With the weather looking pretty fine for the week ahead, now is the perfect opportunity to get out and explore some of Newcastle's best suburban parks and playgrounds!
Newcastle's Western Suburbs
Take a nature walk, go for a run or cycle at Brickworks Park in Wallsend. These former brickworks offer trails that traverse through bushland where you will see old quarry walls and hear birds calling in the trees. There's even a large playground where the kids can let off some steam.
For those close to Minmi, the Blue Gums Hills Regional Park offers a permanent orienteering course available for runners, walkers and mountain bikers whenever the park is open. Dogs on a leash are allowed, and playground and barbeque facilities are also available.
TIP: If you want to let your dog off-leash head for Upper Reserve, Wallsend.
New Lambton, Lambton, Waratah and Jesmond
Leafy Lambton Park is a local’s favourite, with a large playground, two ovals, wide green spaces and paths for walking, scooting or strolling.
If you want to break into a run, why not follow the perimeter of the park? One lap is approximately 1.8km. Do three laps and you’ve run just over five kilometres! Plus dogs on a leash permitted.
Adamstown, Adamstown Heights + Kotara
Get in a workout on the Yuelarbah Walking Track, a highlight of Glenrock State Conservation Area.
Setting off from the wheelchair accessible raised boardwalk, the scenic track leads you along Flaggy Creek, through wet gullies and lush coastal rainforest. Along the way you’ll pass trickling waterfalls and cross bubbling creeks before finishing at the secluded Glenrock Beach.
For an easier and bike friendly option, set out on the Fernleigh Track, an attractive and popular walking and cycling path created along the route of a former rail corridor. Starting in Adamstown, the shared pathway stretches 15km to Belmont.
Inner city + Stockton
If you reside in the inner city, Islington Park is a vast, green open space bounded by Throsby Creek to the north, Maitland Road to the west and Maryville to the east.
Go for a stroll or cycle the paved pathway that skirts Throsby Creek to the harbour foreshore, or set off for a walk across its broad, grassy spaces. The Islington off leash dog park is located across Throsby Creek in Tighes Hill.
Over at Stockton, jump on your bike and cycle along the Hunter River to Nelson Bay Road before circling back to Stockton Break Wall. Alternatively take a stroll along the Shipwreck Walk, an easy 2km walk along the Stockton breakwater.
Looking for more ways to get active and enjoy the outdoors? Check out our blogs on Inner City Walks and Skate Parks.