Wangi Wangi has been purchased.

The village of Wangi Wangi is on a peninsula which penetrates the centre of the vast Lake Macquarie, whose shores support a thriving city of the same name and which is four times the size of Sydney Harbour. The lake offers a myriad aquatic delights – such as sailing, fishing, floating restaurants and various style of cruises.

Wangi Wangi is best known for its most famous citizen, the great Australian painter Sir William Dobell. His home of many years - fittingly enough named Dobell House, in Dobell Place - is now operated by the Sir William Dobell Memorial Committee and is lovingly maintained as a living museum with a fine collection of Sir William’s work, memorabilia, furniture, photographs and the like.

Sir William, who won the Archibald Prize for portraiture three times – most controversially the first time, in 1943, with his portrait of Joshua Smith that critics argued in court was more of a caricature - lived in the home for about 25 years until his death in 1970.

Things to see:

Koolewong Coastal Ecotours
If you want to experience the local area accompanied by an expert local guide and are interested in the ecology, fauna and flora of the district then double click here and check out Koolewong Coastal Ecotours . Details of their tours are provided.

Koolewong Coastal Ecotours are conducted within the Brisbane Water and Bouddi National Parks on the NSW Central Coast. The trained Ecotour Guides have extensive local knowledge of the flora and fauna of the native bushland. Travellers are picked up from their Hotel from 8.30am and and are returned by around 5.30pm. Optional starting and return times can be booked where required.

Dobell House
Noted Australian painter William Dobell lived here from the 1940s to his death in 1970. He was the recipient of the Archibald prize in 1943, 1948, and 1959. The 1943 award became one of the most controversial prizes in Australian art history when anti-modernist forces challenged the decision in court on the grounds that Dobell's experimental portrait of Joshua Smith was not properly a portrait. Dobell House is open on Sundays and public holidays from 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. and by appointment, contact (02) 4975 4115 or (02) 4972 1172. There are prints of his work on display, some inspired by the local scenery, as well as original furniture, possessions, memorabilia and photographs. Now owned by the National Trust the building is located in Dobell Place, which is a tiny side road off Dobell Drive, the main road out to the end of the peninsula. There is a small admission fee.

Wangi Point Flora and Fauna Reserve
Wangi Point Flora and Fauna Reserve on the tip of the peninsula consists of 60 ha of rainforest remnants and eucalypt stands inhabited by koalas. There are good views to be had of the lake and the ocean, as well as some very enjoyable walking trails along the lake foreshores and through shrubs, native grassland and remnant littoral rainforest .

Proceed to the end of Dobell Drive. Keep to the left and the roadway will lead past the camping area and caravan park. If you turn right at the end of Dobell Drive you will come to a carpark with an information board from whence the walking trails depart. The most logical starting place is the 'Easy Walk' which leads out to a rest area at Wangi Point where there are good views of the lake. From this rest area other more extended trails depart for those wishing to explore further. A pamphlet outlining the walks should be available from the caravan park which also hires out runabouts, canoes and row boats, contact (02) 4975 1889.

Myuna and Wangi Wangi Bays
On the south-western side of the Wangi Peninsula, off Wangi Rd, is Myuna Bay where a thin strip of parkland lines the lake foreshore. It is a pleasant area with good views south-east across Rocky Pt at the southern end of the bay across to the Morisset peninsula, and eastwards to Pulbah Island and across to the eastern shore of the lake.

Wangi Wangi Bay, on the north-western side of the peninsula is another popular local area with a caravan park, swimming pool, jetties and boat ramps.