A disused rail line in the Hunter is set to be transformed into a 32-kilometre walking and cycling path, under an ambitious plan spearheaded by Newcastle Council.
Council is currently working on the concept design for the former Richmond Vale Colliery railway, which runs from Kurri Kurri to Minmi.
The track will then join another path stretching from Shortland to Tarro.
“The Richmond Vale Rail Trail presents an exciting opportunity to open up the stunning Hunter Wetlands National Park to the public, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy this world-renowned natural feature,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
Planning is expected to take about 12 months.
The rail trail is estimated to cost $15-million and once completed, is expected to generate substantial benefits for the region.
What a wonderful idea, the Fernleigh Track in newcastle is hughly popular, and this sounds similiar
Or they could open it up and make it legal for the 4wd community to use it. What about us.
Or better yet donate the money to Richmond Vale Railway to extend their railway line and restore a SMR 10 class which will bring even more people to the area then some rail trail ever will.
Km of forest trails for 4WD – need a safe lengthy ride for bikes! and walkers!
Lol no it wont. Coal is dying and so are your toy trains.
Youre a boring destructive person if driving a 4×4 from Kurri Kurri to Minmi is something that “gets you going” go for a drive outside of newcastle and you might find a new track? Lol
You are a wanker mate, go on, on your bike, and eff off!!
Hear Hear!!!
Fantastic I’d ride it
I used to ride that track with Silver Bridle Trail Rides, it would be fantastic to see it as a cycle way.
Sadly all have good points, as a 4wd enthusiast this trail is good it is a pitty it’s so overgrown, I can imagine how nice it would be as a bike/walking trail but to get the most it must have the history behind it to appeal to tourists
This is one of the trails the Newcastle Cycleways Movement has been encouraging for the region for last four or five years. Will be great to see it in place, can’t wait to enjoy riding it.
This is fantastic… Here in the Blue Mountains we are trying to get Blue Mountains Council to do the same with our old railway corridors but they are dragging their feet…..
We have a 660m long tunnel at the base of the mountains which would be the jewel in the crown of Blue Mountains shared trail scheme the the council instigated a few years ago!
Michael
https://www.facebook.com/penrithwalks/photos/pb.758704784153070.-2207520000.1458770134./955465204477026/?type=3&theater
4×4 should be banned as they just make most tracks unwalkable and mudholes 4x bigger than they should be
Yeahhhhhh, 4 x 4 track with camping and hunting.
I have driven from Brisbane to Belmont 6 times now just to ride the Fernly Track and I love it.
I think if another council can do this type of surface it is fantastic. An area for just push bikes and pedestrians is ideal. It must be tar sealed for road bikes to use as this brings in more people and money to the area than just a dirt track for mountain bikes only. It will become a tourist attraction in its own right over time if done correctly.