Explore the great outdoors with Newcastle's best walking tracks
With a pristine coastline and peaceful bushland in abundance, there's no shortage of natural beauty to explore around Newcastle.
If you’re thinking about stretching those legs and breathing in the fresh air, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to walking and hiking tracks around Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Happy exploring!
Newcastle
Blackbutt Circuit Walk
You might know Blackbutt Reserve for its cute animals and family-friendly picnic spots, but there's plenty of beautiful walks to do in the reserve too. Try the Tall Trees Walk, which is a great option for families.
Start point: Richley Reserve Car Park, Freyberg St
Length: 2.6km (circuit)
Fernleigh Track
The mighty popular walking and cycling track that connects Newcastle and Lake Macquarie is one of our area’s coolest shared pathways. The peaceful and scenic track takes you right past residential communities and through stunning bushland with nods to the track's past, including old railways and, of course, the Fernleigh tunnel!
Start point: Belmont (Railway Pde) or Adamstown (Train Station)
Length: 15km (one-way)
Hickson Street Track
Known as a hang gliding take-off spot and a favourite for picnickers, Hickson Street Lookout is also the starting point for a walk down to Burwood Beach. Whilst the descent is rather easy, be prepared for the steep short walk back up!
Start point: Hickson St, Merewether
Length: 500m (one-way)
Merewether Baths to Anzac Memorial Walk
The much-loved Bathers Way walk takes in some of Newcastle’s most iconic views. From Merewether Ocean Baths, past Merewether Beach, Dixon Park Beach, and Bar Beach up towards the winding staircase that leads to the Anzac Memorial Walk; this walk is probably Newcastle’s most scenic (and most popular).
Start point: Merewether Ocean Baths
Length: 3km (one-way)
Nobbys Beach – Newcastle Breakwall – Wickham
If you’re keen to REALLY get your hike on, just keep on walking once you reach Nobbys Beach out onto the Newcastle Breakwall before turning around and heading right towards Honeysuckle. With the city on your left and the harbour on your right, the flat walk is perfect for picking up that pace as you creep towards Wickham. Make it to the end? Treat yourself to a meal and a good coffee at Wickham Boatshed! If you fancy, you can keep going through to Maryville and along Throsby Creek until you end up at Islington Park.
Start point: Nobbys Beach
Length: 6.5km (one-way, including breakwall out-and-back)
Scotts Point Walk
Leading you through the heart of Hunter Wetlands National Park, the 2km track allows you to explore the area that's rich in history and nature. Wander down the boardwalk as you keep an eye out for the array of birds in the area. Make sure to pack a picnic because once you reach the end, you can set up at the well-established Riverside picnic area on the banks of the Hunter River.
Start point: Carpark (Scotts Way, Kooragang)
Length: 2km (one-way)
Shipwreck Walk
Live on the other side of Newcastle? Get those feet moving and see Newcastle from a different perspective as you make the 2km walk along Stockton’s breakwall, or as the locals call it, ‘Shipwreck Walk’.
Start point: King St, Stockton
Length: 2km (return)
Strzelecki Lookout to Nobbys Beach
Still got some energy after walking up to the Anzac Memorial Walk? Keep on walking and making your way down through King Edward Park and enjoy the other side of Newcastle. Overlook the harbour and the city as you make your way towards Newcastle Beach, past Newcastle Ocean Baths, and towards Nobbys.
Start point: Strzelecki Lookout
Length: 3km (one-way)
Throsby Creek Walk
This lovely little loop around the water that traverses Carrington and Maryville is a popular spot for walking, running, and bike riding. With a couple of playgrounds dotted along the track, and even a boardwalk through the mangroves, it's a walk that the little ones will love.
Start point: end of Tully St, Carrington
Length: 3.2km (circuit)
Looking for walking trails in Lake Macquarie, check out our 8 Best Walking Trails article around the lake and get walking.
Do you think we've missed somewhere? Email us!
