Lake Cathie captured in photos

The lake being closed to the ocean didn’t faze people who took to the water to carry out numerous activities. 

Stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing and swimming proved to be popular. 

Bonny Hills resident Vivienne Thompson and Rebecca Richters from Helensburgh said they were enjoying their day in the sun. 

Vivienne said the lake would be nicer if it was opened to the ocean. However the closure didn’t stop the women from entering the water. 

“It’s just brown from the tea trees,” Vivienne said. 

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has recently installed new signage at the Lake Cathie Foreshore Reserve to provide an explanation to frequently asked questions.

The sign educates people about how the lake opens and closes, why the lake is sometimes brown and the native flora and fauna that inhabit the area. 

The entrance of Lake Cathie to the ocean is affected by an elevated sand dune, which blocks the entrance to the sea. 

Since the 1960s Lake Cathie has been artificially opened to reduce the potential for localised flooding of nearby properties. 

The brown colour of the lake is caused by natural tannin from tea trees in the lake catchment. The tannin is not harmful. 

For more information please visit council’s website at www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Lake-Cathie