Skip to content

Details

This is a free easy 21km guided bike ride at a leisurely, relaxed pace of 15km/hr, with pauses for photos. Suitable for most fitness levels. 20km on shared paths. Pedal slowly, enjoying the ocean views. Meet others, and soak up the scenery. New people very welcome!

Where we'll ride: Starting at Belmont, we cycle south along the Fernleigh Track to the scenic Blacksmiths Breakwall. We then continue on the Fernleigh Track to Swansea, doing a little loop of Swansea's waterside shared paths, plus a 5 minute walk along the Swansea Boardwalk at Pirrita island.

☕️Brunch: we then stop for brunch in Swansea at The Channel Cafe (see menu in photos below), before cycling back along The Fernleigh Track to finish at Belmont where we started. After brunch, feel free to head back to Belmont at your own pace.

Lake Macquarie fold-out cycling map. See page 2 for our route: https://www.lakemac.com.au/For-residents/Recreation/Walking-and-cycling

😎 This beautiful route is flat as a pancake. It's 20km on shared paths, plus a couple blocks of quiet streets.

☀️ Enjoy stunning coastline views from Blacksmiths to Redhead, as well as the gorgeous blues of the Swansea Channel, where Lake Macquarie meets the ocean.

✨ Option to make it a longer ride: if you're after a longer ride, you could start your ride at one of the entry points on the Fernleigh Track, and ride to Belmont. Here are those points, with the distance to Belmont in brackets: Adamstown Station (15km), Kahibah (12km), Whitebridge (10km), Redhead (6km) or Jewells (3km). I will be riding from Adamstown Station, at a moderate pace, leaving at 7:45am. Comment below if you are interested in joining me. This will total 51km return from Adamstown.

✨
Start/finish: meet on the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Path, at the Former Belmont Railway Station, corner of Gen St and Railway Parade, adjacent to Belmont TAFE

Start time: meet at 8:45am for a 9am departure
Finish time: approx. 12:45pm

Distance: 21km loop

Cycling fitness level: very easy/EASY to MEDIUM/hard/very hard (EASY topography, MEDIUM distance)

Pace: slow, leisurely, 15km/hr
Total active pedaling time: approx 1 hour 35 minutes
Topography: flat

✨
You’ll need:

  • bring minimum 1 litre of water; there are a couple of taps en route; it may be hot - hydration is crucial
  • sun protection
  • helmet
  • bike with good working brakes & tyres pumped to the recommended PSI
  • bike lock for when we stop, or to use in case of mechanical issue
  • phone & opal card are useful in case of puncture
  • a repair kit, if you have one (spare tube, tyre levers, patches, pump etc)
  • snacks

✨
Indemnity and release of liability
By participating in this activity you unconditionally indemnify the organiser/host against any and all claims, demands, losses, injuries, damages, liabilities or other costs, whether present or future, relating to your participation and/or dealings with Bike About Town - Newcastle, including but not limited to, any accident, loss or damage to property or death or injury to any person.

✨
Approximate schedule:
8:45am Meet at Former Belmont Railway Station
9am Depart Belmont
9:35am After 7km, arrive Blacksmiths Breakwall. Pause for photos/breather. Toilets & bottle-refilling tap here.
10:10am After 5km, arrive Swansea Boardwalk. Park and lock-up bikes. Walk 5 minutes along boardwalk. Enjoy the views. Toilets here.
10:35am Ride 2km from Swansea Boardwalk to The Channel Cafe.
10:45am Brunch at the cafe. Toilets here.
12pm Ride 7km back to Belmont.
12:30pm Finish

✨
Getting there

.
If the weather is looking unfavourable, check the comments below for updates; heavy rain may result in cancellation.
.

Transform your journey, ride & drive more safely & change Newy's street culture:

.
The Magic of Street Design:

.
Facebook https://facebook.com/BikeAboutTownNewcastleNSW
Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/tour/1831416099?ref=itd
Newcastle Cycleways Movement: https://www.newcastlecycleways.org.au/way-finding

The main aim of this group is to showcase quiet inner city routes & provide safe cycling principles for urban cycling. Add cycling to your transport repertoire. Cheap, quick, fun transport for everyday short trips to work, school, shops, beach 😁

Events in Belmont, AU
Bicycling
Cycling
Nature
Outdoors
Good Mental Health

Members are also interested in