The best cycling routes in Hunter Wetlands National Park

Throsby Creek Cycleway is a lovely, flat pathway that hugs the foreshore of Throsby Creek through Wickham, Maryville, Carrington, and Islington. It's a paved route that passes mangroves, marinas, parks, and tidal wetlands, with beautiful views of the water, and connects with Newcastle's wider network of walking and cycling paths. Its easy grades and waterfront setting make it a great choice for walking, running or cycling away from traffic.

Throsby Creek is a restored waterway and estuary that was once nearly destroyed by industrialization. These days the creek is lined with shared-use paths, parks, and boardwalks. You can walk or cycle along the paths to nearby cafés, relax on the benches or open fields, enjoy a picnic at a park, or take the kids to a playground to burn off some steam.

Macquarie Pier forms the breakwall extending from the harbour toward Nobbys Head in Newcastle. Construction began in 1818 under Governor Lachlan Macquarie, originally using convict labour to connect Nobbys Island to the mainland. The structure helped create a safer harbour entrance by stabilising the sand and controlling wave movement.

This lookout looks directly toward Nobbys Lighthouse at the end of the headland. The perspective from the rocks places the lighthouse against the open ocean, with the breakwall leading your eye toward it. The name “Nobbys” comes from the rounded shape of the headland (originally an island before the breakwall was built), rather than a person. The lighthouse itself is still operational today, continuing to guide vessels entering Newcastle Harbour.

Lake Macquarie is the largest coastal saltwater lake in Australia, forming a broad, open water body surrounded by suburbs, parkland, and small inlets. From the shoreline, views stretch across long distances of water, often with boats, jetties, and changing light reflecting off the surface. It makes for a beautiful, breezy walk.

Nobbys Beach is one of Newcastle’s most prominent and accessible beaches, nestled at the entrance to the Hunter River near the iconic Nobbys Head and lighthouse. It’s well known as one of the safer swimming spots in the city, popular with families, beginner surfers, and walkers enjoying the adjacent breakwall and coastal paths. Surrounded by open parkland, benches, picnic areas, and shaded shelters, the beach is a great place to relax and spend the day, with beautiful views of passing ships. It is also a great place to start or finish the Bathers Way coastal walk.

The Former Belmont Railway Station serves as the terminus for the Fernleigh Track. Here are remnants of the old train tracks, a station platform, and a commemorative sign. This railway was converted into the Fernleigh Track, a rail trail that makes good use of the old corridor. Here you will also find the library and a little food stand to fuel up before or after your adventure.

The heritage-listed Newcastle Customs House was originally completed in 1877 and was in use as a customs house and other government facility until the 1989 Newcastle Earthquake. The building was heavily damaged during the tremor and was closed until major renovations and other seismic proofing work was completed. The building was reopened in 1995 as the Customs House Hotel.