Top 5 Newcastle Bike Tracks and Cycleways

Two-wheel enthusiasts keen to take in scenic views of Newcastle, including key locations around the coast, or visitors wanting to roll along quiet back streets and discover hidden urban gems, there is a bike ride with your name on it.

So, let's discover the beaches and CBD, and then beyond.

Our city's well-maintained paths wind through stunning coastal landscapes, peaceful bushland, and vibrant urban spaces, making it easy to discover Newcastle's charm on two wheels.

This guide will help you navigate our city's best cycling routes, from family-friendly paths to more challenging trails, ensuring you can plan your perfect cycling experience in Newcastle, New South Wales.

This popular route follows along the south edge of Newcastle Harbour and continues upstream to the mangrove-lined Throsby Creek. There are plenty of spots along the way to stop for a bite to eat or to let the kids loose on a playground.

Overview: 6.5 km, easy, family-friendly, flat, partly shaded with minimal street crossings.

Key destinations: Honeysuckle dining precinct, pirate ship and Islington park playgrounds, Newcastle Fisherman's Co-op and Yacht Club, and Carrington mangroves.

Let's go: Start across the road from Newcastle Foreshore Park at the Nobbys carpark. Pass the historic 'Cornish Dock' at the Port Authority, and continue along the car-free Tugboat Lane. From here you mainly share the promenade with pedestrians, however, just before you reach Queens Wharf Hotel you divert to the left to use the separated cycleway, before joining back with the shared path, and continue towards Honeysuckle.

At Honeysuckle you will pass many cafes, restaurants, and pubs, so this is a great location to stop for morning tea or lunch. You will then continue past apartments and the Pirate Ship Playground towards Wickham and the 'Tree of Knowledge'. Continue north past Newcastle Yacht Club's floating marina and the Fishermen's Co-op. Historical signage tells you the tales of these waterways and you can learn some Awabakal language along the way.

Just past the Co-op, use the old wooden bridge, often lined with fishermen, to pass under Carrington Bridge and continue north past Linwood Estate and around Throsby Creek. The trail then takes you across Hannell Street at the traffic signals. Artworks adorn this section of the streets in Maryville, before you cross William Street towards the final section to Islington Park, riding between the gorgeous gum trees and tranquil water.

Hot tip: Take a break at one of the many cafes and restaurants along the Honeysuckle Dining Precinct.

Following an old railway corridor through dense bushland and wetlands, the Fernleigh Track connects cyclists with Adamstown to the eastern side of Lake Macquarie. It's a car free, relatively flat ride, which has become a quintessential trail experience. From bellbirds to bicycle bells, the track is always busy with bike riders from all skill levels, nature loving toddlers to Lycra clad speedsters.

Overview: 16km, family-friendly, gradual but long slopes, mostly shaded by the tree canopy, very few road crossings.

Key destinations: Railway tunnel, Glenrock State Conversation Area, Redhead Beach, and Belmont Wetlands and Foreshore.

Let's go: Riding from the Adamstown end, just along from Adamstown Train Station, the Fernleigh Track has a gentle incline. Not long into the ride you will cross Dibb Street, then after a short distance pass some exercise equipment to your left.

Up ahead is the historic Fernleigh Tunnel that crosses under the City Road ridge line; a restored 181m-long picturesque railway tunnel, it marks the connecting point between the cities of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle, and from there, you enter the forest where the incline gradually flattens.

When you reach the Burwood Road crossing, you can leave the track and turn left towards an access point to Glenrock State Conservation Area, which has mountain bike trails and the Yuelarbah Walking Track. Otherwise, cross at the Burwood Road traffic lights and continue along to Whitebridge where you will ride under the Dudley Road bridge. From here the gentle decline begins, so enjoy the glide down towards Redhead.

You can leave the track at the old Redhead Train Station and make your way to Redhead Beach or continue towards Belmont and the newly opened wetlands and Belmont Lagoon raised section. If you have the time and energy, continue past Belmont Lagoon through to Swansea and beyond. Otherwise, this is an ideal section to take a break and refresh, before making the return trip back to Adamstown.

Find out more: Why you need to hit the Fernleigh Track this year.

Bathers Way is one of the most iconic routes in Newcastle and indeed NSW, providing sweeping views of Newcastle’s pristine coastline and access to all five patrolled beaches along this stretch of coast. You can also access the Newcastle Memorial Walk from Strzelecki Lookout, then return to Memorial Drive to continue the path, and also discover our ocean pools and baths.

Overview: 7.5 km (including Macquarie Pier), hilly, family-friendly, limited road crossings. An alternative route is offered for those wishing to avoid hills, but are happy to ride on short sections of busy roads.

Key destinations: Nobbys Lighthouse, Nobbys Beach and Macquarie Pier (AKA the Break Wall), Cowrie Hole and Newcastle Ocean Baths, King Edward Park, South Newcastle Beach and Empire Park Skate Parks, the Bogey Hole and Merewether Baths, Newcastle, Bar, Dixon Park, and Merewether Beaches.

Let's go: Start at Macquarie Pier, known to locals as 'the breakwall', where the Nobbys Beach bike path passes behind Nobbys Beach and Nobbys Lighthouse. Take in the views and then return along the pier to continue south around the coast, past the Soldiers Baths and the Cowrie Hole towards Newcastle Ocean Baths, the Canoe Pool, and Newcastle Beach with Fort Scratchley overhead.

Insider tip: Adventurous riders can detour through South Newcastle Skate Park before the Bathers Way takes you through the majestic King Edward Park.

At this point, Bathers Way includes some hill sections. So, if you would prefer to avoid hills, head through the tunnel at Newcastle Beach (alongside The Kiosk), which takes you to Pacific Park. From here you can cycle an alternative route through the Newcastle back streets. At the top of King Edward Park, and past the Bogey Hole, you will arrive at Shepherds Hill Cottage, before riding to Strzelecki Lookout. This is the high point of the ride.

Cyclists then descend Bathers Way towards Newcastle's southern beaches, first passing Bar Beach. You've reached Dixon Park Beach after a short sharp uphill and downhill section. Keep riding towards Merewether Beach, where Bathers Way concludes shortly after at Merewether Ocean Baths.

Pop your bike on the ferry and head across the harbour to Stockton. Sweeping around from Stockton beach with views of the harbour and on towards the mangroves, the Stockton Foreshore path is a peaceful bike ride with magnificent panoramas of the city, the sea, and the river. For stress-free, family-friendly cycling routes in NSW, they don't get much better than this.

Overview: 6.5 km, easy, flat, family-friendly, single road crossing (option to stop prior).

Key destinations: Stockton Breakwater & Wharf, Stockton Local Centre, Pool, and Sandspit, Adolphe Shipwreck, Fern Bay, Griffith Park Playground & Skate Park.

Let's go: Start from Stockton Wharf and follow the shared path along the harbour towards Shipwreck Walk and the breakwall. On your right, you will have views of Newcastle, Macquarie Pier, and Nobbys Lighthouse. On your left, you will pass the Aldophe Shipwreck with a viewing platform and be able to look out across Stockton Beach.

Loop back along the breakwall towards Stockton Wharf and Griffith Park where you can continue to Stockton Bridge. This section of the ride passes through parklands, provides excellent views of Newcastle's working harbour, and takes you along Mangrove-lined sections frequented by birdlife.

As you approach Stockton Bridge, you can cross Fullerton Street near the roundabout and continue to Fern Bay past the Stockton Cemetery. Alternatively, you can return along the path to the Ferry Terminal or head into the quiet back streets and make your way towards the local pubs and cafés.

Did you know? Stockton is only 5 minutes across the harbour from Newcastle with unique accommodation options, including the Stockton Beach Caravan Park.

Glenrock State Recreation Area is the ultimate mountain bike experience in Newcastle. If you do not have a mountain bike, you can still explore some sections of the park, such as some management trails and Gun Barrel Road. However, mountain bikes will handle the varied terrain throughout Glenrock the best.

There are 34km of mountain bike trails winding around the slopes of Glenrock, passing along some of the creeks and ridgelines, and down towards sections offering views of Burwood Beach and Glenrock Lagoon. Visit year-round for nature-packed action. Distance and routes vary. The extensive list of trails is available at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au, which includes a downloadable map and outlines each track's difficulty levels. Get more information about Glenrock Mountain Biking Trails and plan your ultimate route.

Please note: Some of the tracks are shared with hikers, so take extra care to slow down near people.

Public transport is a great way to extend the range of your journey.

Newcastle trains are part of the NSW Intercity Rail network and there are direct links to Sydney, Maitland, Dungog, and Scone. There are no extra fees or charges to travel with a bicycle on these services. However, depending on the train, you may need to look for a bicycle symbol to find a carriage where you can store your bike. Older trains may require you to hang your bike by the wheel, which can be difficult for e-bikes.

Accessing Stations — Broadmeadow, Hamilton, Adamstown, Waratah (L), Warabrook (L), Beresfield (L) and Newcastle Interchange are all accessible train stations with ramps and lifts (L). Accessing other stations, including Kotara, Sandgate, Hexham, and Tarro, requires you to lift your bike up and down stairs.

Broadmeadow is the major regional interchange station for the North Coast and North West regional Trainlink services. For New South Wales regional trains and coaches, you must book, box, label, and check in your luggage before travel. Some smaller folding bikes with a cover are permitted. Search 'luggage on NSW trainlink' on www.transportnsw.info for up-to-date information.

Fold-up bikes are permitted on Newcastle Light Rail; however, standard bikes are not. Search 'travelling with bikes and surfboards' on www.transportnsw.info for detailed information.

Bikes are not permitted on NSW public buses; however, the driver may accept some folding bikes with covers.

Bikes are permitted on the Stockton Ferry. However, the number of bikes per trip is limited. Ask the crew where to store your bike for the crossing.

When arranging the transport of bikes by taxi, or similar services, with or without the passenger, contact the booking service to discuss options.

Bike Hire throughout Newcastle region may be available through local bike shops and some bike share systems have operated in the area, like Flash E-Bikes at The Station.

Get comfortable on your saddle — Adjust your bike seat so that your leg is almost straight when your pedal is down the bottom. Wear appropriate clothing, including gloves in winter. Be aware of the harsh Australian sun; stay covered, wear sunscreen, and avoid riding in the heat of the day, particularly in summer. Always carry plenty of water and snacks.

Know the rules of the road — Be aware that in Australia we ride and drive on the left side of the road, and everyone must wear a helmet when riding. Plus, there are a few other rules particular to cycling available. Search 'bicycle safety and rules' at www.nsw.gov.au

Take care of each other — Be kind and patient on shared paths. Always take the time to slow down and let people know you are coming and ring your bike bell when possible. When passing others, it is common to give people a smile or a wave and thank them for sharing the path with you.

Don't get to know the locals too well — You may come across birds and other wildlife as you ride. Please don't feed any native animals and be aware that Magpies (black and white birds) tend to swoop cyclists, particularly during the spring months, see www.magpiealert.com.

Take a lock and explore more — We recommend that you always lock up your bike before leaving it unattended. A decent sized lock will deter most thieves, so you can take the opportunity to explore by foot or have a bite to eat.

Carry some tools for minor repairs — It is always a good idea to have a pump, a spare tube, and a multi-tool with you on your riding adventures. Or a mobile phone to call for assistance.

Newcastle's extensive network of cycleways offers year-round opportunities for both locals and visitors to explore our beautiful city on two wheels! Whether you're enjoying a beautiful coastal route, discovering our urban trails, or challenging yourself on our mountain bike tracks, each journey promises spectacular views and unforgettable moments in and around Newcastle.

If you're planning to explore multiple trails, Newcastle offers a variety of accommodation options to suit every budget, making it easy to transform your cycling adventure into a memorable getaway.