As the first city in the southern hemisphere to host the Games, the impact on Lake Macquarie was exponential.

About 3000 national and international visitors - 1500 of those athletes - descended on the city for the world's largest multi-sport youth games.

The local economy received a $5 million boost through the hospitality and tourism industry.

Athletes, their coaches and heads of delegation stayed at the University of Newcastle and Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre during the three days of competition.

The rest of the city's visitors, including VIPs, Games officials and city representatives, stayed "all over the place", according to Lake Macquarie mayor Jodie Harrison.

Accommodation was booked out from Jesmond to Caves Beach.

Cr Harrison said she was proud to welcome such a large number of people to the city, admitting she was "a bit emotional".

"To have so many people from all over the world view Lake Macquarie with fresh eyes was wonderful," she said.

"We take a lot of what we have here for granted. It was refreshing to hear our visitors' feedback on how beautiful they thought the city was."

Of Lake Macquarie's result at the Games, Cr Harrison said it was "pretty fine".

Lake Macquarie bagged four gold, two silver and two bronze medals, placing sixth overall out of the 78 cities that attended.

Taipei, Taiwan, took out the Games with a whopping 29 medals.

Cr Harrison thanked the 600-plus volunteers behind the event at a council-held picnic on Sunday.