Dora Creek is the largest tributary flowing into Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, connecting to the lake's southern reaches near the Eraring Power Station. The creek flows through a mix of residential and rural landscapes, giving it a distinctly community-oriented character. Houses line much of the waterfront, and many residents are paddlers themselves, known for offering friendly greetings to those passing through.

The primary access point for paddling is the Dora Creek Boat Ramp on Dora Street, which features a concrete ramp, a large sealed parking area, and a fish cleaning table. A public jetty is also available at Doree Place. Paddlers can launch directly onto the creek and head upstream, or enter from Lake Macquarie via the creek's entrance near the Eraring Power Station's twin chimneys.

Two well-documented routes are associated with Dora Creek. The first is the "Dora Creek to the Swinging Bridge" trail, which takes paddlers upstream from the launch point through residential and rural scenery. After rounding the first major bend past the Macquarie Street bridge, paddlers pass a Salvation Army boat shed on the left, then continue under power lines where an eagle's nest has been observed atop a tower. The trail continues to a historic weir, which serves as a natural turnaround point. The second route, "Shingle Splitters Point to Dora Creek East," approaches from the lake side and covers approximately 9 kilometres return, taking two to three hours. This route combines open lake paddling with the more sheltered environment of the creek itself. Paddlers entering from the lake should be aware of shallow water near the creek entrance, with deeper water found closer to the left bank.

Wildlife along the creek includes birds, water dragons (lizards), and at least one recorded eagle's nest. The creek also passes under bridges and alongside boat sheds, with reflections on the water noted as a visual feature. Weekend markets are held at nearby Morisset, and shops and horse riding are available in the adjacent town of Cooranbong.