Warners Bay (10 mins south of Newcastle) would be an AWESOME spot for a cruise and lunch
I would probably head up the Freeway to the Tuggerah exit and then drive across the The Entrance to stop for say 30 mins or so to relax and refresh, then head up the coast road to the Pacific Highway towards Newcastle. Then turn left at Warners Bay Road and at the end of that take a right onto The Esplanade and park along the water there and grab some lunch great spot and I'd love to do it in summer