On-site, The Canteen is the heart of the park during the warmer months, slinging proper coffee, soft serves, woodfired pizzas and cold drinks within an easy stroll of the waterfront. We rolled in late on the first afternoon and ended up grabbing a pizza box and a couple of cans to take back to camp, watching the light fade over the dam without ever needing to start the car. Hours flex with the season and school holiday peaks, so it's worth checking the week's opening times at reception when you arrive.

The camp kitchen is a genuine asset if you're cooking for the family, with a fridge, hotplates and a large communal BBQ that gets a workout at sunset. We provisioned a full week's worth of groceries before driving out and were grateful we did, because the park is properly rural and the nearest full-size supermarkets sit in Gunnedah and Tamworth. Pack a chilled esky for the drive in, and stash a backup loaf of bread.

For a morning run into town, Sonny's Bakery & Cafe in Tamworth is our pick for a flat white and a pie. Their sausage rolls travel surprisingly well back to the lake, and we ended up grabbing extras for a late lunch on the shoreline. If you'd rather sit down, Humble Espresso does the kind of brunch plates (think hot honey and chilli scrambled eggs, strawberry pancakes) that justify the 50-minute drive in on its own.

Come dinner, The Pig & Tinder Box is a Tamworth institution, set inside a heritage-listed old bank with woodfired pizzas, share plates and a relaxed local crowd. We loved the buzzy back room on a Friday night. For something more retro and casual, Hissy Fits does Vietnamese coffee, breakfast burritos and burgers in a diner setting that the kids absolutely loved.

Closer to the park, Gunnedah is the easier 30-minute run, and the bakeries and cafes around Conadilly Street are fine for a coffee, fuel-up and a wander before heading back to the lake.

The kids will likely disappear toward Splash Waterpark the moment you pull in, with its waterslide, tipping bucket and shallow play zones running through the warmer months. Once they're done dripping, the on-site skate park, BMX track and tennis courts soak up the rest of the afternoon, and there's a generous foreshore for a barefoot wander as the light softens. We loved finishing the day around the seasonal communal firepit, watching the stars come out properly thanks to some of the darkest skies in inland NSW.

The lake itself is the main event. Fishing for golden perch, silver perch and Murray cod is a year-round draw, with a boat ramp and fish cleaning station right on park, and the open water is a haven for sailing, water skiing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. We packed our own SUPs in the morning and drifted along quiet inlets, spotting kangaroos coming down to drink and pelicans cruising the shallows.

For something genuinely memorable, Lake Keepit Soaring Club is a few minutes up the road and offers gliding flights over the Liverpool Plains. The thermals here are world class and we honestly hadn't expected the views to be that good, with patchwork wheat fields stretching toward the Warrumbungles in the distance. Bookings are essential and weather dependent, so build flexibility into your itinerary.

A bit further afield, Warrumbungle National Park makes a brilliant day trip (around two hours west), with the Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk delivering big volcanic ridgelines and one of Australia's only Dark Sky Parks for night skies. Pack lunch, plenty of water and decent walking shoes, and aim for an early start to beat the heat in summer.

Back closer in, time your visit for the third Saturday of the month and the Gunnedah Farmers Market at Wolseley Park runs from 8am to 1pm with local produce, artisan cheeses, bakes and crafts. We came back with peaches, sourdough and a jar of local honey that lasted us about two days.

We found the lake mirrors the sky beautifully at first light, so it's worth setting an early alarm at least once for a quiet foreshore wander with a coffee in hand before the day kicks off.