4.7 km · 5 min from the motel
Fifteen kilometres of old coal railway, sealed and almost flat.
The Belmont terminus is five minutes from us. The track runs 15 km north to Adamstown through wetlands, nature reserve and a lit railway tunnel.
- From the motel
- 5 min4.7 km by car
- Length
- 15 kmBelmont to Adamstown, one way
- Gradient
- Almost flatIt was built for coal trains
- The tunnel
- LitCool in summer, about halfway
The Fernleigh Track is the most popular shared pathway in the Hunter, and it earns that. It follows the old Fernleigh coal railway line, which means it is sealed the whole way, wide enough for bikes and walkers to share comfortably, and — because trains do not like hills — almost entirely flat.
The tunnel
The Fernleigh Tunnel is the bit everyone remembers. It is lit, it is cool in summer, and it is genuinely atmospheric. Bring a light anyway if you are riding at dusk.
How to do it from here
The Belmont terminus is 4.7 km away, beside the Hunter TAFE Belmont campus. From there it is 15 km to Adamstown. A return ride is 30 km, which is a comfortable half-day at an easy pace and very achievable for a reasonably fit family.
If you would rather not ride the whole thing, the section from Belmont through the wetlands is flat, shaded and pretty, and you can turn around whenever you like.
What you will see
Wetlands, nature reserve, a lot of eucalypt, and — reliably — rainbow lorikeets. Early morning is the best time for birds and the coolest time for riding in summer.
Practical
Bike hire is not available on site. Bring your own or arrange hire in Newcastle. There is free parking at the Belmont terminus, and free parking at our door for the car you leave behind.
Official information: nsw.gov.au. Opening hours and conditions change — check with them before you build a day around it.
Nearby, from the same car park
The other three worth the drive.
Belmont 16s Sailing Club
Seven waterfront eateries and bars on the edge of Lake Macquarie, three minutes from your room. Open every day…
Read the guide
Blacksmiths & Nine Mile Beach
Five minutes from your door. Blacksmiths is where this region teaches people to surf, and it runs unbroken all…
Read the guide
Hunter Valley day trip
Pokolbin is 62 km from our car park — about an hour each way. Sleep by the lake, spend the day in the vines, a…
Read the guideStay five minutes away
Seventeen rooms, from $126 a night.
Opposite Lake Macquarie, with free parking at your door and every rate published.
| Room | Sleeping | Bathroom | Position | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Queen Room | 1 Queen + 1 Single | Shower over bath | Quieter |
$126 |
| Deluxe King Room | 1 King | Shower over bath | Quieter |
$156 |
| Balcony Queen Room | 1 Queen + 1 sofa bed | Shower over bath | Highway-facing |
$168 |
| Balcony Spa Suite | 1 Queen | Spa bath + separate shower | Highway-facing |
$264 |
| Family Room | 1 Queen + 1 Single | Shower over bath | Quietest |
$216 |
| Family Spa Room | 1 Queen + 1 Single | Spa bath + shower | Quieter |
$276 |
| Family Balcony Room | Call to confirm bed configuration | Shower over bath | Highway-facing |
$276 |
Rates are per night for two guests and are indicative published rates. Live rates and availability are confirmed at checkout. Maximum occupancy varies by room — call (02) 4945 2847 and we will tell you exactly what fits.
Book direct
Best rate, no booking fees, a real person on the phone.
Book on this site and you get our best available rate with no third-party booking fee. Prefer to talk to someone? Call reception and we will sort it out.