is modern and light filled, with refreshing coastal breezes on the hottest of days.
Comfortably sleeping 4, Willie Wagtail Cottage is great for couples or a family looking for some fun and adventure.

PETS
Your furry friend is welcome to come, the yard is fully fenced and secure. We just ask that you be respectful - please clean up after your pet, and if they do come in to say hello, keep them off lounges and out of the carpeted bedrooms.

THE COTTAGE
The cottage has a social open plan kitchen, dining and living room, bathroom/laundry and 2 bedrooms with very comfortable queen size beds. We pride ourselves on keeping the property clean, and with all bed linen and bathroom towels supplied guests can turn up and enjoy a very relaxed and convenient getaway. There is off-street parking and we are located in a quiet friendly neighbourhood.

LOCATION
Just 2 hours north of Sydney, this is the perfect escape where you can explore the amazing Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Hunter Region.
Willie Wagtail Cottage is just 250m walk to Belmont Bay, Lake Macquarie which has grassed areas, picnic tables, paths, playground, boat ramp and is home to pelicans and black swans.
If you love the beach you won’t be disappointed. Blacksmiths Beach can be accessed by foot, or within 10 minutes drive you have the spectacular Caves Beach to the south, popular Redhead Beach to the north, or pretty Naru Beach situated within the lake.
If you enjoy heading out for a meal - a café, restaurant, pub and yacht club are all walking distance, with many more takeaways and cafés available just a 3-5 minute drive away in Belmont or Swansea. Here you will also find major grocery stores, chemists and other shops.
If you’re bringing the boat we have ample off-street parking and it’s only a quick drive to multiple ramps to launch with access to the lake, channel or ocean. A padlocked shed is on the property for storage of your surfboards, bikes, golf clubs or other gear.
Choose to relax, or keep yourself busy! Enjoy walking or bike riding on the Fernleigh Track or in many of the close by bushlands, have a round of golf with ocean views at the local course, go fishing or kayaking, or even brave skydiving with Lake Macquarie Airport just a few minutes away.
If you want to explore, Newcastle with its famous harbour and beaches are just a 30 minute drive, and the Hunter Valley Wine Region is just an hour drive.
You will love your stay in this great quiet location, with convenience to everything you could possibly want!

Property manager

Cath

Property amenities

Beach

  • Near the beach

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking includes off-street options
  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Paper towels
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Yard
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 total (up to 55 lbs per pet)
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • Near the sea
  • On the lake
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Surfing/body boarding nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 55 lbs per pet)
Note from host: Allowed inside except on carpet if house trained.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number PID-STRA-46542, 2280

About the neighborhood

Map
Belmont South, NSW

What's nearby

  • Lake Macquarie - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Blacksmiths Beach - 14 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Belmont Golf Course - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Charlestown Square - 12 min drive - 11.3 km
  • John Hunter Hospital - 16 min drive - 16.6 km

Getting around

  • Kotara Station - 17 min drive
  • Newcastle, NSW (NTL-Williamtown) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Big Mamma's Pizza - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Orana Hotel - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Guzman Y Gomez - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Domino's Pizza - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Explore Lake Macquarie and Newcastle! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 55 lbs per pet.

What time is check-in at Explore Lake Macquarie and Newcastle!?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Explore Lake Macquarie and Newcastle!?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Explore Lake Macquarie and Newcastle! located?

Located in Belmont South, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Lake Macquarie and Blacksmiths Beach. Belmont Golf Course and Byrnes Reserve are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Explore Lake Macquarie and Newcastle! Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 26 out of 28 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 28 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 28 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 28 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 28 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jill D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet retreat
Clean, modern and quiet - exactly what we were needing. Thank you for a wonderful stay. Will definitely be looking you up again in the future. Thanks for a peaceful weekend.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sue G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great little getaway
The house was very clean, exactly as photos showed. Very thoughtful in all the things that were provided, all we needed to bring was our food and clothes. Close to beaches, lake and shops. Highly recommend
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Comfortable and dog friendly
A sensor light covering the front steps and front door entry is needed for safety, especially in wet weather conditions. The rain makes the front steps very slippery. We would recommend the house to others.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alison M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Immaculately clean, close to lake and beach
Adorable and modern, perfect for a couple or young family. Great location, short walk to lake or short drive to beach. Can walk to shops and a short drive you have almost any shop or service you want. Took my pups and lovely and flat for walking and taking in the scenery. Note: lots of barking dogs in the neighborhood, may have been tourists but some barked for extended periods of time including the immediate Neighbour. Fenced yard was great with perfect lawn. Kitchen had everything you needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janet S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet and comfortable
The cottage was perfect for our short stay everything we needed , comfortable beds and best of all it was so quiet . Our host was brilliant in her communication and kindly offered a late check out . Would definitely recommend this property and it’s location close to the lake and the fernleigh track .
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely cottage
Great location near Lake Macquarie, with parks, shops and a lovely cafe in easy walking distance. Lovely cottage and being able to bring a pet is wonderful.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Little Cottage
I really enjoyed my stay at this charming little cottage :) Thanks very much to Cath for the later checkout as well
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samantha V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place in every way.
Great location, everything is at your feet. Perfect fully fenced yard with bbq and privacy.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Ruth C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Other
Enjoyed the stay and good for short term accommodation. Would like to have had coffee machine, iron, more hangers and wifi given we stayed 7 nights
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Neil P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Belmont south nook
The place was absolutely beautiful and also very clean, my partner and myself we had an amazing time while visiting family and friends in the area
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brian M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice Stay
Located near shops and short walk from lake and beach. Small yard for pets.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michele A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Short Stay away from Home
We enjoyed our short stay. The cottage was very comfortable and clean. Had most of the requirements needed for our 5 nights. Our 5 year old grandson had a wonderful time and the property was safe for him and our 2 fur babies. Owner loaned us a child's kyack unfortunately we didn't get to use it. Would not hesitate to recommend this property and will stay again in the future.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim C., Sydney

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfection
My husband and I had a brilliant weekend. The yard was perfect for our 2 fur babies and the house is beautiful and very comfortable. We were even greeted by a Willie Wagtail upon checking in. Such a great location, we hope to be back again. Thank you Cath :)
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hana K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Willie Wagtail Cottage is a gem
When we set out to find a place for a short break, we were keen to locate accommodation: a) close to Sydney, b) spotlessly clean, and c) run by hosts that would allow our furry baby, a little Bichon Frise, to come with us. And in Willie Wagtail Cottage we found all that and more! Even before we got there, Cath kindly helped us with planning a birthday outing, with her tips giving us plenty of eateries to try. And indeed, the food at Table 1 Expresso Cafe for lunch or the Canon Cafe for dinner in Warners Bay was just wonderful. The cottage itself is located in a quiet street, favoured by a very cute family of neighbourhood ducks. It is pristinely clean, with crisp white walls and fabulous high ceiling in the living area. The beds are marvellously comfortable and the place is homely and just right for a trip away from home, with beaches a short drive away and the lake just around the corner. So nice is the place that we are already liaising with Cath about our next booking! Thank you Cath and Brett for a nice stay. We are already looking forward to staying at your cottage again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Pat & Stewart m.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family getting together
All was good except no servicing spoons or salad dishes. Could have a larger saucepan.I purchased a crockpot to cook dinner Saturday nights.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tracey H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Mini break
We came up for our daughter's football match. It was perfect for what we needed and a great location which was a short drive to the ground We loved our stay and would happily return
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tony G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet and Relaxing
Just a few days needed from the busyness of work and family. A great place to explore Lake Mac both by foot and driving. Our beaglier appreciated the break as well. House was cosy - all day sun and well appointed. A great place for our short stay of 3 days.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Comfy Cottage
Clean, comfortable and well-appointed, this cottage had everything we needed, in perfect condition. From books and games for our 10 yr old to a pet friendly yard for our canine companion, the attention to detail was impressive. A short walk to the Lake and an awesome local cafe. We loved our time here.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leisha W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Home away from home
Perfect accomodation if you have a number of family members. 2 generous bedrooms large combined lounge dining and fully equipped kitchen. Outdoor BBQ area. Very quiet street and short walk to golf club. Thoroughly cleaned before arrival and contactless Check in meant we could arrive anytime we liked. Easy communication with owner who is a local and will let you know of some great spots to visit. We will be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Riley B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to stay for a get away
Great experience in a good part of Belmont south. Owners were very attentive and were happy to offer tips on the local area for stuff to do which was greatly appreciated.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stuart R., Sydney

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic base for the surrounding area
Me and my partner thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Wagtail Cottage. The place was absolutely spotless with soft towels and crisp bed linen. The bed was very comfortable and you could hear a pin drop during the night. We enjoyed our breakfast one morning on the patio with the added bonus of the huge umbrella to get some shade. There isn't any WiFi at the property however this made us appreciate the cottage even further and we made full use of the board games provided. That being said, there is a nice modern flat screen tv with with an aerial and also HDMI ports to plug a laptop in to if required. The unit is very well described and the pictures depict reality accurately. As mentioned in the description, there are so many outdoor activities to do in the surrounding areas which we loved. Newcastle is only 30mins away with plenty of cafes and restaurants to discover. Cath was very helpful and gave us a few spots to checkout. We can highly recommend Hickson St Lookout with incredible views across to Glenrock Beach during the day. The show stopper was Naru Beach for sun set. Wow. Cath was very articulate and clear in our communications and made the whole process very smooth. We would highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sachida R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Short getaway
This place is great for a small family. Close to a few nice beaches and shops. Easy access to everything.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachelle D., Sydney, AU

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Stay ! Perfect for 4 Adults
Cath was amazing. Such a cute cottage and super clean. Great location, not far from cafes, river and shops. Check in and communication was excellent. Best short break we've had for a long time. Thank you !
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shiva S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy home with excellent facilities!
Stayed with my family. Exceeded expectations! Nice and clean in a good neighbourhood. Allowing to charge my Tesla was really helpful given there are bo fast charging options around. Highly recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Georgina V.

Liked: Cleanliness
The perfect place to stay....
What a gem! This is the perfect place to stay if you want to unwind, relax, have your own private space and explore Lake Macquarie. The home is very clean and modern, with everything we needed for our getaway. The beds are very comfortable, the appliances are easy to use and the owners have obviously put thought into everything that they provide. The home has a really good vibe about it. We were a short drive away from everything (such as Blacksmiths Beach, Caves Beach, Naru Beach, cafes, scenic picnic spots fishing spots etc...and close enough to Kotara and Newcastle for a drive) so did a lot of exploring and were able to return to our very comfortable 'base' if we wanted a break. The owner, Cath was a pleasure to communicate with and check in/out was really easy. We are so happy we stayed here. A fantastic start to the new year.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023