Fernleigh Track

A paved shared path for walkers, cyclists and runners on the old Adamstown to Belmont coal railway, linking Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. The official Adamstown to Belmont path is about 15.9km, built between 2003 and 2011; a 3.5km extension (opened 2024) continues to Blacksmiths Beach. It is mostly flat, well used, and passes through the 181m Fernleigh Tunnel and several preserved railway relics.

From Adamstown the track heads south through Kahibah and Whitebridge to the Fernleigh Tunnel (the boundary between Newcastle and Lake Macquarie), then climbs gently to the high point near Whitebridge, runs through the Awabakal Nature Reserve to Redhead and Jewells, and finishes near Belmont. Belmont to Adamstown is the easier direction (mostly downhill). Toilets are at Redhead and Belmont, with parking, water and cafes at the main access points. The track is a mix of suburban and bushland. Measured track length is 17.5km.