There’s nothing better than going for a pleasant stroll on the weekend or to end a day at work. In Lake Macquarie you can walk along the coast, amongst calming bushland or alongside our namesake lake.
Here are some of the best walks in Lake Macquarie.
Fernleigh track (Lake Macquarie Rail Trail)
The 15-kilometre dog-friendly Fernleigh Track is one of Lake Mac’s most popular shared pathways. The trail follows the old Adamstown to Belmont train line, which was once used to transport coal from the mines in Lake Macquarie to the Port of Newcastle.
The flat walking and cycling track honours its history with interspersed interpretive panels and relics from the route’s railway past, and the highlight is a 181-metre-long curved tunnel (found around 2 kilometres from Adamstown), which is surrounded by lush forest and has featured in a number of TV commercials.
As you move between former train stations, you’ll meander through peaceful forests and past 10,000-year-old sand dunes.
Warners Bay foreshore shared pathway
Along Warners Bay foreshore you can admire many sculptures dotted along the waterfront and can wander onto the jetty for serene lake views.
From Warners Bay, you can follow a flat 3.5-kilometre walking trail to Speers Point. Depending on which way you walk, you can pop into a cafe or restaurant before or after your walk at Warners Bay, then, if you’ve got kids in tow, you can stop for playtime at the all-abilities Lake Macquarie Variety Playground at Speers Point. If you’re feeling energetic you can carry on to Booragul.
If you head in the other direction from Warners Bay, you can walk 2.1 kilometres to Eleebana Lions Park where there are sheltered barbecues and picnic tables. Part of this trail – the Redbluff Boardwalk – juts out over the water. This spot is particularly beautiful at sunset.
Green Point foreshore reserve
You can choose from a number of walking trails at Green Point – a reserve that connects the suburbs of Belmont and Valentine.
Green Point itself is a large grassy area on the shore of Lake Macquarie. For an easy stroll, you can stick to the foreshore and visit Cardiff Point for stunning water views. For a more challenging walk, a 7.7-kilometre circuit from the Shores Way car park passes Sea Eagle Park (where there’s a picnic area with barbecues), Rockyhigh Viewpoint (which is a bit of a local secret) and the Sea Eagle lookout.
Mount Sugarloaf
Mount Sugarloaf, or Warrawelong, also offers a number of walking trail options. You can either take the easy, paved summit loop walk or hike to Mount Sugarloaf’s summit to reach the highest vantage point in the Lake Macquarie region (you can see all the way to Newcastle and out to the Hunter area). Note there are some steep steps at the top.
Wallarah National Park (Coastal Walking Track)
Wallarah is a small national park that’s big on natural beauty. A walk through this park feels completely remote, even though it’s only 2 kilometres from Swansea, and offers great sea views.
The best walk in Wallarah National Park is arguably the Coastal Walking Track, which connects Caves Beach to the headland south of Pinny Beach. During winter you can sometimes see whales migrating along the coast, and during spring, wildflowers give a striking pop of colour.
Ken and Audrey Owens Walk
The 2.4-kilometre return Ken and Audrey Owens Walk at Redhead takes you through a precious ecological area of restored bushland, with freshwater wetlands and a swamp forest. Walking along the concrete and timber footpaths, you’ll pass beneath a low tree canopy then continue along the beach.
From the Ken and Audrey Owens Walk you can access the Owens Wetland Viewpoint, where you can look out over large sand dunes in front of Redhead Beach, and the Elevated Timber Bridge Viewpoint, which looks over Owen Creek.
The walk starts and finishes at the Webb Park Picnic Area and is suitable for prams and wheelchairs.
Boarding House Dam
You can complete the Boarding House Dam circuit in around 30 minutes, making it a great option if you want a relaxed walk along the creek. There are many rock formations along the way and an Insta-worthy, 120-metre long moss wall in the rainforest. Enjoy a picnic under the gum trees at the starting point near the car park.
For more ideas on what to do with your family in Lake Macquarie view our Visitor Guide and Map for free online here.