Start your day with a coffee and a snack by the lake at Harry and Lola's, nestled among the greenery at Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima.

For something heartier, opt for the nearby Table 1 Espresso. Signature breakfast dishes include the Harlem Waffles served with crispy buttermilk chicken and maple bacon, a Mexican Hot Pot and the Extreme Breakfast Plank.

All fuelled up? It's time to get your arts and culture fix. The pretty parklands are home to the cutting-edge Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima. The dramatic cube-shaped building is an artwork unto itself, and hosts installations, digital screenings and audio presentations.

Afterwards, burn off some energy at the award-winning, all-abilities Variety Playground. The kids will have a ball at Lake Mac's premier play space, which comes complete with a 12-metre climbing tower, a nine-metre spiral slide and a double flying fox.

If you have some extra time up your sleeve, jump on board the Lake Mac Ferry and head to the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, to browse the current exhibitions, take a kids' art class, stroll through the leafy Sculpture Park and grab some refreshments at the on-site Three Bears Cafe

Bring your own bicycle or hire two wheels along the lake. The kid-friendly pathway, called Watagans Cycle Track, is relatively flat and has a number of bridge crossings where you can marvel at the sparkling lake as you ride.

Along the way, be sure to check out some of the Creative Lake Sculpture Trail - Lake Macquarie's own permanent and eclectic version of Sculpture by the Sea - linking seven larger-than-life installations. Among others, the contemporary works include a flying pig and 3D floor murals, which make funky photo ops.

One of Lake Macquarie's most popular attractions, Caves Beach is best known for its namesake - a network of naturally formed sea caves that can be explored at low tide. Bring the camera, as photo ops abound, and look for sea critters and shells in the tidal rock pools. Afterwards, slide down the small dunes on a boogie board, go for a paddle in the waves, or simply relax on this scenic stretch of sand.

Got an adrenaline junkie in the family? Head to Rafferty's Resort, just a 10-minute drive away, to jump on a rip-roaring jet-boat ride with JetBuzz Watersports. Hold on to your hats: high-speed slides and turns, 360-degree spins, power brake stops, fishtails and speeds of 80km/h are all on the agenda.

If you're still lazing around Caves Beach come dinner time, treat yourself to an ocean-to-plate feast at Caves Coastal Bar and Bungalows. The breezy establishment overlooks the ocean, and has a dedicated kids' menu and wood-fired pizzas for fussy eaters. If you are not ready to head home just yet, spend the night in one of the family-friendly bungalows or beachhouses - all accessed via Hamptons-style timber boardwalks.