Cycling in Newcastle
Newcastle City Council has an extensive off and on-road cycleway network within the city.
You can view a map of cycleways (1Mb pdf) around Newcastle.
Read our Newcastle Bike Plan 2009 (4.88Mb pdf) and learn about our plans to provide a safe and convenient network of cycleways and improve conditions for cyclists on a regional and local level.
Fernleigh Track
The Fernleigh Track (38.3 kb pdf) is a disused railway corridor between Adamstown and Belmont. The track is long, direct, relatively continuous and flat. It provides a peaceful and scenic walking and cycle track for people of all fitness levels.
Beach and Harbour Ride
From Merewether Beach follow the Bathers Way Coastal Walk past six enticing sandy beaches to Nobby’s Beach. Signage along the way reveals engaging tales of Newcastle's indigenous and convict heritage, culture, lifestyle and natural history.
Catch a ferry to Stockton
The Ferry Terminal is situated at Queens Wharf along with the lively Brewery and a selection of cafés and restaurants. Board the ferry and take up a spot on the deck where you can enjoy the harbour sights and one of the best views of the City of Newcastle on the short ride to Stockton.
Cycle along the breakwall
Follow the cycleway around the harbour and out along Stockton breakwall. Along the breakwall, known as Shipwreck Walk, you will find the skeleton of the barque Adolphe and plaques commemorating some of up to 120 ships wrecked trying to negotiate heavy seas at the entrance to Newcastle Harbour between 1805 and 1905.
Ride past Stockton beach and out to Fern Bay or to Stockton’s main street where you can stop for a coffee and a bite to eat before returning to the ferry. If you would like to extend your ride continue through the quite countryside of Fullarton Cove to visit Fighter World Museum at Williamstown RAAF base.
Once back at Queens Wharf, return to Merewether via Newcastle East choosing either Darby Street and its lively café culture and fashionable boutique shopping or the charming back streets of Cooks Hill where you will discover private art galleries and inviting pubs.
Distance: 30km
Ride Time: 1 ˝ Hours
Grade: Easy
Nature Trail
From Newcastle Race Course take Lambton Road towards Blackbutt Nature Reserve where you can take a stroll through this natural oasis, viewing wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos, emus, wallabies, wombats and many varieties of Australian bird species.
Explore nature trails
Follow St James Road via Lambton Park onto the off road cycle way through Jesmond Bushland. Follow the cycleway and then Sandgate Road to Shortland Wetland Centre where you can explore nature trails by foot or take to the water in a canoe observing a host of wetland creatures in their natural environment.
Meander through the mangroves
Returning to Hamilton, take the bushland cycleway through the grounds of Newcastle University. Travel through the suburbs of Mayfield, Waratah, Georgetown and Hamilton North on your way to the Throsby Creek Boardwalk.
Meander through the mangroves until you find yourself in the quaint suburb of Carrington. Ride through its quite streets lined with miners cottages before taking the Elizabeth Street bridge over to the Fish Co-op and back along the cycleway past Honeysuckles new Linwood residential development.
You are now on your way back to Hamilton via Islington Park. Before returning to the Race Track, stop in busy Beaumont Street and settle back for a coffee and a snack at one of the many cosmopolitan cafes or restaurants.
Distance: 45kms
Ride Time: 2 ˝ hours
Grade: Medium
