The Blacksmith Discount Bookings with Architect Gold Coast

A great location for visiting the area. Close to Caves Beach - a must experience. Short drive to Warners Bay - also a "must do" - the boardwalk and foreshore path with sculptures. Nearby from there the Art Gallery - amazing. Not too far to go to explore Newcastle and it's lovely coastal walks. Plenty of casual options for eating out.

Blacksmiths is a small seaside community near Swansea NSW, south of Newcastle. The main recreational interests around the area appear to be boating and fishing, which is understandable, given the proximity of the large Lake Macquarie and the Pacific coast. The nearest shops are in Swansea and Belmont, a few km to the south and north respectively. Access via the busy Pacific Highway sometimes necessitates slight detours to avoid risky right turns onto the dual carriageway, but getting around is generally easy by motor vehicle. We enjoyed three nice dinners at Sesame's on the Lake and Salina, both in Belmont, and at Vistana Malaysia in Charlestown; I'd recommend all three for Thai fusion, Italian, and fairly authentic Malaysian meals respectively. We also had the usual fantastic lunch at Bistro Molines in Pokolbin, a bit further afield, but a long-time favourite of mine. Coffee each morning at Seed Cafe in Swansea is really pleasant. There's not much in the way of amenity in Blacksmiths itself, which is essentially a residential area, and the beach access isn't obvious, being via an overgrown bower or around a rather forbidding locked gate (presmably to discourage 4WD vehicles from accessing the beach). We're not beachgoers these days (my wife is somewhat mobility challenged), but I'm told the beach is very nice, and we're familiar with family-friendly Redhead beach, just up the road. In summary, it's a nice enough place for a coastal break, within easy driving distance of Sydney or Newcastle, and worth a visit for a few days or longer (especially if you like boating and/or fishing).

We enjoyed our stay. Linen is not provided so take your own. Beds were comfortable and plenty of room in the lounge room. Lovely deck out the back and a small one out the front with tables and chairs. BBQ as well. There was no exhaust fan in the bathroom and it got steamy with the door closed. Only a short drive to Swansea. Short walk to the beach. Host was contactable which was good if needed. We would stay there again.