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 . 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 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

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5 1 12 7

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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 ’s premier playground, voted the ‘Best Play Space in ’ 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. Charlestown to Windale

MYALL RD CHARLESTOWN

SEE MAP 3 HILLSBOROUGHTO RD CARDIFF

NEWCASTLE INNER CITY BYPASS PACIFIC HWY PACIFIC

BAYVIEW ST

ON ROAD HUNTER TO WARNERS SPORTS HIGH BAY 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 16 Map 6. Pelican to Swansea

PELICAN

POOL

SWANSEA BRIDGE SHOPPING RSL DISTRICT

SWANSEA

LIBRARY

SWANSEA HIGH Swansea START/END POINT SCHOOL 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 17 shared pathways Map 7. Toronto to Fassifern

START/END POINT

FASSIFERN

BLACKALLS PARK

SHOPS

TORONTO HIGH SCHOOL

YACHT CLUB

SWIM SHOPS Blackalls Park Greenway TORONTO AREA 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 18 Map 8. Rathmines

NATURE RESERVE BOAT RAMP & JETTY

RATHMINES BOWLING CLUB WAR MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND 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. 19 shared pathways Map 9. Wangi Wangi

WORKERS CLUB JETTY

JETTY WANGI WANGI BAY RSL CLUB CONTINUE BY ROAD TO WANGI POINT

SHOPS

DOBELL HOUSE

PLAYGROUND, SWIM AND START/END POINT BARBECUE AREA

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 , 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. 20

Map 10. Bonnells Bay to Morisset YARRAWONGAPARK RD

MORISSET

FISHERY POINT RD SHOPS FISHERY POINT RD

BONNELLS BAY MORISSET PARK RD 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 21 shared pathways Map 11. Wallsend to Glendale

GANNEY WALLSEND ROAD

NEWCASTLE LAKE MACQUARIE BOUNDARY

TAFE

HUNTER SPORTS STADIUM GLENDALE STOCKLAND START/END POINT 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.

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 22

Map 12. Fernleigh Track: Belmont to Adamstown

ADAMSTOWN HEIGHTS

CHARLESTOWN KAHIBAH

WHITEBRIDGE

DUDLEY

REDHEAD

JEWELLS

PACIFIC OCEAN BELMONT

LAKE MACQUARIE

START/END POINT BELMONT TAFE BELMONT LAGOON

Distinctly the most notable shared pathway in the region, the Fernleigh Track inspires walkers, cyclists and joggers from as far as 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. 23 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: • 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/ 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. 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. AM 13926 10/14