The Fernleigh Track follows a former railway corridor south from Newcastle toward Lake Macquarie, turning old transport infrastructure into one of the area’s best cycling and walking routes. The path runs through cuttings, bushland, wetlands, and suburban edges, with a memorable passage through the old rail tunnel.
It is long enough to feel like a proper outing but easy to sample in sections. Hire or bring a bike if you can; the gentle grades and separated path make it a practical way to see a greener side of Newcastle beyond beaches and the working harbour.