The Fernleigh Track starts in suburbia but rapidly disappears into a railway corridor where only bellbirds break the silence. It is rightly popular with locals and visitors alike

The main sections of the trail are:

Adamstown to Whitebridge (6km): The trail climbs gently up to the brick-lined Fernleigh Tunnel and then runs through bushland in the Glenrock State Conservation Area.

Whitebridge to Redhead (4.5km): From Whitebridge, the trail gently descends to Redhead through native bush.

Redhead to Belmont (5.5km): This section is basically flat and the scenery predominantly coastal bushland.

There are car parks at Whitebridge, Redhead, Jewells and Belmont if you want to tackle shorter sections.

For public transport options scroll down to GET AROUND below.

Adamstown to Whitebridge (6km)

• Access: From the car park on the south side of Adamstown Station, head south-west on the shared path along Park Ave to the roundabout at the junction of Park Ave and Bailey St, which needs care
• You’re now on the rail trail proper but must cross a busy connector between Park Ave and Brisbane Water Rd, 700m from the start in Kotara
• The trail climbs on a slight gradient to the 180 m Fernleigh Tunnel under the Pacific Hwy. It has a concrete floor
• It then runs through bushland past Kahibah Station site in the Glenrock State Conservation Area
• The next major crossing point, at Burwood Rd, has pedestrian-activated lights
• Considerable traces of the original railway and the coalmines it served can be found along this stretch, including Kahibah Station site and Burwood Colliery Dam. Interpretive signage tells the story of the mines and railway
• Water and toilets are available at Whitebridge Station, which is the high point of the trail.

Whitebridge to Redhead (4.5km)

• The trail runs along an embankment through the Jewells Wetland, which must have been a challenge to build
• The restored platform at Redhead is a major feature as there was a crossing loop here for the passenger trains to pass coal ones. Now ‘up’ and ‘down’ trail traffic take opposite sides of the platform
• Turn left at Cowlishaw St if you wish to ride 1.5km to Redhead Surf Beach (signposted), for shops and cafes
• There is water and toilets at Liles Oval.

Redhead to Belmont (5.5km)

• Kalaroo Rd must be crossed just before reaching the Jewells Station platform, where water is available
• The platform and surrounds at Belmont have had considerable landscaping and interpretive signage.
• The rail trail finishes in Railway Pde, a few hundred metres from the picturesque Lake Macquarie harbour
• Belmont is the best place along the trail to buy refreshments, with a range of places to eat and drink.

CONNECTING PATHS

Fernleigh Awabakal Track (11km): This shared path extends from Belmont to Blacksmiths and has a wide concrete surface. The highlights are the boardwalks over the Belmont Lagoon wetlands, just after Belmont Station, and the structural sculptures that are part of it . Once Belmont South is reached the trail diverts around the golf course and is beside the Pacific Hwy.

Great North Walk (250km): If you have a bit of time on your hands, you can tackle the Great North Walk from the entrance on the right, just after the Kahibah Station site.