lots to discover

www.visitlakemac.com.au2

2

Swansea Foreshore

Love the atmosphere

FAST FACTS 3

contents

Shared pathway locations 4

Keys and symbols 5

Cycling checklist – before you leave 7

Cycling tips – on the shared path 7

Cycling safety – on the road 9

Young cyclists 9

Map 1. Red Bluff Boardwalk: Booragul to Belmont 10

Map 2. Barnsley to Holmesville 12

Map 3. Cardiff to Hillsborough 13

Map 4. Kotara to Newcastle 14

Map 5. Charlestown to Windale 15

Map 6. Pelican to Swansea 16

Map 7. Toronto to Fassifern 17

Map 8. Rathmines 18

Map 9. Wangi Wangi 19

Map 10. Bonnells Bay to Morisset 20

Map 11. Wallsend to Glendale 21

Map 12. Fernleigh Track: Belmont to Adamstown 22

Lake Macquarie boasts some of the most picturesque scenery in New South Wales. What better way to view our unique natural environment and access the City’s facilities, than by walking and cycling – something the whole family can enjoy.This guide details the shared pathway network around Lake Macquarie. The Fernleigh Track and Warners Bay foreshore sit as the centrepieces of this network of 'green routes'. They connect people with our stunning natural landscape, as well as our cafes, shopping areas, schools, parks, public reserves, picnic and swimming areas and sporting fields. The many attractive and comfortable shared pathway routes offer a safe environment for children and adults, providing a platform for this healthy recreational activity. Whether you are a local looking to find a new way to reach your regular destinations or a visitor wanting to see the best the city has to offer, walking and cycling around Lake Macquarie will offer you a refreshing way to enjoy the outdoors and our magnificent natural surrounds.

3welcome &

contents

4

1 Red Bluff Boardwalk: Booragul to Belmont

2 Barnsley to Holmesville

3 Cardiff to Hillsborough

4 Kotara to Newcastle

5 Charlestown to Windale

6 Pelican to Swansea

7 Toronto to Fassifern

8 Rathmines

9 Wangi Wangi

10 Bonnells Bay

11 Wallsend to Glendale

12 Fernleigh Track: Belmont to Adamstown

Shared pathway locations

1

23

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

12

12

5

Keys and symbols The suburb or nearest town or cross-street

Loop paths have a continuous path where the end point meets the start point. Linear paths lead to a specific point and return along the same path

The length of the path in kilometres

Paths are categorised into three grade levels: Easy – Accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels

Moderate – Suitable for people with average fitness levels and may include some inclines and on-road cycling

Hard – Requires a reasonable level of fitness and on-road confidence, may include steep inclines

Facilities associated with the path

How to reach the start point including nearest train station if applicable, road and town names

Additional useful information

Indicates an off-road pathway shared between cyclists and walkers

Indicates on road section/s of cycleway exist

Indicates railway station Indicates START/END point

keys & symbols

Swansea Foreshore

www.visitlakemac.com.au6

6

Love to ride

FAST FACTS 7

7cycling checklist &

cycling safety

Cycling checklist – before you leaveBefore you set out here are a few must dos:

• Helmet – ensure each rider’s helmet is well-fitted, free of damage, has a working strap and is tightened securely under the chin with enough slack for one finger

• Cycle horn or bell – bells are great, whether at pedestrian crossings or on the local trail. Your bike must be fitted with a bell, horn, or similar warning device as per NSW road rules

• Lights – ensure a white front light and rear red light is fitted if you may be travelling at night or in reduced visibility conditions

• Safety vest – yellow or orange reflective vests can really make you stand out on the roads. A must at night, and also a good idea for walking and cycling during the day

• Tyres – check for firm air pressure in your tyres before you leave

• Bike check-over – check brakes are working, the quick-release lever is secure and the seat, pedals and handlebars are secure

• Padlock – if you will be stopping and leaving your bike, remember to take your padlock with you

• Water – remember to carry drinking water and a snack for recharge along the way! Sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun visor will also help to beat the sun’s glare

Pedestrian and cycling tips – on the shared pathBoth pedestrians and cyclists use off-road shared paths (walking and cycling paths) and signage is displayed on how to use them safely.

• Ring the bell or politely warn walkers you are approaching – especially from behind

• Walk and ride on the left side of the path except when overtaking

• Consider cyclists, children, dogs, older people, and people with a disability who are using the path

• Shared paths are not racetracks – ride at a safe speed and give way to pedestrians

Love to ride

8

Fernleigh Track

Family time is fun on bikes

9cycling safety &

young cyclists

Cycling safety – on the roadFor your safety and enjoyment, remember to follow these basic road rules:

• Give way to motorists and pedestrians.

• Cycle at least a metre, where possible, away from the kerb to avoid debris and a metre from parked cars to avoid opening doors.

• Let people know your intentions by using hand signals when turning or changing lanes

• Plan the safest route before your trip and take wet weather gear and high visibility items in case the weather changes while you are out

For a full list of the special road rules for cyclists visit www.bicycleinfo.nsw.gov.au Young cyclists • A responsible adult should accompany children under the age of ten years when riding

• Children under the age of 12 years are permitted to ride on the footpath but must give way to pedestrians

• Adults who are riding with children under the age of 12 years are also permitted to ride on the footpath

• Find a safe place for children to learn cycling skills. Playgrounds, parks and off-road shared pathways are good places to practice

• Make sure your child's bicycle is kept in good condition. Bicycles can pose a serious risk to children if they are not properly maintained. Never buy a bicycle for your child that is too big. Riders should be able to touch the ground with both feet whilst sitting on the saddle

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Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, First Street Booragul to Pacific Highway, Belmont (or reverse)

Linear shared path/road with some moderate hills

Sections vary from 3–5km between major towns (18km in total)

Moderate to hard

Schools, playgrounds, sports grounds, picnic areas, barbecues, public toilets, cafes and restaurants, viewing platforms, jetties, lookout, Speers Point Swim Centre, Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, parking, shops

Booragul Railway Station

This path is within range of the Fernleigh Track Belmont access point, to create a link along the coast and into Newcastle’s suburbs (see page 22)

Map 1. Red Bluff Boardwalk: Booragul to Belmont This is the ideal ride to take in the best the Lake has to offer from swimming, picnicing, coffee shop, bushwalking and sightseeing opportunities to the award-winning Variety Playground.

This route suits the ambitious leisurely rider and home-to-work commuter, with ample convenience facilities along the way. The scenery takes in lake panoramas and mountain vistas – great for watching the sunset over the Watagans. It also offers easy access to the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery as well as the Variety Playground at Speers Point Park, which is the Hunter Region’s premier playground, voted the ‘Best Play Space in Australia’ in 2011 and home to many festivals, markets and events.

Additionally, this route includes the Red Bluff Shared Pathway, an exciting 400m long elevated boardwalk built over the water and which hugs the foreshore around a headland known locally as “Red Bluff ” due to the colour of the earth. The 3m wide recreational path provides three viewing platforms equally spaced along its length for users to relax and experience all the lake has to offer.

11shared pathways

ELEEBANA

CROUDACEBAY

COCKLEBAY

LAKEMACQUARIE

WARNERS BAY

SPEERS POINT

LAKE MACQUARIE CITY ART GALLERY

START/END POINT

BOORAGUL

VALENTINE

BELMONT

12

Johnson Avenue, Barnsley to William Street, Holmesville (or reverse)

Flat, linear track

1.3km

Easy

Playground, sportsground, parking, skate ramp

Access: Parking at the sportsground at Barnsley

A practical route to access nearby West Wallsend shops and schools

Map 2. Barnsley to Holmesville

This shared pathway is a short rural route that passes by some lovely forested bushland and horse paddocks – very scenic with glimpses of Mount Sugarloaf and Mount Vincent towering close by.

BARNSLEY

SPORTS GROUND AND SKATE RAMP

START/END POINT

Appletree Road, Barnsley

13

Hillsborough to Fifth Street, Cardiff (or reverse)

Linear track, slight hill

2.5km

Easy to moderate

Sports ground, schools

Use roadside parking located in Higham Street, Chadwick Street and Fifth Street

Variations of this route will continue to Warners Bay and Charlestown shopping areas. Access to the Newcastle Inner City Bypass is also available. Continue on to Cardiff shopping centre

Map 3. Cardiff to Hillsborough

This mostly urban shared pathway passes through residential streets as well as forested roadside and reserve – ideal to commute to work.

CARDIFF

DOG SHOWGROUND

SCHOOLS

START/END POINT

shared pathways

14

Kirkdale Drive, Kotara South to Newcastle City (or reverse)

Linear

11.1km (1.1km to Newcastle - Lake Macquarie City boundary)

Moderate to hard

Sportsground

Kirkdale Drive near Charlestown Road

Follow Newcastle City Council cycleway directions for entry into Newcastle

Map 4. Kotara to Newcastle

This mostly urban shared pathway passes through residential streets as well as parkland reserve – ideal for those who work or play in Newcastle.

10KM TONEWCASTLE

CBD

START/END POINT

15

Warners bay Road to Hunter Sports High, Pacific Highway, Gateshead (or reverse)

Linear

2.5km

Easy to moderate

Sportsground, club, shops

Park Avenue near the Nereida Close intersection

Extensions of this track will access Mount Hutton and Warners Bay shopping areas

Map 5. Charlestown to Windale

This shared pathway is an ideal link between schools and the residential community, with a safe bridge crossing over the busy Newcastle Inner City Bypass. It is also a handy access way towards Warners Bay.

CHARLESTOWN

WINDALE

MYALL RD

HILLSBOROUGH RD

PAC

IFIC

HW

Y

NE

WC

AST

LE IN

NE

R C

ITY

BY

PASS

BAYVIEW ST

SEE MAP 3 TO CARDIFF

ON ROAD TO WARNERS

BAY

START/END POINT

shared pathways

LAKE ST

HUNTER SPORTS HIGH

SCHOOL

16

Lakeview Parade/Soldiers Road, Pelican to Rea Street, Caves Beach (or reverse)

Flat, linear (loop around Pelican option)

2km

Easy

Major shopping and services centre, library, schools, Swansea Swim Centre, clubs, restaurants and cafes, parks, skate park, playgrounds, picnic and barbecue areas, sports fields, public toilets

Lakeview Parade for car parking and safe bike embarking

Continue by road to ride to Caves Beach

Map 6. Pelican to Swansea

This scenic lakeside route includes walking and cycling across the Swansea Channel using the Swansea Bridge and joins the Pelican residential area to the Swansea shopping district, swimming pool and local schools.

SWANSEA

PELICAN

SWANSEA HIGH SCHOOL

SHOPPING DISTRICT

SWANSEA BRIDGERSL

POOL

LIBRARY

START/END POINTSwansea Foreshore

17

Toronto shopping area to Fassifern Railway Station (or reverse)

Flat, linear

3.6km

Easy

Small and large shopping districts, schools parks, reserve, playgrounds, clubs, restaurants and cafes, lake swimming area, public toilets and showers (at Toronto Foreshore)

Victory Parade, Toronto – enter bike path from the sailing club. Fassifern Railway Station is accessed via Tucker Close off Fassifern Road If starting here, the shared path begins east of the station, with a footbridge over Fassifern Road.

The old Toronto Railway Station is open twice weekly to view memorabilia from the last 100 years of local railway history

Map 7. Toronto to Fassifern

Meandering through forest and wetland, with lake glimpses and opportunity to see Aboriginal heritage at the Petrified Forest in Fennel Bay, this is a convenient ride or walk for the commuter or nice weekend activity for the visitor. It follows the historic disused Toronto train line, now a Landcare established green corridor named 'Greenway Track'.

FASSIFERN

BLACKALLS PARK

SHOPS

SHOPS

YACHT CLUB

SWIM AREATORONTO

START/END POINT

Blackalls Park Greenway

TORONTO HIGH SCHOOL

shared pathways

18

Overhill Road, Rathmines

Flat, linear

2km

Easy

Shopping district, restaurant, sports grounds, playground, jetty, picnic and barbecue areas, public toilets

Shared path at the far end of Overhill Road. Extends to Stilling Street, Rathmines

This area is of national significance. It was home to the Rathmines RAAF base which was established in 1939. It was the RAAF's main flying boat base during World War 2 and the early 1950s.

Map 8. Rathmines

Winding along the water’s edge through Styles Point Reserve and the historic Rathmines WWII bases, this shared pathway is an ideal way to enjoy the scenery of an expansive natural reserve whilst making your way to Rathmines’ shopping area.

RATHMINES BOWLING CLUB

SHOPS

NATURE RESERVE

BOAT RAMP& JETTY

SWIM AREA

SPORTS GROUND

WAR MEMORIAL

START/END POINT

PLAYGROUND

19

Wangi Workers Club to RSL Club (or reverse)

Linear, flat

1.4km

Easy

Shopping district, clubs, hotel, bistros, picnic and barbecue areas, cafe, playgrounds, jetty and swimming areas, public toilets,

Workers Club via Market Street, off Dobel Drive. RSL Club is on Watkins Road

Historic Dobell House, the studio and residence of the famous artist William Dobell, is located on this track and is open to the public on weekends from 1-4pm. Continue along Watkins Road to visit Wangi Point Reserve bushwalking and swimming areas.

Map 9. Wangi Wangi

This is a pleasurable leisurely ride or walk around Wangi Bay, great for watching the yachts and sail boats come and go and for the bird life and occasional turtle on the lake. Alternatively, continue by road to Wangi Point for swimming, bushwalking, picnic, playground and toilet facilities – not to mention the beautiful views.

WANGI WANGI BAY

DOBELL HOUSE

WORKERS CLUB

JETTY

JETTY

PLAYGROUND, SWIM AND

BARBECUE AREA

SHOPS

RSL CLUB CONTINUE

BY ROAD TO WANGI POINT

START/END POINT

shared pathways

20

Bonnells Bay Shopping Centre

Linear

5.4km

Easy to moderate

Shopping centre, hotel, cafes, public toilets, school

Morisset Park Road to Bonnells Bay Shopping Centre, Fishery Point Road (or reverse)

Access the shared path from various residential streets

Map 10. Bonnells Bay to Morisset

This shared pathway leads past quiet bushland and is a convenient and fun way to access the shops at Bonnells Bay as well as the local Public School.

MORISSET

BONNELLS BAY

BONNELLS BAY PUBLIC SCHOOL

SHOPSFISHERY POINT RD

YA

RR

AW

ON

GA

PAR

K R

D

FISHERY POINT RD

MO

RISSET

PAR

K R

D

START/END POINT

21

Stockland Drive and Lake Road, Glendale to Ganney Road, Wallsend

Linear, flat with moderate hill

4.5km

Moderate

Major shopping districts, cinema, cafes, parks, public toilets

Residential street parking

The Hunter TAFE is located alongside this path

Map 11. Wallsend to Glendale

Joining two major shopping centres between the cities of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, this popular shared pathway has become a convenient link for weekend recreation and commuting to work.

WALLSEND

GLENDALE

TAFE

HUNTER SPORTS STADIUM

STOCKLAND GLENDALE

NEWCASTLE LAKE MACQUARIE

BOUNDARY

START/END POINT

shared pathways

GANNEY ROAD

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Map 12. Fernleigh Track: Belmont to Adamstown

Distinctly the most notable shared pathway in the region, the Fernleigh Track inspires walkers, cyclists and joggers from as far as Sydney to traverse the historic disused rail corridor. Pass through rail tunnels, suburbs, wetlands and bushland, to commute to your daily commitments or simply for pure enjoyment.

JEWELLS

PACIFIC OCEAN

LAKEMACQUARIE

CHARLESTOWN

START/END POINT

REDHEAD

DUDLEY

WHITEBRIDGE

KAHIBAH

ADAMSTOWN HEIGHTS

BELMONT

BELMONT TAFE BELMONT LAGOON

23

Railway Parade, Belmont and Adamstown train station, Park Avenue

Linear, gentle grade

15km (whole track)

Easy to moderate

Designated car parking areas and access points (see below)

Major access points with car park availability:

• Adamstown train station, Park Avenue

• Burwood Road, Kahibah (car park at entry to Glenrock State Conservation Area)

• Station Street/Hudson Street, Whitebridge

• Cowlishaw Street, Redhead

• Railway Crescent (use Wommara Avenue), Jewells

• Railway Parade, Belmont

Other points accessible by car but without formal car parks:

• Fletcher Street, Adamstown

• Dibbs Street/Brisbane Water Road, Adamstown

• Brisbane Water Road/Bailey Street, Adamstown

• Kinross Avenue, Adamstown Heights

• Faul Street, Adamstown Heights

• Paterson Close, Whitebridge

• Station Street/Candish Street, Whitebridge

• Oakdale Road, Dudley

A separate full brochure detailing the Fernleigh Track sections, access locations, distances between points and more, is available on Council’s website www.lakemac.com.au or from the Visitor Information Centre at Swansea.

shared pathways

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Disclaimer: © April 2014, Produced by Lake Macquarie City Council. Whilst every endeavour has been made to ensure absolute accuracy of this information, Lake Macquarie City Council cannot be held liable for any consequences resulting from any misrepresentation or inadvertent errors contained herein. Lake Macquarie City Council does not accept liability in the event of injury or accident by persons using the highlighted shared pathways. Any safety information included in this document is for general guidance only and should not in any way replace common judgement. Person’s using the nominated shared pathways facilities should assess their own fitness levels when considering trip distance and grade. All information contained in this document is considered accurate at the time of printing.Acknowledgements: Thank you to the following individuals and organisations for their contributions; Lake Macquarie Asset Management, Communications, Sustainability and Tourism staff, Lakemac Print, Ph: 4921 0510, photography by Stewart Hazel, Andrew Monger, Jamie Wicks.