13 wonderful walks in Lake Macquarie for families
| Walk | Best for | Distance | Pram-friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warners Bay Sculpture Walk | Prams, cafés and playgrounds | 2km one-way | Yes |
| Fernleigh Track | Easy shared path walking | Up to 15.5km | Yes |
| Cooranbong Swing Bridge Walk | Creek views and curious kids | Approx. 2.5 to 3km return | Sturdy prams in dry weather |
| Yuelarbah Walk, Glenrock | Rainforest and older kids | 6.8km return full walk | Start only |
| Ken and Audrey Owens Walk | Playground and coastal wetlands | Approx. 2.5km return | Yes |
| Awabakal Nature Reserve | School-aged bushwalkers | Approx. 5km one-way | No |
| Green Point Foreshore | Lake views and picnics | Choose your distance | Main sealed path only |
| Pirrita Island Boardwalk | Short accessible outing | Approx. 250m boardwalk | Yes |
| Murrays Beach Walk | Quiet pram walk | Up to 3.9km one-way | Yes |
| Galgabba Point Walk | Peaceful bush and lake views | 3.2km return | Sturdy prams in dry weather |
| Belmont Lagoon Walk | Birdlife and nature | Approx. 4.3km | No |
| Belmont Wetlands State Park | Wildflowers and bush trails | Various | Some sturdy-pram sections only |
The Fernleigh Track
Distance: Choose your section, up to 15.5km
Pram-friendly: Yes
Best for: Prams, scooters, bikes and easy family walks
Our top tip: Head out early on weekends if you want a quieter walk with the pram.
The Fernleigh Track is one of the easiest Lake Macquarie walks to enjoy with young children, mainly because you can choose to stroll for as little or as long as you like.
This wide, paved shared path follows a former rail line between Belmont and Adamstown, with gentle grades that make it a great spot for prams. The Lake Macquarie sections near Belmont and the Awabakal Nature Reserve are especially good for a relaxed outing.
Older kids may enjoy spotting old rail features along the way, including the tunnel under the Pacific Highway. Just remember it’s a shared path, so keep little ones close and watch for cyclists.
Cooranbong Swing Bridge Walk
Distance: 3km return
Pram-friendly: Yes, in dry weather
Parking: Sandy Creek Track car park or nearby street parking, Cooranbong
Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers
Our top tip: Bring snacks, water and insect repellent, as facilities are limited on the track.
The Cooranbong Swing Bridge Walk is a flat, peaceful little adventure that feels exciting without being too hard. The track follows Sandy Creek through quiet bushland, with water views, shady sections and a timber swing bridge that kids will probably want to cross more than once.
There’s plenty for children to notice along the way, from birds and insects to creek crossings and the surrounding bush.
It’s mostly flat, which makes it a good choice for young families. A sturdy pram should be fine in dry weather, but the track can get muddy after rain, so it’s worth saving this one for a clear day.
Glenrock Lagoon’s Yuelarbah Track
Distance: 6.8km return full walk
Pram-friendly: Only the raised boardwalk section at the start
Best for: Preschoolers in carriers, confident young walkers and school-aged kids
Our top tip: Use the boardwalk section as a short nature walk with little ones, then come back for the full walk when they’re older.
The Yuelarbah Track in Glenrock State Conservation Area is one of the most beautiful bush walks near Lake Macquarie. It’s best suited to kids aged four and up who are ready for a bit more of an adventure.
The full trail takes two to three hours and begins with a raised boardwalk that’s still well worth doing with babies and toddlers. It gives you a lovely taste of the coastal rainforest without committing to the full track, which includes some steeper, uneven sections.
You can wander through the shaded boardwalk section, listen for birds, enjoy the creekside setting, then turn back before the path becomes harder.
Families with older kids can continue towards waterfalls, Leichhardt’s Lookout, Glenrock Lagoon and Burwood Beach.
It’s a rewarding walk, but you’ll want proper shoes, water and enough time to take it slowly.
Warners Bay Sculpture Walk
Distance: Approx. 2km one-way from Eleebana to Warners Bay
Pram-friendly: Yes
Parking: Thomas H Halton Park or Croudace Bay Park, Eleebana
Best for: Prams, toddlers, scooters, cafés and playground stops
Our top tip: Finish at Warners Bay with a coffee, babychino or ice cream by the water.
The Warners Bay Sculpture Walk is one of the best pram-friendly and wheelchair-accessible walks in Lake Macquarie. It’s flat, paved and easy to follow, with beautiful lake views almost the whole way.
What makes this walk especially good for children is that there’s something special to marvel at as you go. This creative lake sculpture trail can serve as a little outdoor treasure hunt, with artworks dotted along the Warner’s Bay foreshore.
The overwater Red Bluff Boardwalk at the Eleebana end is another highlight, taking you right out above the ocean.
This walk also has practical facilities like toilets, cafés, open space and playgrounds nearby. You can keep it short, walk one way, or continue further towards Speers Point if everyone still has energy.
Ken & Audrey Owens Walk, Redhead
Distance: Approx. 2.5km return from Webb Park to the duck pond
Pram-friendly: Yes
Parking: Webb Park, Cain Street, Redhead
Best for: Playground time, wetlands and a beachside stroll
Our top tip: Enjoy watching the birds, but avoid feeding them (it’s better for the local wildlife).
The Ken and Audrey Owens Walk is a coastal trail that works like a breeze for families with young children. Starting near Webb Park playground in Redhead, the path winds through coastal vegetation, wetlands and boardwalk sections close to Redhead Beach.
It’s mostly flat and pram-friendly, and you can turn around whenever little legs have had enough. The duck pond and wetland areas give kids plenty to spot, including ducks, swamp hens, egrets and other birdlife.
Webb Park makes the outing even easier. Kids can have a play before the walk, after the walk or both. It’s perfect for mornings when you want some fresh air and a playground stop without overcomplicating the day.
A coastal walk in Awabakal Nature Reserve
Distance: Approx. 5km one-way
Pram-friendly: No
Parking: Ocean Street, Dudley or Redhead Surf Life Saving Club
Best for: School-aged kids, ocean views and wildflowers
Our top tip: Bring hats, sunscreen and water, especially on warmer days.
Awabakal Nature Reserve is best for families with slightly older children who are happy hiking on bush trails. The walking trail between Dudley and Redhead takes you through coastal heath, with spectacular ocean views, native bushland and wildflowers in season.
If your family enjoys a proper nature walk, this one feels wonderfully wild without being too far from home. Just plan ahead, as there aren’t many facilities once you’re on the track.
Please note that this isn’t a pram-friendly walk. Some sections can be sandy, uneven or narrow.
Green Point Foreshore
Distance: 7km
Pram-friendly: Main sealed path only
Parking: Green Point Reserve car park, Valentine
Best for: Lake views, picnics, scooters and relaxed family walks
Our top tip: Check the latest council updates before visiting, as sections of the reserve can be affected by weather or maintenance works.
Green Point Foreshore Reserve is a gorgeous stretch between Belmont and Valentine on the lake’s edge. The main sealed shared path is the best choice for prams, wheelchairs, bikes and scooters, with wide sections and lovely panoramas across Lake Macquarie.
You can keep this walk as short and simple as you like. Wander along the sealed path, stop for snacks, enjoy the lake views, then turn back when the kids are ready.
There are also picnic tables and open spaces throughout the reserve, which makes it easy to slow down and take breaks.
The dirt side trails are better for older kids and confident walkers. If you’ve got a pram, stick to the sealed path.
Pirrita Island Boardwalk
Distance: Approx. 250m
Pram-friendly: Yes
Parking: Pirrita Island car park, Swansea
Best for: Babies, toddlers, wheelchairs and short outings
Our top tip: Pair it with a coffee or snack stop around Swansea.
Pirrita Island Boardwalk is short, easy and surprisingly scenic. It’s a great option when you want to get out of the house but don’t have the time, energy or patience for a long walk.
This accessible boardwalk takes you through mangroves with views across Swansea Channel and Lake Macquarie. It’s suitable for prams, wheelchairs and toddlers who want to walk a little on their own.
Because it’s only brief, this walk is ideal for babies in prams, toddlers who tire quickly or families looking for a calm stop between errands.
Murrays Beach Walk
Distance: Up to approx. 3.9km one-way
Pram-friendly: Yes
Parking: Murrays Beach car park
Best for: Quiet pram walks, lake views and wildlife spotting
Our top tip: Keep dogs on a short lead and give wildlife plenty of space.
Murrays Beach Walk is a peaceful, picturesque walking track for families who want a quieter pram-friendly stroll around Lake Macquarie. The flat walking and bike path follows the lakeside through natural bushland, giving you plenty of greenery without a difficult track.
It’s a smart choice for babies in prams, toddlers on scooters or parents who just want an easy walk away from the busier foreshore areas. On quieter days, you may spot birds, lizards or other local wildlife along the way.
Walk as far as your family feels like going, then turn back. No pressure, no big climb, just a peaceful path by the lake.
Galgabba Point Walk
Distance: 3.2km return
Pram-friendly: Suitable for sturdy prams in dry weather only
Parking: Near Nioka Place and Old Pacific Highway, Swansea
Best for: Quiet bushland, lake views and nature-loving kids
Our top tip: Avoid this walk after heavy rain, especially with a pram.
Galgabba Point Walk is a quiet bushland walk on the Swansea side of Lake Macquarie. It’s less busy than some of the better-known foreshore paths, which makes it a lovely choice when your family needs a slower, more peaceful outing.
The walking track is mostly flat, but it’s still a natural surface with small rocks and uneven sections. A sturdy pram may be fine in dry weather, but a baby carrier is the better choice if you’re unsure.
This walk is all about the simple joys of getting back to nature. There are no big playgrounds or cafés on the track, so bring what you need and enjoy the birds, trees and lake views along the way.
Belmont Lagoon Walk
Distance: Approx. 4.3km
Pram-friendly: No
Parking: Belmont Lagoon Reserve or Ken Lambkin Reserve
Best for: Birdwatching, nature and school-aged children
Our top tip: Park near Ken Lambkin Reserve if you’d like easier access to toilets and a playground before or after the walk.
Belmont Lagoon is a serene nature reserve between Lake Macquarie and the ocean. The walking track around this lagoon offers bushland, water views, birdlife and a chance to explore a quieter side of Belmont.
It’s better for older children than for babies in prams. The surface can be uneven, wet or muddy after rain, so it’s not ideal for strollers.
For kids who enjoy nature, though, it’s a rewarding place to slow down and look for swans, ducks, kookaburras and other birdlife.
Belmont Lagoon also holds deep cultural significance for the Awabakal people and is known as the Teardrop of the Moon.
Belmont Wetlands State Park
Distance: Various walks available
Pram-friendly: Fernleigh Track is sealed and suitable. Sandy bush tracks aren’t suitable for standard prams.
Parking: Main entrance off Kalaroo Road, Redhead
Best for: Wildflowers, bush trails and older kids who like exploring
Our top tip: Visit in spring for the best chance of seeing wildflowers.
Belmont Wetlands State Park has a mix of walking options, from easy shared paths to sandy tracks and more adventurous dune walks.
For families with prams, the Fernleigh Track mentioned above is the easiest choice because it’s sealed, wide and simple to follow.
For young walkers who like a bit more adventure, the Wildflower Walk and Gilbey Track offer a more exciting bush experience. These tracks are more natural, so expect sandy dunes and uneven sections that may not suit a standard pram.
Older children may enjoy exploring further towards the dunes, but those sections are best saved for confident walkers. Bring water, hats and insect repellent, especially in warmer weather.
Boarding House Dam
Distance: 700m circuit
Pram-friendly: No
Parking: Boarding House Dam picnic area car park, Watagans National Park
Best for: Toddlers, school-aged kids, rainforest exploring and family day trips
Our top tip: Visit early if you’d like a quieter walk. Plus, the moss wall looks especially beautiful in soft morning light or on an overcast day!
Boarding House Dam Walk sits a little further out from the main Lake Macquarie foreshore walks, but it’s well worth including if you’re looking for a memorable family day out.
Tucked away in Watagans National Park, this short 700m circuit feels like a proper rainforest adventure without being too long for young children.
This walking track takes you across a timber bridge, beside a clear creek and past a beautiful moss-covered rock wall that feels almost magical.
There’s plenty for kids to notice along the way, from ferns and moss to water, leaves, insects and the sounds of the bush.
And when the time comes, the nearby picnic area makes it easy to turn this walk into a relaxed morning or lunch stop.
While it’s a great option for toddlers and school-aged children, it isn’t suitable for prams. Some sections can be muddy or uneven, and children should be closely supervised near the creek.
Note that as Boarding House Dam is located in Watagans National Park, dogs aren’t allowed. It’s also worth checking road conditions before you go, as access roads can change and may not always suit 2WD vehicles.
Find a play-based childcare centre in Gateshead
When you’re not enjoying the best walks in Lake Macquarie together, you may need childcare that supports your little one’s growth, curiosity, and love of nature.
Juniors Journey is a play-based early learning centre in Gateshead, conveniently located near Charlestown. We welcome children from 6 weeks to 6 years, offering long daycare and a government-approved preschool program from Monday to Friday, 6 am to 6 pm.
Led by qualified early childhood educators, our play-based learning programs are designed to help children discover the world around them in a fun and engaging way.
Get in touch with Juniors Journey today to learn more or book a tour.
