Lake Macquarie new nature trails aim to attract families to explore local wilderness

January 10, 2022

Environment / Parks / Recreation /

Lake Macquarie City Council’s ‘Explore Our Great Outdoors’ January program offers self-guided nature trails where participants scan QR codes to navigate the wilderness and learn more about their natural surroundings.

Sustainability Engagement Coordinator Chris Harle said the trails harnessed technology now familiar with everyone to help locals discover amazing flora and fauna on their doorstep that might otherwise go unnoticed.

The first walk will operate 10th-16th January, starting at Bennett Park in Valentine and winding through Green Point Foreshore Reserve.

The following week will see a similar trail established at Rathmines Park.

Harle advises “this is a fun, free, healthy and interesting activity that can be done in your own time, at your own pace, and with minimum COVID worries.

“Feedback received from the kids who have tested it so far has been really positive. They’ve enjoyed the treasure hunt feel of the walk, and came away with lots of new knowledge about our great outdoors.”

The trails are designed for children aged five and over, although Harle advises that children under 16 should be supervised by an adult. Each trail is about 1.7km long.

This year’s Explore Our Great Outdoors program features activities running through to 20th January.

They include:

Aboriginal dance sessions at Green Point on Tuesday 11th January
Stand-up paddleboarding for beginners at Warners Bay on Wednesday 12th January
A kite-making workshop at Charlestown Library on Wednesday 12th January
A ‘seagrass saunter’ at Wangi Wangi on Thursday 13th January
An evening disc golf session at Rathmines foreshore on Thursday 13th January
A beach safety workshop at Redhead Beach on Friday 14th January
African drumming sessions in Speers Point Park on Tuesday 18th January
A ‘rockpool ramble’ at Swansea Heads on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th January
An introduction to sailing at Toronto Royal Motor Yacht Club on Wednesday 19th January
A ‘dawn chorus’ birdwatching walk around Belmont Lagoon on Thursday 20th January

Bookings are essential for all activities apart from the self-guided nature trails. Many activities are free, while others are available for a minimal fee.

For more information go to lakemac.com.au

30th June 2021 - Lake Macquarie budget places focus on lifestyle and wellbeing

23rd November 2021 - Christchurch community encouraged to explore parks and walking trails not previously visited

14th October 2021 - Western Australia forum plans future of state’s trails industry

8th September 2021 - Campaign launched to promote Rockhampton’s mountain bike trails

12th July 2021 - Tasmania’s West Coast Council continues to deliver mountain bike trails

23rd June 2021 - AllTrails navigation platform helps Australians spend more time outdoors

3rd February 2021 - Mountain bike trails upgraded in Margaret River and Perth Hills

2nd February 2021 - New recreational trails opened in Myponga Reservoir Reserve

30th October 2020 - West Tamar Trails Strategy & Priority Trail Action Plans

7th October 2020 - New nature walking trails open in the Sunshine Coast hinterland

5th August 2020 - Funding announced for new parks, walking trails and open spaces in NSW

23rd September 2019 - NSW councils collaborate to develop new experience trails

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