Don't bother waiting for the train here at Belmont though. What had once been a coal and passenger line, is now a wonderfully innovative and useful track for cyclists and walkers alike. This was my first visit to see the track, a 45 klms drive from home.
Belmont station is at one end of this 15 klm. track, a collaborative eight-year project between both Lake Macquarie, and Newcastle city councils. Who wouldn't want to ride their bike along here?
Snipped from the Fernleigh Track brochure (because I couldn't have said it any better)
Such a welcome addition this must've been for local residents, to have such a fantastic recreational asset
so much green happening which is such a welcome addition if walking on a hot day to find sheltered spots along the way
Melaleucas (paperbarks) in their perfect swampy environment
Morning Glory, considered a weed because of its invasive, smothering nature. Shame about that side of it because it does look good I think.
looking over the open mesh fencing here from a timbered boardwalk section over Belmont Wetland State Park
what little Pacific Black Duck wouldn't want to live here?
Hello Purple Swamp Hen! It has to be the closest I've ever gotten to one of these waterbirds. Relaxed and obviously used to the passing parade; lucky for me.
During the relatively short walk on this day (must go back to do another section, another day), it was imperative to keep to the left and not to stray to the opposite side of the pathway without checking to see if a cyclist was nearing first.
even the fencing has been modified to allow for the spreading girth - just like adjusting your belt another notch :)
Enjoy the ride!
Lake Macquarie Council Fernleigh Track 2-page brochure is available here
17 comments:
really nice area. i like when they convert old rail lines to walking and biking trails. really nice for the community.
You have make nice photos!
Greetings, RW & SK
What a wonderful idea. Great to see and more cities should do this. I don't think I would be too welcomed at yours though...I'd be on the wrong side of the pathway all the time.
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful area.
Very well photographed, Carole.
Greetings Irma
Looks a great place to walk, cycle or bird watch - all three really. Those birs will soon get used to the passing people as long as they don't feel threatened.
In the UK Carole most duck and wildfowl are allowed to be hunted during the winter months. It's a throwback to the days of the "landed gentry" continued to this day. Shooters are also allowed to release birds on their own land for winter "sport".
Nice places and good photo's.....i like that blue flower very much.
Greetings, Joop
Great shots of your bike/hike trail. We have a similar trail here called the NCR trail. Cute shots of the duck and moorhen! Have a happy day!
wow, looks like such fun. take your bike with your friend or hubby ... & enjoy the day with your camera. such a ball, i bet. ( :
Pretty photos of a really nice place. Loved the ducks and Moorhen.
HI Carole. Well that was a great idea for a walking & cycle track. Loved the scenery.
Wonderful area! We have an old railroad bridge in downtown Salem, Oregon that crosses the Willamette River to West Salem called the 'Dollar Bridge' because it was sold to the city for one dollar. It has been converted to a walking/biking bridge from one side of the river to the other - each end is a park......lights up at night and is very attractive!.
Paper Hugs,
Jan
We have something similar here, but not with all the gorgeous scenery. It's nice to have a place without motorized vehicles. Great photos of the waterfowl!
I like how unused train tracks make way for riding and hiking. You saw some lovely sights. Thank you for sharing them.
So nice that you have the changes in the image shows that the years have taken place here over here :-)
what a great way to turn a place that isn't working into a new place that does!!
What a great series of a great landscape!
Warm greetings from the Netherlands,
dzjiedzjee.blogspot.com
Lovely serie of photos!
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