lots to discover 2 Love the atmosphere Swansea Foreshore 2 www.visitlakemac.com.au 3 welcome & contents contents 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 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 FAST FACTS 3 4 Shared pathway locations 11 2 3 4 12 5 1 12 7 12 8 6 9 10 1 Red Bluff Boardwalk: Booragul to Belmont 8 Rathmines 2 Barnsley to Holmesville 9 Wangi Wangi 3 Cardiff to Hillsborough 10 Bonnells Bay 4 Kotara to Newcastle 11 Wallsend to Glendale 5 Charlestown to Windale 12 Fernleigh Track: Belmont to Adamstown 6 Pelican to Swansea 7 Toronto to Fassifern 5 keys & symbols 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 Swansea Foreshore 6 Love to ride 6 www.visitlakemac.com.au 7 cycling checklist & cycling safety Cycling checklist – before you leave Before you set out here are a few must dos: Love • 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 to ride 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 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 7 8 Family time is fun on bikes Fernleigh Track 9 cycling safety & young cyclists Cycling safety – on the road For your safety and enjoyment, remember to follow these basic road rules: • Observe and obey all road rules. • 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 10 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) 11 shared pathways START/END POINT SPEERS POINT COCKLE BAY LAKE MACQUARIE WARNERS BAY BOORAGUL CITY ART GALLERY ELEEBANA CROUDACE BAY LAKE MACQUARIE VALENTINE BELMONT 12 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 13 shared pathways Map 3. Cardiff to Hillsborough CARDIFF SCHOOLS DOG SHOWGROUND 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 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 14 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 15 shared pathways Map 5.