Growing demand for commercial cruises on Lake Macquarie has prompted a local operator to launch its first lake-only tours.

CoastXP has operated from Newcastle Harbour since 2018, and last year introduced offshore cruises taking in parts of the Lake Macquarie coast.

Owner, Dominic May, said burgeoning interest had led to the introduction of Lake Macquarie-specific tours, with the company’s 20-seat vessel departing from Pelican foreshore and covering more than 50km in two hours.

Launching later this month, the Lake Explorer tour will cover Swan Bay, Swansea’s sand islands, waterfront homes at Eleebana and Valentine, Pulbah Island and Trinity Point.

Dominic said a four-hour special event tour was also on offer, covering the same route but stopping at Trinity Point for lunch at the new 8 at Trinity Point restaurant.

“We believe guests will get a whole new perspective of Lake Macquarie, exploring areas of the lake few get to see,” Dominic said.

“Part of the appeal is the distance we are able to travel in a relatively short period of time, and guests will get a sense of the historical significance of Lake Macquarie, from its geology to its Aboriginal heritage and maritime history.”

The CoastXP expansion follows the successful 2018 launch of Lake Macquarie Cruises, which operates from Booragul, and the long-running JetBuzz jet boat experience based at Cams Wharf.

Lake Macquarie City Council Cultural Engagement, Marketing and Tourism Coordinator, Bianca Gilmore, said confidence in the City’s tourism sector was surging.

“It’s fantastic to see local businesses, and of course the tourists themselves, recognising and capitalising on Lake Mac’s enormous potential for adventure and outdoor tourism,” she said.

Bookings for the new tours can be made through CoastXP.

IMAGE | CoastXP to launch new lake-only tours operation in February.