Saltwater Lake is located near Port Macquarie in New South Wales, accessible via Limeburners Creek from Shallow Bay. The typical approach involves launching from Settlement Point or Tom Dick's, crossing Shallow Bay, and paddling up Limeburners Creek before reaching the lake. Paddlers should be aware that Shallow Bay lives up to its name at low tide, and timing the crossing with sufficient water is a practical consideration.

The creek itself is the main feature of the journey, offering a constantly changing character as it winds toward the lake. Vegetation along the banks includes grey and river mangroves, saltgrass meadows, casuarinas, melaleucas, eucalypts, and clusters of elk and stag ferns. The creek alternates between open stretches and narrow, tunnel-like sections, and fallen trees across the waterway can require paddlers to navigate over or around obstacles. Birdsong is a consistent feature along the route. As the creek approaches Saltwater Lake, the tree cover thins noticeably.

The lake itself offers a brief open-water paddle before most groups return via the same route. A former scout camp near the lake previously served as a rest stop for paddlers, but this has been dismantled, leaving only remnants including a fish cleaning table. Paddlers should plan accordingly, as there is no longer a formal rest facility at that location.

The route is used by the Port Macquarie Hastings Canoe Club and suits paddlers comfortable with creek navigation, including the possibility of log portages or scrambles.