Walking and cycling

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Lake Macquarie City offers cycling enthusiasts and pedestrians a variety of paths and routes to explore. Our shared pathways run through areas of natural beauty, including lakeside and forest environments, and are connected in places by on road access links.

Cycling Strategy

The Cycling Strategy 2021 was adopted in 2012, with a vision to create a more connected City and to embed a culture of cycling within the community. It makes recommendations for future works to create a comprehensive and continuous network of safe and attractive routes for cycling and to have suitable end-of-trip facilities at major destinations where possible. This will encourage the maximum amount of participation in commuter, recreational and tourist cycling.

Since the adoption of this Strategy, many walking and cycling projects have been delivered across the City, and continue to be delivered.

Major Projects

Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track (FAST)

Council is in the planning and design phase for the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track (FAST), a 3.5km shared pathway linking the end of the Fernleigh Track at Belmont with Blacksmiths Beach.

Find out more about FAST

Speers Point to Glendale Shared Pathway

Once complete, this 2.5km shared pathway between Speers Point and Glendale will link to the Wallsend Rail Trail, connecting cyclists in Lake Macquarie to bike routes that can take them to suburbs in Newcastle and community facilities such as the University of Newcastle.

Find out more about the Speers Point to Glendale Shared Pathway

Richmond Vale Rail Trail

The Richmond Vale Rail Trail is a proposed 32-kilometre cycling and walking track along the former Richmond Vale rail line between Kurri Kurri and Hexham, along the former Chichester to Newcastle water pipeline between Shortland and Tarro, and through the Hunter Wetlands National Park.

The rail will traverse through several local government areas, including Cessnock, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle.

Find out more about the Richmond Vale Rail Trail

Shared pathways/cycleways

Bareki Road, Eleebana to Valentine

We are undertaking an options assessment to determine the feasibility of a shared pathway to fill the ‘missing link’ of this iconic lake foreshore pathway between Eleebana and Valentine.

Find out more about the project

Bay Vista Road, Brightwaters

Construction of a 3m-wide shared pathway is underway at Bay Vista Road, Brightwaters. The 1.1km of shared pathway will provide a connection for pedestrians and cyclists from Bonnells Bay to Brightwaters, linking to the Morisset to Bonnells Bay shared path.

Works are expected to be completed in February 2021, weather permitting. The project is proudly funded by the NSW Government and Council.

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Charlestown to Whitebridge (Fernleigh Track) and Dudley cycle route

We are completing a feasibility assessment of route options to provide a viable active transport option that links Charlestown to the Fernleigh Track.

Find out more about the project
 

Fast-track projects

We are fast-tracking design and construction of several projects identified within Development Contribution Plans across the City, starting with:

  • Shared pathways at Winding Creek, Waterview Road and Myall Road, Cardiff
  • Cardiff to Glendale shared pathway
  • Glendale to Cameron Park shared pathway (Northlakes Way Cycleway)
  • Intersection and road upgrades including shared pathway at Minmi Road, Edgeworth and Cameron Park
  • Intersection upgrade and footpaths at Main Road and Wallsend Road, Cardiff Heights

Find out more about these works.

Fernleigh Track fences

Council is undertaking repair work to fences along the Fernleigh Track.

Lakelands Shared Path Upgrade

This project involves the replacement of the existing aged shared path, between Biddabah Public School to Lakelands Drive via Medcalf Street, Warners Bay. The path will be realigned and straightened and the old path converted to a simple track for walkers. This project has been made possible thanks to Federal Government funding through the Local Road and Community Infrastructure fund.

The project is currently being designed and construction is expected in the second quarter of 2021.

New lighting along Speers Point to Warners Bay Shared Path

This project has been made possible thanks to Federal Government funding through the Local Road and Community Infrastructure fund.

The project will see the installation of lighting on one of the City’s most popular shared paths, from North Creek to Fairfax Road, Warners Bay.

Works are expected to be completed by the end of June 2021.

Footpaths, crossing facilities and bus stops

Bus stop improvement program

We will be undertaking upgrades to various bus stops around the City to meet disability standards. This project is supported by NSW Government grant funding.

Footpaths and crossing facilities

We are constructing new footpaths and crossing facilities at: 

  • Charlestown, Algona Road, new footpath
  • Dudley, Ocean Street, new footpath as part of road reconstruction
  • Morisset, Yambo Street and Station Street, pedestrian crossings and kerb extensions
  • Speers Point, Barford Street, new footpath as part of road rehabilitation
  • Teralba, Anzac Parade and York Street, pedestrian crossings and kerb extensions
  • Toronto, Awaba Road, new footpath
  • Toronto, The Boulevarde, footpath upgrade on southern side of road between Cook Street and Milford Street
  • Whitebridge, Warners Bay and Glendale, 40km/h reduced speed high pedestrian activity areas
  • Wangi Wangi, Watkins Road, new footpath as part of road rehabilitation
  • Wyee, Rutleys Road, road widening to include shoulders for confident cyclists as part of road rehabilitation project

Council also planning and designing:

  • New footpaths from Blackalls Park School to Rhodes Street, Blackalls Park
  • New footpaths and pedestrian refuge on James Street and Wakal Stree, Charlestown
  • Pedestrian crossing and refuge at the intersection of Ridley Street and Smith Street, Charlestown
  • New footpaths and pedestrian refuge at Sydney Street, Goundry Street, Oxford Street, Casey Street and The Crescent, Gateshead
  • Road reconstruction, drainage upgrade and footpath at Sunshine Parade, Sunshine
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