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NSW and ACT
- Glendale to Wallsend Cycleway
Trail
Glendale to Wallsend Cycleway
Type: | Rail trail |
Location: | Between the Newcastle suburbs of Glendale and Wallsend |
Start/end: | Frederick St Glendale to Wallsend |
Status: | Open |
Length open: | 8.5km |
Surface: | Sealed |
Terrain: | Suburban undulating |
Best seasons: | All |
Public transport: | Train, Bus |
Contact Region: | Newcastle Area |










Details
Features
- This is a new high quality rail trail featuring a variety of landscapes from suburbia to dense bushland.
- The trail links to other cycleways that give mainly traffic free access to the city and other suburbs.
- The rail trail is gently graded.
- Preserved railway memoriabilia at Wallsend Station site
Description
Access Points
The following are major access points
- Glendale – Fredrick St North (Parking at TAFE)
- Wallsend - Cowper St car park
- Jesmond - Illora St
- Lambton – Howe St West
Glendale to Wallsend (3km)
The trail climbs on a slight gradient passing through bushland. It then runs through rural grassland behind retirement villages.
- From the north end of Frederick St head north from Glendale TAFE car park to start of the trail.
- Follow the trail as it winds over gentle hills and through the tunnel under Newcastle link Rd..
Wallsend to Jesmond (3.5km)
This section is basically flat and passes two suburban shopping centres. It following the line of both disused colliery rail lines and the tramway. It runs along a suburban St before crossing busy Newcastle Rd at Traffic lights
- Take care crossing roads at Wallsend and again at Jesmond.
- Note the restored railway shed and old coal wagon at Wallsend.
Jesmond to Lambton (2km)
After crossing a busy road you enter the quiet leafy Jesmond park following a long embankment before climbing over a low section of Lambton hill and Howe St lights.
- Take care crossing Robinson Ave - especially if approaching it down hill.
- This ride can be extended picking up cycle ways that pass though Broadmeadow parks, and Islington to Carrington thence along the waterfront to Newcastle's Nobby's lighthouse.
Background Information
This trail follows an old tram route that went from Newcastle to Wallsend between 1910 to 1930.
The tramway opened in the 1910. It was the longest line of the extensive Newcastle tramways. Featuring steam driven trams that passed down suburban streets and miles into bushland. The terminus was at West Wallsend a coal mining village some 20 kms from Newcastle. A branch line also reached Spears Point on Lake Macquarie . Spears point park was popular venue for work and community picnics for the residents of Newcastle. The electrification of the Newcastle tram system reached Wallsend in 1926. The steam powered trams were uneconomic and lines beyond Wallsend closed late in 1930 .Place names such as Plattsburg and Young Wallsend have disappeared along with most of the evidence of this line.
Links
To report damage or problems contact the Newcastle City council click on link below
For further information, including maps, on walking and cycling trails in tis area click on link below
May 2012
To advertise your rail trail support business on this page, please click here.
Contact Us About This Trail
Email or click here: nsw@railtrails.org.au.
Photos
Glendale to Wallsend Cycleway - Photos
Comments
Comments
05 December , 2019 by Martincousins
I walked this trail on a Sunday afternoon in August 2019 and agree with March 2016 comments by cascho. Section from Glendale to Wallsend through nice bushland also passes a historic mine site. Several cyclists, walkers and joggers were also out. The section from Wallsend to Jesmond is flatter and provides links to Newcastle Uni, Wallsend and Jesmond shopping centres, Jesmond Park and beyond. It is likely a popular commuter route for some as the trail avoids a steep and busy section of Lake Road.
26 March , 2016 by cascho
I rode this trail this morning (26/3/16) with my brother, as part of doing the three main rail trails around Newcastle. This is a really great trail with good sealed surface suitable for all types of bikes. Actually it’s a very busy trail, with a lot of local riders using it. The best section is between Glendale and Wallsend through the bushland and the new housing developments. While it is a climb either way, the gradient is not difficult and it’s easy to pick up a bit of speed on the downhill. I highly recommend this rail trail. Around the shopping centres there was a lot of traffic and it was hard to cross the roads, given that no drivers’ give way. So other riders please be careful.
News
News
NSW continues the momentum for developing cycling facilities
(Posted: 19/06/20)
Lake Macquarie and Newcastle City Councils are showing what can be done when it comes to building great facilities, including rail trails, for cyclists.
More...Glendale to Wallsend Rail Trail Opening
(Posted: 15/06/12)
This 4km rail trail near Newcastle officially opened on June 1st.
More...