The Foreshore Walk
Download & Print Map and Notes
1 hr 15 mins
2.9 km One way
81 m
Hard track
Green Point Foreshore Reserve on Lake Macquarie
The Green Point Foreshore Reserve on Lake Macquarie is a great place for a bush walk, bicycle or picnic. The Green Point Foreshore reserve offers many historical and environmentally interpretative signs along its multi use pathways. There is an unformed foreshore pathway beside Lake Macquarie, or more physically demanding walks away from the lake foreshore and into rainforest.
Historically, the Green Point area was involved in a coal rush from the 1860’s. This coal rush was spearheaded by the Cardiff Coal Company. Coal was proposed to be transported by barge to Threlkeld’s old wharf at Reid’s Mistake (Swansea Heads) for shipping to Sydney. However, the coal was poor quality ‘boiler coal’ and used mostly for steamer boilers. This coal rush finished in 1870. Timber was also milled on site after the coal rush. The Lake Macquarie Council is undergoing extensive rehabilitation works to improve the area for recreation. For more information contact the Lake Macquarie Visitor Information Centre on (02) 4921 0740 More info.
The Car Park (off The Shores Way, Green Point)
The Shores Way park entrance[1] and car park[2] is a great place to start a walk within the Green Point Foreshore Reserve on Lake Macquarie. The park entrance offers a toilet[3], a water tap[4], seating and plenty of car parking. There are attractive grass slopes here dropping into the water, that make a fine spot to have a picnic.
(0km) The Shores Way Car Park → Int of Foreshore Track AND Jetty Picnic Area
550 m
10 mins
10m
-13m
Moderate track
From the car park[5](on The Shores Way, Green Point), this walk heads towards the lake[6] past the toilet block[7] and along the footpath for 25m, to a four-way intersection[8] with a ‘Welcome to Green Point Foreshore Reserve’ sign[9] (on the right).
Turn right: From the intersection[10], this walk follows the shared concrete cycle/footpath gently downhill, while keeping the Shores Way car park[11] on your right and the water[12] on your left. This walk continues, undulating[13] for about 500m, until coming to the Jetty picnic area[14] on the right and jetty[15] on your left.
Turn right: From the intersection[10], this walk follows the shared concrete cycle/footpath gently downhill, while keeping the Shores Way car park[11] on your right and the water[12] on your left. This walk continues, undulating[13] for about 500m, until coming to the Jetty picnic area[14] on the right and jetty[15] on your left.
Jetty Picnic Area
The Jetty Picnic area[16] in the Green Point Foreshore Reserve on Lake Macquarie offers a public jetty[17], a sheltered picnic table[18], seating[19][20], a drinking fountain[21] and historical interpretative signs[22]. The historical signs detail the ‘timber getting’ period of Green Point from 1860, with the timber used to build jetty’s, pit prop for coal mining, ships and boats. There is also an historical sign detailing ‘The Cardiff Coal Company’, which mined coal out of Green Point during a minor coal rush.
(0.55km) Jetty Picnic Area (Green Point Foreshore Reserve) → Int of Foreshore Track & Sea Eagle Park
260 m
5 mins
9m
-6m
Easy track
Sea Eagle Park
Sea Eagle Park in Green Point Foreshore Reserve on Lake Macquarie is a large grassed picnic area[27], with a toilet[28], sheltered picnic tables[29], water from a tap[30][31] and gas/electric barbeque’s[32]. This picnic area is particularly good for larger family group, for there is room to play ball games or just sit and look at the views. The short walk up to the Sea Eagle Lookouts is recommended for the commanding views south towards Swansea.
(0.8km) Int of Foreshore Track & Sea Eagle Park → Int of Foreshore & Lookout Tracks
80 m
2 mins
6m
-1m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection[33], this walk follows the footpath gently uphill[34], while keeping Sea Eagle Park[35] on your right. This walk continues for about 70m, until coming to a three-way intersection[36] with a track and ‘Lookout’ sign on your right and a ‘Getting about at Green Point’ sign[37] on your left.
(0.89km) Int of Foreshore & Lookout Tracks → Lower Lookout (Sea Eagle Park)
110 m
2 mins
16m
0m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection[38][39], this walk heads up timber steps, directly away from the face of the ‘Getting about at Green Point’ sign[40]. This walk continues gently uphill, with occasional timber steps (and passing a seat[41]) for about 110m, until coming to the Lower Lookout[42][43] above Sea Eagle Park (on the right). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Sea Eagle Park Lookouts (lower, middle & upper)
These three lookouts (lower, middle and upper lookouts) are above Sea Eagle Park in Green Point Foreshore Reserve on Lake Macquarie and give great views[44][45] across Lake Macquarie towards Swansea. The upper lookout has a picnic table[46] in the shade behind the lookout, which gives relief on a hot day. The upper lookout also a picnic table[47] at the lookout, offering fabulous views to the south. Each of these lookouts has a bench seat and interpretative signs[48]. White Bellied Sea Eagles have been known to nest nearby and are often seen flying in the area.
(0.89km) Int of Foreshore AND Lookout Tracks → Int of Foreshore AND Green Point Drive Tracks
190 m
4 mins
11m
-3m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection[49][50], this walk follows the ‘Rainforest Boardwalk 1130m’ sign[51] and footpath gently downhill and keeping the ‘Getting about at Green Point’ sign[52] on your left. This walk continues, undulating for about 180m, until coming to a three-way intersection[53], with a gently downhill gravel track[54] on the right and the concrete footpath[55] continuing to the right.
(1.08km) Int of Foreshore & Green Point Drive Tracks → Green Point
750 m
14 mins
8m
-32m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection[56][57], this walk follows the gently downhill gravel track and timber steps, while leaving behind the concrete footpath[58] and ‘Green Point Drive’ sign[59]. This walk continues, undulating moderately steeply[60] (ignoring side tracks[61]) through open eucalyptus forest and with occasional short sections of timber boardwalk[62], for about 600m, until crossing over a timber footbridge[63] by the lake[64] and coming to the open grassy area[65] of Green Point[66].
Turn left: From the intersection[67], this walk follows the track towards Green Point[68] (and the water), while leaving the forest[69] directly behind you. This walk continues for about 60m, passing across grasslands[70] and towards a small clump of She Oak trees[71], until coming to the lake edge[72] and Green Point.
Turn left: From the intersection[67], this walk follows the track towards Green Point[68] (and the water), while leaving the forest[69] directly behind you. This walk continues for about 60m, passing across grasslands[70] and towards a small clump of She Oak trees[71], until coming to the lake edge[72] and Green Point.
Green Point (on Lake Macquarie)
Green Point in the Green Point Foreshore Reserve on Lake Macquarie is a large grassed area[73] which looks out over Lake Macquarie. From the vantage point of Green Point, a walker can see up and down Lake Macquarie[74]. There are often boats passing by this low headland. This is a fabulous place to have a picnic and there is even a clump of She Oak trees[75] by the water for shade. There are no facilities here, other than the open grassed area.
(1.83km) Green Point → Int of Fore Shore & Coast Tracks
630 m
13 mins
22m
-15m
Hard track
Turn around: From Green Point (by the lake[76] and small clump of She Oak trees[77][78]), this walk follows the track across grasslands and towards the forest. This walk continues for about 60m, until coming to a four-way intersection[79][80] with a track and forest ahead.
Turn left: From the intersection[81], this walk follows the track[82], while keeping the lake and water on your left. This walk continues for about 210m, then passes over a timber boardwalk[83] and bridge (with good views over the lake). Then this walk continues for about 160m through forest[84] before climbing gently up and down timber steps[85]. After a further 60m, this walk climbs gently up eroded timber steps[86], then after another 60m, comes to a track[87][88] (on the right) as you are walking down timber steps.
Turn left: From the intersection[81], this walk follows the track[82], while keeping the lake and water on your left. This walk continues for about 210m, then passes over a timber boardwalk[83] and bridge (with good views over the lake). Then this walk continues for about 160m through forest[84] before climbing gently up and down timber steps[85]. After a further 60m, this walk climbs gently up eroded timber steps[86], then after another 60m, comes to a track[87][88] (on the right) as you are walking down timber steps.
(2.46km) Int of Fore Shore & Coast Tracks → Int of Fore Shore & Short Cut Tracks
90 m
2 mins
1m
-5m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection[89][90], this walk follows the timber steps[91] gently downhill, while keeping the lake on your left. This walk continues through forest for about 35m, to find a timber boardwalk[92] and bridge[93] (with views of the lake). Then this walk continues for about 20m, climbing up timber steps[94] and following a track for a further about 50m, until coming to a three-way intersection[95], with a track and ‘mangrove seed symbol’ signed[96] timber post (on the right).
(2.55km) Int of Fore Shore AND Short Cut Tracks → Rockyhigh Viewpoint
120 m
2 mins
6m
-1m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection[97], this walk follows the track while initially keeping the ‘mangrove seed symbol’ signed[98] timber post on the right and lake on the left. This walk continues for about 90m, undulating gently, to climb moderately steeply up timber steps[99] (with a metal ring fence[100]). This walk continues for 20m until coming to Rockyhigh Viewpoint[101], with a bench seat[102] (on the right) and views[103] over the lake (on the left).
(2.66km) Rockyhigh Viewpoint → Int of Foreshore Track & Dilkera Ave Reserve Entrance
210 m
4 mins
8m
-7m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From Rockyhigh Viewpoint[106][107], this walk follows the track[108] moderately steeply downhill (beside a metal ring fence[109]), while keeping the water on your left. This walk continues for about 190m, undulating gently through forest[110], until coming to a T-intersection[111] with a concrete footpath and ‘Welcome to Green Point Fore Shore Reserve’ sign[112] (on the right)(Dilkera Ave[113] is visible directly ahead).
Green Point Reserve Entrance (Dilkera Avenue, Valentine)
The Dilkera Avenue entrance (in Valentine) to Green Point Foreshore Reserve offers access to both walking and bicycling paths. There is car parking and a large grassed park overlooking Lake Macquarie, a great spot to sit or have a picnic. A short walk away in the Green Point Reserve is Rockyhigh Viewpoint over Lake Macquarie, which is fabulous at sunset.
Maps for the The Foreshore Walk walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Swansea | 1:25 000 Map Series | 92314N SWANSEA | NSW-92314N |
| Lake Macquarie | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9231 LAKE MACQUARIE | 9231 |
Cross sectional view of the The Foreshore Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the The Foreshore Walk
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 2.9 km | ||
| Time | 1 hr 15 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) | ||
| Signs | Minimal directional signs (4/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
1.5km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.1km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (190m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
1.6km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 820m follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (430m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
1.9km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 540m has minimal directional signs. The remaining (470m) is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 2.2km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 660m requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 2.9km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 1.5km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 1.4km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The The Foreshore Walk walk starts at the The Shores Way Car Park (gps: -33.029923, 151.64209)Your transport options to The Shores Way Car Park are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
The The Foreshore Walk ends at the Int of Foreshore Track & Dilkera Ave Reserve Entrance (gps: -33.013892, 151.62875)
Your transport options to Int of Foreshore Track & Dilkera Ave Reserve Entrance are by;
Bus. (get details) Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/tfw
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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