Lake Macquarie new nature trails aim to attract families to explore local wilderness

Lake Macquarie City Council’s ‘Explore Our Great Outdoors’ January program offers self-guided nature trails where participants scan QR codes to navigate the wilderness and learn more about their natural surroundings.

Sustainability Engagement Coordinator Chris Harle said the trails harnessed technology now familiar with everyone to help locals discover amazing flora and fauna on their doorstep that might otherwise go unnoticed.

The first walk will operate 10th-16th January, starting at Bennett Park in Valentine and winding through Green Point Foreshore Reserve.

The following week will see a similar trail established at Rathmines Park.

Harle advises “this is a fun, free, healthy and interesting activity that can be done in your own time, at your own pace, and with minimum COVID worries.

“Feedback received from the kids who have tested it so far has been really positive. They’ve enjoyed the treasure hunt feel of the walk, and came away with lots of new knowledge about our great outdoors.”

The trails are designed for children aged five and over, although Harle advises that children under 16 should be supervised by an adult. Each trail is about 1.7km long.

This year’s Explore Our Great Outdoors program features activities running through to 20th January.

They include:

• Aboriginal dance sessions at Green Point on Tuesday 11th January

• Stand-up paddleboarding for beginners at Warners Bay on Wednesday 12th January

• A kite-making workshop at Charlestown Library on Wednesday 12th January

• A ‘seagrass saunter’ at Wangi Wangi on Thursday 13th January

• An evening disc golf session at Rathmines foreshore on Thursday 13th January

• A beach safety workshop at Redhead Beach on Friday 14th January

• African drumming sessions in Speers Point Park on Tuesday 18th January

• A ‘rockpool ramble’ at Swansea Heads on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th January

• An introduction to sailing at Toronto Royal Motor Yacht Club on Wednesday 19th January

• A ‘dawn chorus’ birdwatching walk around Belmont Lagoon on Thursday 20th January

Bookings are essential for all activities apart from the self-guided nature trails. Many activities are free, while others are available for a minimal fee.

For more information go to lakemac.com.au