Old Bum On A Bike: Raymond Terrace to The Central Coast!

This was another big surprise. My initial thought of going this way was that I was going to put up with heavy city traffic and impatient drivers. This couldn't be further from the truth.

When arriving at Raymond Terrace I was planning on staying in a caravan park. I wanted something cheap as there were no free camps in the area. I did look down a few sidetracks and peered into the scrub a few times but there weren't many options that I would choose. I stopped at the rest area south bound at Twelve Mile Creek to make a few phone calls. The first was only open to workers as there are a lot of mines around the Hunter area. The second rudely told me that they don't accept tents, although their website said otherwise, and the third was the same as the second, just not as rude.

It was getting late into the afternoon as I continued pedalling south for Newcastle. There were some side roads just south of the Heavy Vehicle Weighbridge but nothing. On the opposite side of the highway there was an area, but right on the highways side, no thanks.

I thought that I would eventually find one but I was soon arriving in Raymond Terrace. The sun was hanging low and the next free camp was around forty kilometres away. There was the Shell at Hexam which was a nominated truck stop, but I knew from experience, as a truckie, there was no where really safe to pitch for the night. As I slowly rambled down the Pacific Hwy mumbling to myself all kinds of profanities I saw the motel where my family and I had stayed the previous Christmas. I wandered over and they had a room, and as a returning customer received a decent discount on that room.

So a motel it was again, settled in, showered and some dinner on I soon forgot about the earlier turmoil and settled in for a quick Facebook round up and phone call to the family. After all the day wasn't that bad, and although mostly on the highway I had a wide shoulder, smooth roads and deviations such as Karuah to ride through.

Morning came around and it was time to take a big breath and tackle the Newcastle traffic. I had a wide shoulder to the Hexam Bridge, a pathway over the bridge, then a footpath along side the Pacific Hwy/Maitland Rd. After the footpath ended there were sufficient bike lanes on the road's shoulder.

I had a route saved into my Garmin to help me navigate through Newcastle's streets. It had been years since I had spent my youth cutting capers in this town, coming down from Wingham on weekends. The route that was saved was taking me through quiet back streets, shared pathways and pathways through parks. Much better than the anticipated main road all the way around.

It was mid morning when I reached the start of the Fernleigh Track. The Fernleigh Track is the old branch line, now a well used rail trail, that runs from Adamstown in the central western suburbs of Newcastle to Belmont in Lake Macquarie to the south.

The Track started out it's life as a joint coal and passenger line in around 1880. It was going to be extended to Swansea but that never eventuated. It was originally laid between Belmont and Redhead, with further extensions happening in 1916, 1922 and 1925. April 1971 saw the last passenger train run along the rails and in December 1991 the line was officially closed.

Still today it sports a curved tunnel that is meticulously restored and looks as new as the day it was opened. It runs 181 meters under the now Pacific Hwy at Adamstown Heights/Highfeilds area.
The track is well used, and made me wonder if there was more traffic on the trail than on the roads...lol. Joggers, cyclists, commuters and walkers all co-existing together.

After stopping at Redhead for a late breakfast I continued south for Belmont. I took my time along here as I was just loving the shady cover of the trees and the quietness of the ride. If only I had made it to here last night...ahhh!

Soon arriving at Belmont the serenity was over, back onto roads, mainly main roads had me heading for the Central Coast of New South Wales. Surprisingly enough I was met once again with shared pathways and bike paths to keep me out of the flow of traffic. Many a roadie whizzed passed me, both here and on the Fernleigh Track with strange looks and hesitant waves. It was like they didn't know what they were looking at. What was this strange three wheel contraption that was loaded to the hilt? In the end they just smiled and shook their heads in disbelief. No weight weenying for me I'm afraid.

The views were wonderful. I had left the bush land of the trail to the scenic lake side views of Lake Macquarie. The pathways followed water views pretty much the whole way. I did, however, make a mistake and came out on an area of Pacific Hwy that had no bike lane or pathway. I did have a wide shoulder that was heavily littered in debris such as broken glass, bits of steel and the myriad of other things that fall, or are thrown from vehicles as they travel along.

Sick of this I regained my sense of direction and decided to leave this shit behind. I wandered down through Munmorah Sate Conservation Area. This once again took me through bush land then opening itself up to wondrous ocean views. I followed my way down through left and right turns until I came out at Budgewoi, and back onto the Pacific Hwy. But this time with two lane bike paths to escort me along.

Down through Toukley, The Entrance and Long Jetty I was accompanied by water views both sides of me. I hadn't planned to stay anywhere particular along here, my plan was to just ride until the day was over. There were no free camps but plenty of caravan parks. I just wanted to get close enough to Gosford as my plan was to catch the train into Sydney the follow day.

I ended up finding a peaceful caravan park at Bateau Bay that was clean, shady and quiet. This is just what the doctor ordered after a long day in the saddle. I set up camp, showered and then made my way to the local bowls club for a refreshing ale and a hearty meal.

I was happy with the day's ride and as I reflected my travels on Facebook I couldn't help but smile. It was one of those days where I had feared the worst but was rewarded in a magnificent way, views, peacefulness and some friendly chats along the way. What more could one want?

Cheers guys, and rise safe out there.