Watagan Cycle Track Warners Bay New South Wales, Australia
Running along the edge of Lake Macquarie, between Speers Point and Warners Bay, the Watagan Cycle Track is a shared walking and cycling pathway. One of Lake Macquarie’s most popular recreation spots, it offers incredible water views and an interesting bridge crossing. The track is relatively flat and family-friendly and is suitable for all levels of fitness.
We drove and parked in the Eleebana Carpark, although there are many other places to leave your car. The track is easily accessible by public transport, as it is only a short walk from Warners Bay or Speers Point bus stops.
As a part of the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery’s Sculpture Park, it features a range of artworks by local and national artists. The track also passes by several parks and reserves, such as Speers Point Park, which has a large playground and picnic facilities.
The highlight of the track was the footbridge that extends over the shore of Lake Macquarie. From here there are beautiful views over the lake as well as the opportunity to see some water birds.
Finishing our walk at the Warner’s Bay shops, we bought coffees and sat on the foreshore to relax before retracing our steps back to the carpark.
Walking and cycling track with Lake Macquarie on the leftBridge section extending over Lake MacquarieWalking and cycling track extending over Lake MacquarieLake MacquarieForeshore at Lake MacquarieBeach Blossom (2016) by Antone BruinsmaThe Ascetic 2015 by Naidee ChangmohStingray sculpture by Brian Robinson
Wallsend Brickworks Park is a public park in Wallsend, Newcastle Australia, located at the site of a historic brickmaking operation which ran from 1891 to 1977. Featuring a playground, picnic shelters, barbecues, a pond with birdlife, and remnants of the brickworks’ machinery, it’s a great family destination.
The park is also part of the Jesmond Bushland, which offers nature trails for walking, cycling and mountain biking. The bushland is home to some native species such as powerful owls, flying foxes and squirrel gliders. The park is a great place to enjoy history, nature and fun with family and friends.
Brickworks History
Operating from 1891 to 1977 the Wallsend Brickworks used steam-powered machinery to make bricks. At its peak, the operation had orders of 400,000 bricks a week.
The brickworks produced a variety of bricks, including firebricks, pressed bricks and common bricks. Local buildings, such as the Wallsend Hospital and the Wallsend Post Office used some of the bricks.
Due to competition from other brick manufacturers and environmental concerns, the brickworks closed in 1977. Abandoned for many years, it became an environmental eyesore until the council decided to redevelop it as a park in 2002. The resulting public space provides play areas and walking tracks and an environmental wetland while paying homage to its industrial past.
How to Get There
We parked on Iranda Grove where car parking spots are available.
Throughout the grassed rehabilitated areas, concrete retaining walls have been constructed to resemble industrial buildings’ roofs. Several concrete structures remain as a reminder of the site’s heritage. The old clay quarry has been made safe and now forms a lake and habitat for local wildlife.
Entrance and main pathway through Brickworks ParkThe old quarry face. Hidden behind treesThe old quarry is now a wetlandWalking track through the parkSome of the few industrial remainsRehabilitated area with retaining walls made to look like industrial building rooves
The park also features artworks made from recycled bricks, including some of the original Wallsend bricks. One of the artworks is a sculpture named Kullas Incubator, which represents the regeneration of life and nature at the site.
Located at Norah Head on the Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia, Norah Head Lighthouse is still active after 120 years of operation. Built in 1903 it was the last lighthouse of the James Barnet style constructed. The lighthouse is 27 metres (89 ft) high and has a light characteristic of two white flashes every 15 seconds. This distinguishes it from other nearby lighthouses which will have a different number of flashed or separations.
Getting There
Parking is available onsite but is quite small and during busy periods fills quickly. Once the car park is full, visitors can park on the access road, or walk in from town which is a 10-minute walk.
Norah Head Lighthouse
Opening Times
The lighthouse is open to the public for guided tours every day (except Christmas Day and Anzac Day) between 10 am and 3 pm. Arriving early we were the only customers for the 10 am tour. This was great because we had the undivided attention of the guide. Our guide was great and being a volunteer, very passionate about the lighthouse. He kept up a running commentary for the whole tour, even while climbing the steps (there are 96 of them).
Ground Floor
On the ground floor we saw the weights that used to turn the light. Wound up and then released, they slowly moved down, with their movement turning the light. Not surprisingly, this was a laborious job and has been replaced by an electric motor.
Weight system to turn the lightSpiral staircase
Balcony
At the balcony level, we saw the unique markings used by the lighthouse. Each lighthouse had its own unique design, so that during the day, if the light couldn’t be seen, sailors could still determine their location.
Norah Head Identification ShapeRed navigation light
The Light
At the light deck, our guide explained how airflow to the original kerosene that fuelled the lamp was controlled. Incorrect airflow would result in black soot deposits on the glass lens, restricting it’s visibility. Brass air inlets could be opened or shut depending on wind speed and direction, ensuring the light burned correctly.
Air vent used to control light brightness
Climbing the 96 steps was not difficult as there were many breaks for explanations. One was about the stairs themselves which are made is slate with brass fittings, so that sparks are not generated. Although not significant now, it was a vital consideration when the lighthouse burned kerosene.
The view from the top was spectacular, with views up and down the coast. This also gave us a bird’s eye view of the lighthouse keepers’ cottages, which are now used as guest houses.
The lightView from the top of the lighthouse looking southLighthouse keepers’ cottages
Following the tour, we walked over the rock platform below the cliff that the lighthouse is built on. On returning, we saw a long queue waiting to do the tour, making us very pleased that we had come early.
Looking up at the lighthouse from the beach
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
