Guide to Rathmines New South Wales Australia

Rathmines is a village on the western shore of Lake Macquarie, ten minutes south of Toronto. Its long, open foreshore was once the largest flying boat base in the southern hemisphere.

Known For

• The former RAAF Catalina base
• Rathmines Park and its long lake frontage
• Calm water for sailing and paddling

The RAAF flew Catalina flying boats from here between 1939 and the early 1960s. When the base closed the land passed to the community, and many of the old buildings are still in use as a bowling club, a hall, a theatre and a school.

Things To Do in Rathmines

Rathmines Park

The park runs for more than a kilometre along the lake, with lawns, picnic shelters, a playground, boat ramps and the concrete slipways where the aircraft were hauled out. A memorial near the water remembers the crews who trained and served here. A festival with flying displays is usually held in spring; check the date each year.

On the water

Kilaben Bay in front of the park is sheltered and popular for dinghy sailing, kayaking and fishing.

Walk the old base

Signs around the park explain what each building was. The former officers’ mess is now the bowling club, with a view that is hard to beat.

Where To Stay

There are holiday houses in the village. Toronto has a hotel and motels.

Eat & Drink

The bowling club serves meals on the waterfront, and there are a few shops and takeaways.

Getting to Rathmines

Rathmines is 45 minutes from Newcastle and about 100 minutes from Sydney, leaving the M1 at the Toronto exit.