Peacefully tucked away, Caves Beach is a serene seaside suburb on the east Lake Macquarie peninsular, nestled between the lake, the Swansea Channel, and the popular surfing beach of the same name.

Despite being initially regarded as merely an affordable ‘outer suburb’ of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, more and more people are discovering the suburb’s hidden gem status. In fact, according to Neil Fry, agent at Belle Property Lake Macquarie, around 80 per cent of his recent sales within the area have been to buyers from outside the region.

“Caves Beach is a wonderful alternative to your traditional coastal meccas, without the crowds and hype,” says Fry. “It’s small enough to offer a sincere sense of community while offering good value, convenience, and close access to both lake and surfing beaches.”

With deep roots in the local community, Daniel Borg is the creative force behind Psyborg, a design agency. Borg also manages Caves Beach Connect, a networking group that encourages local entrepreneurs and business owners to connect. And yet, the main reason he values life in Caves Beach comes down to family.

“When I was 15 years old, my family moved to Caves Beach, where I grew up body surfing at the beach, biking and skating on quiet suburban streets, and cliff jumping at high tide or exploring caves at low tide,” Borg recalls.

Now, as an adult, with a better understanding of its uniqueness, the thought of my children creating these same fond memories and the presence of extended family has solidified my decision to settle down here permanently.”