Shared Pathway Guide - Lake Macquarie City Council

lots to discover
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Love the
atmosphere
Swansea Foreshore
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www.visitlakemac.com.au
contents
welcome &
contents
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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.
Shared pathway locations
Keys and symbols
Cycling checklist – before you leave
Cycling tips – on the shared path
Cycling safety – on the road
Young cyclists
Map 1. Red Bluff Boardwalk: Booragul to Belmont
Map 2. Barnsley to Holmesville
Map 3. Cardiff to Hillsborough
Map 4. Kotara to Newcastle
Map 5. Charlestown to Windale
Map 6. Pelican to Swansea
Map 7. Toronto to Fassifern
Map 8. Rathmines Map 9. Wangi Wangi
Map 10. Bonnells Bay to Morisset
Map 11. Wallsend to Glendale
Map 12. Fernleigh Track: Belmont to Adamstown
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FAST FACTS
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Shared pathway locations
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Red Bluff Boardwalk: Booragul to Belmont
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Rathmines
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Barnsley to Holmesville
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Wangi Wangi
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Cardiff to Hillsborough
10 Bonnells Bay
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Kotara to Newcastle
11 Wallsend to Glendale
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Charlestown to Windale
12 Fernleigh Track: Belmont to Adamstown
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Pelican to Swansea
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Toronto to Fassifern
keys &
symbols
Keys and symbols
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 suburb or nearest town or cross-street
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
Swansea Foreshore
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Love
to ride
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www.visitlakemac.com.au
cycling checklist &
cycling safety
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Cycling checklist – before you leave
Before 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
• C
ycle 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
• P
adlock – 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 path
Both 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
FAST FACTS
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Family time
is fun on bikes
Fernleigh Track
cycling safety &
young cyclists
Cycling safety – on the road
For your safety and enjoyment, remember to follow these basic road rules:
• Give way to motorists and pedestrians.
• C
ycle 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
• P
lan 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
• A
dults 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
• M
ake 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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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.
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)
shared pathways
START/END POINT
SPEERS POINT
COCKLE
BAY
BOORAGUL
WARNERS BAY
LAKE MACQUARIE
CITY ART GALLERY
ELEEBANA
CROUDACE
BAY
LAKE
MACQUARIE
VALENTINE
BELMONT
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Map 2. Barnsley to Holmesville
START/END POINT
SPORTS
GROUND AND
SKATE RAMP
BARNSLEY
Appletree Road, Barnsley
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.
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
shared pathways
Map 3. Cardiff to Hillsborough
CARDIFF
DOG
SHOWGROUND
SCHOOLS
START/END POINT
This mostly urban shared pathway passes through residential streets as well as forested
roadside and reserve – ideal to commute to work.
Hillsborough to Fifth Street, Cardiff (or reverse)
Linear track, slight hill
Easy to moderate
2.5km
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
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Map 4. Kotara to Newcastle
10KM TO
NEWCASTLE
CBD
START/END POINT
This mostly urban shared pathway passes through residential streets as well as
parkland reserve – ideal for those who work or play in Newcastle.
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
shared pathways
Map 5. Charlestown to Windale
MYALL RD
GH
SB
LL
HI
OU
OR
CHARLESTOWN
RD
SEE MAP 3
TO CARDIFF
CAS
NEW
TLE
ER C
ITY
ASS
BYP
ON ROAD
TO WARNERS
BAY
PACIFIC HWY
INN
BAYVIEW ST
HUNTER
SPORTS HIGH
SCHOOL
WINDALE
LAKE ST
START/END POINT
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.
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
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Map 6. Pelican to Swansea
PELICAN
POOL
SHOPPING
DISTRICT
SWANSEA BRIDGE
RSL
SWANSEA
LIBRARY
SWANSEA HIGH
SCHOOL
START/END POINT
Swansea
Foreshore
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.
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
shared pathways
Map 7. Toronto to Fassifern
START/END POINT
FASSIFERN
BLACKALLS
PARK
SHOPS
TORONTO
HIGH SCHOOL
YACHT
CLUB
SHOPS
TORONTO
SWIM
AREA
Blackalls Park Greenway
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'.
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
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Map 8. Rathmines
NATURE
RESERVE
BOAT RAMP
& JETTY
RATHMINES
BOWLING
CLUB
PLAYGROUND
WAR
MEMORIAL
SPORTS
GROUND
SHOPS
SWIM
AREA
START/END POINT
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.
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.
shared pathways
Map 9. Wangi Wangi
WORKERS
CLUB
JETTY
WANGI WANGI
BAY
JETTY
RSL
CLUB
CONTINUE
BY ROAD TO
WANGI POINT
SHOPS
DOBELL
HOUSE
PLAYGROUND,
SWIM AND
BARBECUE AREA
START/END POINT
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 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.
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Map 10. Bonnells Bay to Morisset
YARRAWONGA PARK RD
MORISSET
FIS
T RD
HE
RY
P
OI
NT
POIN
FISHERY
RD
SHOPS
SET
RIS
MO RK RD
PA
BONNELLS BAY
PUBLIC SCHOOL
BONNELLS
BAY
START/END POINT
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.
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
shared pathways
Map 11. Wallsend to Glendale
WALLSEND
GANNEY
ROAD
NEWCASTLE
LAKE MACQUARIE
BOUNDARY
TAFE
GLENDALE
HUNTER
SPORTS STADIUM
STOCKLAND
GLENDALE
START/END POINT
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.
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
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Map 12. Fernleigh Track:
Belmont to Adamstown
ADAMSTOWN
HEIGHTS
CHARLESTOWN
KAHIBAH
WHITEBRIDGE
DUDLEY
REDHEAD
JEWELLS
BELMONT
PACIFIC OCEAN
LAKE
MACQUARIE
BELMONT TAFE
BELMONT LAGOON
START/END POINT
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.
shared pathways
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:
• A
damstown train station, Park Avenue
• B
urwood Road, Kahibah (car park at entry to Glenrock State
Conservation Area)
• Station Street/Hudson Street, Whitebridge
• Cowlishaw Street, Redhead
• R
ailway 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
K
inross 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.
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AM 13926 9/14
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.