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This potential 10km rail trail would be a useful link between the small village of Awaba with its station on the Sydney-Newcastle rail line, and Wangi Wangi and other lake-side suburbs on the western shores of Lake Macquarie.
Its eastern end would be the disused and state heritage listed Wangi Wangi Power Station. On the way it passes through attractive bush and some deep cuttings.
Nearby Attractions
The major attraction of the trail, apart from the features en-route, is the lake-side suburbs of western Lake Macquarie and opportunities for water based recreation, sightseeing and dining.
Last updated: 28 November 2022
The trail would commence south west of the existing Awaba Railway Station. From there it quickly enters the bushland which is typical of the trail. Awaba Colliery site is reached after approximately 1km. There are several deep cuttings along the route.
At approximately 9km, or 1km from the eastern end at Wangi Wangi Power Station, the line passed over Wangi Road on a bridge which has since been removed.
Important note: This rail trail is not yet open. Much of the alignment is Crown Land.
Rail corridor Awaba to Wangi Wangi
Rail corridor Awaba to Wangi Wangi
Rail corridor Awaba to Wangi Wangi
Wangi Power Station. (Nov-2003)
Rail corridor Awaba to Wangi Wangi
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Information and Links
Further information about the history of the rail line, colliery and power station can be found at:
Contact Rail Trails Australia
To contact us about this rail trail, email nsw@railtrails.org.au
Background Information
Traditional owners
We acknowledge the Awabakal people, the traditional custodians of the land on which the rail trail is located.
Development and future of the rail trail
Development of the rail trail is greatly dependent on any development and reuse of the Wangi Wangi Power Station and/or surrounding areas. While developments have been proposed, it appears that these are still some way off. Lake Macquarie City Council considers the route to be a lower priority than many other potential cycle facilities in the LGA and there is no known local group actively pushing for this trail.
Rail line history
The line, which is a spur on the Sydney-Newcastle rail line, serviced the state heritage listed Wangi Wangi Power Station. It opened in 1954, the last train ran in 1972 and it was decommissioned in 1989. The power station itself operated between 1956 and 1986 and at one stage was the largest power station in New South Wales. Awaba State Coal Mine (later Awaba Colliery, now closed) on route supplied the power station. Much of the route is understood to be Crown Lands.
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Nearby Trails
Fassifern to Toronto Greenway Track
26 km from Newcastle
4 km
Fernleigh Track
135 km north of Sydney, 5km from Newcastle city centre
16 km
Glendale to Wallsend Tramway Track
13 km from Newcastle City
8.5 km
Richmond Vale Rail Trail
160 km north of Sydney, 12 km northwest of Newcastle
Lavender Bay “High Line”
Milsons Point to Waverton
Meadowbank Railway Bridge
15 km west of Sydney
0.5 km
Rosehill to Carlingford Railside Trail
Western Sydney, 23km from Sydney CBD
5 km
The Goods Line
2 km from the Sydney GPO
1 km
Pippita Rail Trail
19 km west of Sydney, near Sydney Olympic Park
Parramatta to Liverpool Railside Trail
25 km west of Sydney CBD
17 km
Como Bridge
20 km south of Sydney
2 km
Lapstone Knapsack Viaduct and Zig-Zag
60 km west of Sydney
1.5 km
2 reviews of “Awaba – Wangi Wangi Rail Trail”
Hmmm … Tried walking this yesterday. Failed. The end at Awaba Station was fenced off, so started about a kilometre south of the station, just above the entrance to Awaba Colliery. Soon met a jogger, who advised to be aware of both black and brown snakes that he had seen. Anyway, we followed his recommended directions (there are walking tracks galore), soon became lost, and a couple hours later came across a short section of the old railway corridor, with some rails, sleepers, ballast, cuttings and embankments. Very interesting. Running out of time we took a shortcut towards Wangi, getting lost a few more times. Survived (only saw one black snake). I'll be coming back in cooler months to conquer this trail, much better prepared.
Have walked it recently in 2023. Not really cyclable (unless you are a demon off road type) Track is mainly there, some interesting cuttings and embankments. Tracks pretty much still in place. A bit awkward to access, you have to skirt a coal operation and at the moment you cannot reach Wangi Wangi