Date: Friday 11th – Sunday 13th March 2016
Description/Location: Belmont Pines,Lake Macquarie, NSW
Leaders: Annette & Peter Bruce
Report: Annette & Peter Bruce
Image: Joby Mitchell
BELMONT AND FERNLEIGH RAIL TRAIL WEEKEND – FRIDAY 11th TO SUNDAY 13th MARCH
Attendance: 21 members
Activities: cycling, bushwalking, pool swimming, surfing, art gallery visit, caves inspection & BBQ dinners.
Most of the members stayed at Belmont Pines Caravan Park on the shore of Lake Macquarie. It provided good accommodation, a nice pool and BBQ facilities and was in a good location for our activities. Some members stayed with friends close by.
The group was made up of both cyclists and walkers.
On Saturday, we met at the Belmont end of the Fernleigh Rail Trail at 8am where both cyclists and walkers set off together. The well maintained track with hard surface was enjoyed by all, travelling through lovely bushland and a well lit tunnel to Adamstown where the cyclists enjoyed a coffee before the return journey back to the start. Meanwhile the walkers, enjoyed the lovely bushland and wildflower walk along the Fernleigh Track.
Part of the cycle group continued by road to Warners Bay where they had a lovely mix of take away lunchs. Then continued on the shared path to the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery at Booragul, while the walkers drove to the Art Gallery and enjoyed a beautiful lunch in the resturant and a walk around the grounds.
In the late afternoon, a visit to Caves Beach for a surf and to explore the caves and rock pools at low tide was a highlight.
On Sunday, a small group drove up to Glenrock Lagoon Car Park for a lovely bushwalk along the Yuelagbah Track. This track crossed the creek over a wooden bridge, decending to Leichardt Lookout and down to Burwood Beach. There some had a surf, some had a lagoon swim and some just rested and enjoyed the sand on their feet.
We were lucky to have perfect weather conditions and enjoyed sunset BBQ dinners at the Caravan park overlooking Lake Mcquarie.
All in all a very busy and enjoyable weekend.