The Fernleigh Track is a multi-use rail trail near Belmont, New South Wales. The track was constructed in the way of the former Belmont railway line. The project is a joint venture between Newcastle City Council and City of Lake Macquarie. The track extends from Adamstown to Belmont over a distance of 15.5 km (10 mi). The railway closed in December 1991.[1] The first section between Adamstown and Burwood Road opened in 2003. Construction continued in stages with the final section between Jewells and Belmont completed in March 2011.[2]
The first section of the Belmont railway line opened in 1882 to Redhead with the line being extended to Belmont in 1917. At one stage there was talk of extending the line to Swansea.
A feature of the conversion of the former railway to a multi-use trail is the retention of many industrial heritage features. The trail passes through the brick-lined Fernleigh Tunnel under the Pacific Highway.
At the site of the former Kahibah station, the cycleway is crossed by the Great North Walk, a 250 km (155 mi) walking trail connecting Newcastle and Sydney. The track also passes through the centre of the Glenrock Lagoon catchment.[3][4]
- ^ Lambton Colliery closure causes abandonment of rail line Railway Digest February 1992 page 51
- ^ "Fernleigh track fully complete and open". ABC Newcastle. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
- ^ Fernleigh Track City of Lake Macquarie
- ^ Fernleigh Track Brochure City of Newcastle