New Lake Mac path winds through coastal wilderness

Published on 10 February 2022

A revamped walkway taking in spectacular beach views and traversing precious coastal ecosystems is making waves at Redhead.

The northern section of the Ken and Audrey Owens Walkway has been closed for the past eight months to allow for a complete reconstruction of 500m of pathway, with a new raised deck installed along its entire length.

Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Community Assets Brendan Callander said the path travelled through threatened ecological communities including freshwater wetlands and swamp forest.

“A range of threatened native species has been recorded nearby, including the powerful owl and the large bent-winged bat, so this really is a special place to preserve and appreciate,” he said.

“The old walkway was at the end of its life cycle, and this new structure makes the path more accessible and more enjoyable, and makes it easier to take in the flora, fauna and views.”

Seats are due to be installed at regular intervals by the end of the month along the new section, which starts at Webb Park just south of Redhead Beach.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the walkway was ideal for exercising, walking dogs on leads or bird-watching.

“I’m so glad this wonderful walkway is once again open to the community,” Cr Fraser said.

“It’s a magical feeling walking beneath the low canopy of trees as you leave Webb Park and head down towards the beach.”

“Then, turning parallel to the beach, you’re suddenly immersed in nature, with the birds and the waves just about all you can hear.”

The walkway travels through other important vegetation communities, including coastal tea-tree, coastal sand apple and blackbutt forest, freshwater sedge-land and beach spinifex.

Black-browed albatross, grey-headed flying foxes and wandering albatross are among the other threatened species to frequent the area.

Go to lakemac.com.au to discover other shared pathways and cycling routes around Lake Macquarie.