Drift Guidebook

Sophie & Yvonne
Sophie & Yvonne
Drift Guidebook

Food scene

BREAKFAST/LUNCH Yummy food, great coffee, and friendly service. The menu has a good variety, big portion sizes, tasty coffee, and easy parking. What's not to love!
23 locals recommend
Boffee café
64 Caves Beach Rd
23 locals recommend
BREAKFAST/LUNCH Yummy food, great coffee, and friendly service. The menu has a good variety, big portion sizes, tasty coffee, and easy parking. What's not to love!
BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER Mawson is a Local family-run business, with great coffee & large indoor dining area. Good spot if it's a wet morning/day. Mawson has dine-in, takeaway, and home delivery for 7 days. I would recommend the pasta dishes, they are delicious. $5 DELIVERY FEE.
28 locals recommend
Mawson Restaurant
5 Mawson Cl
28 locals recommend
BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER Mawson is a Local family-run business, with great coffee & large indoor dining area. Good spot if it's a wet morning/day. Mawson has dine-in, takeaway, and home delivery for 7 days. I would recommend the pasta dishes, they are delicious. $5 DELIVERY FEE.
BREAKFAST/LUNCH (sometimes Friday nights) The Yoga Place cafe serves a delicious whole food plant-based menu in a sweet garden setting. Open Tuesday through Sunday 8:00am to 2:00pm
12 locals recommend
The Yoga Place Cafe
6 Mitti St
12 locals recommend
BREAKFAST/LUNCH (sometimes Friday nights) The Yoga Place cafe serves a delicious whole food plant-based menu in a sweet garden setting. Open Tuesday through Sunday 8:00am to 2:00pm
BREAKFAST/LUNCH Small, bustling cafe on the main street of Swansea. Friendly service & big wholesome meals
23 locals recommend
Seed Trading
204 Pacific Hwy
23 locals recommend
BREAKFAST/LUNCH Small, bustling cafe on the main street of Swansea. Friendly service & big wholesome meals
LUNCH/DINNER Cool vibe & fantastic views of the beach from the deck and outdoor grassed area. Great kids play equipment too
57 locals recommend
Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows
27 Mawson Cl
57 locals recommend
LUNCH/DINNER Cool vibe & fantastic views of the beach from the deck and outdoor grassed area. Great kids play equipment too
LUNCH/DINNER Spectacular water views over the Swansea channel and has views out to the ocean
49 locals recommend
Swansea RSL
5 Bridge St
49 locals recommend
LUNCH/DINNER Spectacular water views over the Swansea channel and has views out to the ocean
DINNER Cozy pub with restaurant & courtyard out the back that serves yummy food & priced well. (no kids play equipment)
32 locals recommend
The Swansea Hotel
196 Pacific Hwy
32 locals recommend
DINNER Cozy pub with restaurant & courtyard out the back that serves yummy food & priced well. (no kids play equipment)
LUNCH/DINNER Eat-in or take away (home delivery also), yummy food I would recommend the Pad See Ew & Panang curry
10 locals recommend
Mai Thai Restaurant NSW
4 Wood St
10 locals recommend
LUNCH/DINNER Eat-in or take away (home delivery also), yummy food I would recommend the Pad See Ew & Panang curry
LUNCH/DINNER Great for fish & chips and hamburgers. Easy parking. Cash only
9 locals recommend
Caves Beach Takeaway
64 Caves Beach Rd
9 locals recommend
LUNCH/DINNER Great for fish & chips and hamburgers. Easy parking. Cash only
DINNER Excellent woodfired pizzas - take away only
10 locals recommend
Big Mamma's Pizza
77 Turea St
10 locals recommend
DINNER Excellent woodfired pizzas - take away only

Beaches

20 mins walk along the beach or only 5mins drive away to the patrolled beach to explore the caves and rock pools, unforgettable for families!
152 locals recommend
Caves Beach
152 locals recommend
20 mins walk along the beach or only 5mins drive away to the patrolled beach to explore the caves and rock pools, unforgettable for families!
SALTS BAY - MUST SEE 5min From the entrance of the house (Francis Street) turn left onto Pacific Drive crossing the road onto Lambton Parade. Continue along for 2mins and take the first left. The dirt road will take you to a beautiful oasis, with tropical palms and calm majestic waters.
10 locals recommend
Swansea Heads
10 locals recommend
SALTS BAY - MUST SEE 5min From the entrance of the house (Francis Street) turn left onto Pacific Drive crossing the road onto Lambton Parade. Continue along for 2mins and take the first left. The dirt road will take you to a beautiful oasis, with tropical palms and calm majestic waters.
Crabbes Beach Located just across the road, this beach offers crystal waters, a sandy beach, and rock pools to explore.
10 locals recommend
Swansea Heads
10 locals recommend
Crabbes Beach Located just across the road, this beach offers crystal waters, a sandy beach, and rock pools to explore.
Is just 500m to the right, it is a surfer’s paradise, swimmers' dream, or fitness fanatic haven; with 2km of gorgeous beach to run or walk to Caves Beach and grab breakfast.
Frenchmans Beach
Is just 500m to the right, it is a surfer’s paradise, swimmers' dream, or fitness fanatic haven; with 2km of gorgeous beach to run or walk to Caves Beach and grab breakfast.

Walking/Mountain Biking

The Coastal walking track links Caves Beach with the headland just south of Pinny Beach, giving spectacular views over the coastline and ocean along the way. If you are up for a long day walk you can walk from Drift along the bush track behind the beach. Entre the bush track at Frenchmans and walk to Caves Beach beach. Or drive to the start of the track at Caves Beach Lookout (suggested if you have kids with you). Time: 2 hours; Distance: 5-6km; Grade Level: Moderate; Start Point: Caves Beach car park
Coastal walking track
The Coastal walking track links Caves Beach with the headland just south of Pinny Beach, giving spectacular views over the coastline and ocean along the way. If you are up for a long day walk you can walk from Drift along the bush track behind the beach. Entre the bush track at Frenchmans and walk to Caves Beach beach. Or drive to the start of the track at Caves Beach Lookout (suggested if you have kids with you). Time: 2 hours; Distance: 5-6km; Grade Level: Moderate; Start Point: Caves Beach car park
Wallarah National Park - Scenic trail Mountain Bike Trail 2.8KM From Scenic Drive, the track begins in open forest and then takes you down a steep hill, across a small creek, and ends in coastal heath with scenic views of the coastline. You can actually ride all the way to Catherine Hill Bay for lunch if you are out for the day.
24 locals recommend
Wallarah National Park
24 locals recommend
Wallarah National Park - Scenic trail Mountain Bike Trail 2.8KM From Scenic Drive, the track begins in open forest and then takes you down a steep hill, across a small creek, and ends in coastal heath with scenic views of the coastline. You can actually ride all the way to Catherine Hill Bay for lunch if you are out for the day.
This path is suitable for scooters, bikes, prams, and wheelchairs and took us about 45min to complete as a round trip.
6 locals recommend
Swansea Channel
6 locals recommend
This path is suitable for scooters, bikes, prams, and wheelchairs and took us about 45min to complete as a round trip.

Sightseeing

Skydive From Lake Macquaire Airport located just across Swansea Bridge.
17 locals recommend
Lake Macquarie Airport
864 Pacific Hwy
17 locals recommend
Skydive From Lake Macquaire Airport located just across Swansea Bridge.
Lake Macquarie's home of watersports, and the only ocean-going jet boat thrill ride in NSW!
23 locals recommend
JetBuzz - Lake Macquarie
Lorikeet Loop
23 locals recommend
Lake Macquarie's home of watersports, and the only ocean-going jet boat thrill ride in NSW!
The school operates year-round for daily lessons, locations; Blacksmiths Beach, and Caves Beach. We are a permanent fixture at these beaches throughout the NSW school holidays. Lessons run for two hours and include soft/safe surfboards, wetsuits, and sun shirts. All you need to bring is a towel, sunscreen, swimmers, and a sense of adventure!
Newcastle Surf School
The school operates year-round for daily lessons, locations; Blacksmiths Beach, and Caves Beach. We are a permanent fixture at these beaches throughout the NSW school holidays. Lessons run for two hours and include soft/safe surfboards, wetsuits, and sun shirts. All you need to bring is a towel, sunscreen, swimmers, and a sense of adventure!
Dive Newcastle is located at Swansea Bridge.
Snorkel & Dive Safari Swansea
17 Belmont St
Dive Newcastle is located at Swansea Bridge.
Lots of fun for kids of all ages and levels. The park is opposite the lake and has a park also.
Swansea Skatepark
33A-33C Channel St
Lots of fun for kids of all ages and levels. The park is opposite the lake and has a park also.

Shopping

Located in the main street of Swansea, great little homewares shop. (5mins away)
Daisy Grace
2 Pacific Hwy
Located in the main street of Swansea, great little homewares shop. (5mins away)
Handy surf shop located in the main street of swansea.
Swansea Surf Shop
164 Pacific Hwy
Handy surf shop located in the main street of swansea.
Large shopping center with all the major shops, restaurants and movie theatre.
132 locals recommend
Charlestown Square
30 Pearson St
132 locals recommend
Large shopping center with all the major shops, restaurants and movie theatre.

Beauty

Looking to treat yourself Elysium offers wonderful facials and beauty treatments. Located at the Caves Beach shops, lots of parking and only 3mins away. https://www.elysiumskinstudio.com/
elysium skin studio
64 Caves Beach Road
Looking to treat yourself Elysium offers wonderful facials and beauty treatments. Located at the Caves Beach shops, lots of parking and only 3mins away. https://www.elysiumskinstudio.com/
Looking to pamper yourself, Beauty Essence nail salon is located in the main street of swansea.
Beauty Essence Nail Salon
162 Pacific Highway
Looking to pamper yourself, Beauty Essence nail salon is located in the main street of swansea.

Essentials

Located in the main street of Swansea, 5 mins drive away. Lots of parking.
45 locals recommend
Coles Swansea
224 Pacific Hwy
45 locals recommend
Located in the main street of Swansea, 5 mins drive away. Lots of parking.
WholeLife Pharmacy and Healthfoods is a pharmacy combining traditional pharmacy with health, wellbeing, and lifestyle products to provide you with a single destination shopping experience. Offering vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, organic, and much more across over 70 different health food categories. Entre from the main street or additional parking in Coles carpark.
Swansea Wholelife Pharmacy
208 Pacific Hwy
WholeLife Pharmacy and Healthfoods is a pharmacy combining traditional pharmacy with health, wellbeing, and lifestyle products to provide you with a single destination shopping experience. Offering vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, organic, and much more across over 70 different health food categories. Entre from the main street or additional parking in Coles carpark.
Located in Swansea (18 Josephson St), only 5mins drive away with lots of parking.
45 locals recommend
Woolworths
18 Josephson St
45 locals recommend
Located in Swansea (18 Josephson St), only 5mins drive away with lots of parking.
Doctors service located in Swansea, 5mins drive 4/2 Belmont St, Swansea 4971 6663
Swansea Channel Doctors
2 Belmont Street
Doctors service located in Swansea, 5mins drive 4/2 Belmont St, Swansea 4971 6663
John Hunter Hospital approx 30mins drive
18 locals recommend
John Hunter Hospital
Lookout Road
18 locals recommend
John Hunter Hospital approx 30mins drive