Belmont Lagoon Spit Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 Hr

3.2 km Return

10 m

Moderate track

The Belmont Lagoon Spit walk in Belmont is a quiet relaxing walk surrounded by water. This walk is best completed in the early morning or late afternoon, when the bird life is most active. You may see Black Swans, Spoon Bills and if you are lucky, the migratory Bar Tailed Godwit. This walk is close to Redhead Beach and could happily be combined with a dip or a beach stroll. The Belmont Lagoon is a sanctuary for wildlife in the area.

Belmont Lagoon Car Park with locked gate and sign

Belmont Lagoon Sign off Beach Road in Belmont

Belmont Lagoon Signage at Belmont Lagoon Car Park

Track through vegetation to foot bridge at Belmont Lagoon

Foot bridge over creek at Belmont Lagoon

Metal foot bridge over creek at Belmont Lagoon

Creek at Belmont Lagoon with the sun low

Metal foot bridge over the creek at Belmont Lagoon

Belmont Lagoon foot bridge over the creek

Metal foot bridge over the Belmont Lagoon

Track near the foot bridge over the creek at Belmont Lagoon

Still water over the creek at Belmont Lagoon

Trees beside the creek at Belmont Lagoon

Trail and intersection at Belmont Lagoon

Intersection and power lines at Belmont Lagoon

Intersection with trails at Belmont Lagoon

Spit walk and large pile of concrete at Belmont Lagoon

Pile of rubbish on the walk to the spit in Belmont Lagoon

Trail though forest on the spit in Belmont Lagoon

Tree's on the trail to the spit in Belmont Lagoon

Tree's beside the trail in Belmont Lagoon

Still swampy pool near the spit in Belmont Lagoon

Views over the Belmont Lagoon from the spit

Belmont Lagoon

Belmont Lagoon is situated between the Pacific Ocean and Lake Macquarie in the community of Belmont. This reserve is a sanctuary for five distinct biotic areas - Swamp Forest, Swamp Heath, Reed Swamp, Sedge Land and Open Water. All these different areas interact and are important in allowing natural areas to be ecological sustainable. There is more information[1] on these biotic areas at the Belmont Lagoon car park (off Beach St, Belmont). Human history of the lagoon began with the Awabakal people who occupied the area for perhaps the last 6000 years. The ancient Awabakal legend of The Teardrop of the Moon tells how Belmont Lagoon was formed. During World War II, the Department of Defence dredged Cold Tea Creek to provide an anti-tank barrier and defence line. As part of these modifications, the lagoon was divided into two parts, and it now has a permanent connection to the saline waters of Lake Macquarie, thereby altering its salinity and circulation pattern. For more information, contact Lake Macquarie Visitor Information Centre on (02) 4921 0740. More info.

Belmont Lagoon Car Park

The Belmont Lagoon car park (access from corner Beach St and Ocean Park Rd, Belmont) is an open grassed car park[2], with an information sign[3] detailing existing and proposed walking tracks at the lagoon. There is a water tap[4] available about 100m north of the car park (adjacent to the cricket oval). Please respect the private houses[5] that abutt onto the car park. More info.

(0km) Belmont Lagoon (Beach St Car Park) → Int of Cold Tea Walkway & Ocean Park Trail

960 m

15 mins

-2m Moderate track

From the Belmont Lagoon car park[6] (off Ocean Park Road, Belmont), this walk passes around the locked metal gate[7] and crosses the cricket oval[8], passing the 'Belmont Lagoon Reserve Map' sign[9] and keeping the houses to your left. This walk continues for about 200m across the oval and then across a footbridge[10][11] over Cold Tea Creek[12], to come to a three-way intersection[13][14] with a track (on the Cold Tea Walkway[15][16]).
Turn right: From the intersection[17][18], this walk follows the trail, initially keeping the footbridge and creek on your right[19] and Belmont Lagoon on your left. This walk continues for about 700m, until coming to a four-way intersection[20] with a large trail, and a faint trail[21] directly ahead.

(1km) Int of Cold Tea Walkway & Ocean Park Trail → Belmont Lagoon Car Park

1.2 km

19 mins

-3m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection[22][23], this walk follows the trail south, while keeping the overhead power lines[24] on your right and the ocean on your left. This walk continues along the trail, gently undulating through regrowth bush[25] and wetlands[26] for about 500m, until passing through a large metal gate[27]and coming to a three-way intersection[28] with the sealed Ocean Park Road.
Veer right: From the intersection[29], this walk follows Ocean Park Road gently uphill, while initially keeping the large metal gate[30] and Ocean Park Trail on your right. This walk continues for about 500m to pass Green Street[31] on your left. Then this walk continues for about 120m, passing William Street and some houses[32] on your left, until coming to a three-way intersection with a trail and 'Belmont Lagoon Reserve' sign[33][34] on the right (as Ocean Park Road[35] turns left).
Veer right: From the intersection[36][37], this walk follows the trail, while keeping the 'Belmont Lagoon Reserve' sign[38][39] on the right and the houses on the left. This walk continues for about 150m, until coming to a car park[40] with a low metal locked gate[41], and a 'Belmont Lagoon Reserve Map' sign[42] on the right (with cricket oval[43] beyond).

(1km) Int of Cold Tea Walkway & Ocean Park Trail → Belmont Lagoon Spit

650 m

10 mins

-3m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection[44], this walk follows the trail, keeping the overhead power lines[45] on your left and the ocean to your right. This walk continues for about 280m until coming to a three-way intersection[46] with a trail[47] on the left and large pile of concrete rubble directly ahead.
Continue straight: From the intersection[48], this walk follows the trail gently downhill[49], while keeping the large pile of concrete rubble[50] initially on your right. This walk continues, undulating gently[51] with the lagoon[52] on both sides for about 400m, until coming to the end of the spit[53] and two derelict buildings[54].

Belmont Lagoon Spit

The Belmont Lagood spit is surrounded by water and bird life. This is a fabulous place to enjoy in the early morning or evening, when bird life is most active. Birds you are likely to see include the Black Swan, Royal Spoonbill, Superb Blue Wren, Variegated Wren, Blackfaced Cuckoo Shrike, Eastern Whip Bird, Welcome Swallow and the international migatory waders, such as the Bar-Tailed Godwit. At the end of the spit, there are two derelict buildings[55] and a burnt-out car[56]. The spit is a good place to see the main biotic areas, including reed swamp, swamp heath, swamp forest, sedge land and open water. More info.

Maps for the Belmont Lagoon Spit Walk walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Swansea	1:25 000 Map Series	92314N SWANSEA	NSW-92314N
Lake Macquarie	1:100 000 Map Series	9231 LAKE MACQUARIE	9231

Cross sectional view of the Belmont Lagoon Spit Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Belmont Lagoon Spit Walk

Altitude analysis for Belmont Lagoon Spit Walk

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	3.2 km
		Time	1 Hr
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 880m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 730m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 1.6km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.6km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.6km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 1.6km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Belmont Lagoon Spit Walk walk.

Green Point Circuit Walk

7.7 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This walk visits all of the popular locations in Green Point Reserve, as well as some of the lesser-visited areas inland. Taking in Sea Eagle Park, Green Point and Rocky-high viewpoint on the foreshore and then travel inland through mostly eucalyptus forest to enjoy the views at Sea Eagle Lookout,

Total climbing: 269m

Hard track

The Foreshore Walk

2.9 km One way, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk traverses the coastline of the Green Point reserve. By following a variety of tracks and occasionally traveling inland through eucalyptus forest, this walk visits both Jetty and Sea Eagle picnic areas, Green Point itself and Rocky-high viewpoint. When looking into the waters of Lake Macq

Total climbing: 81m

Hard track

The Lookout Circuit

2.4 km Circuit, 1 Hr

The Lookout Circuit is a classic Green Point reserve walk. This walk offers walkers plenty of picnic opportunities, elevated views over Lake Macquarie and travel through eucalyptus forest. There is also good historical and environmental interpretative signage along much of this walk. This recomme

Total climbing: 91m

Moderate track

Green Point Drive Circuit

3.4 km Circuit, 2 hrs 45 mins

This walk takes in two of the best parts of Green Point Reserve, the quiet and secluded Green Point itself and the views at Sea Eagle Lookout. Starting at the high point of Green Point Drive entrance, you gradually descend to the foreshore, crossing over open grasslands and through eucalyptus fores

Total climbing: 127m

Moderate track

The Green Point Walk

3 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk descends through open grasslands and eucalyptus forest to arrive at the grassed Green Point. This is a quiet and secluded spot and a fabulous place for a picnic. From Green Point, there are good views up and down Lake Macquarie. The side trip to the Sea Eagle Lookouts is also worthwhile

Total climbing: 102m

Moderate track

Leichhardt's Green Point Walk

2.4 km Return, 1 Hr

This walk offers the shortest way of walking to Green Point. Starting from the elevated Leichhardt Road in Valentine, the walk descends through eucalyptus forest with some pleasant clearings on the way. Green Point is a great place for picnics and feels as if you can see the entire Lake Macquarie

Total climbing: 84m

Moderate track

Northern Green Point Circuit

3.8 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk visits two lovely foreshore locations on Lake Macquarie, before gaining height and traveling through eucalyptus forest and then finally descending again to the foreshore. The forest walking is mostly along fire trails adjacent to houses and it is possible to shorten the walk by exiting on

Total climbing: 140m

Hard track

Rocky-high Circuit Walk

666 m Circuit, 30 mins

This short circuit walk offers elevated views over Lake Macquarie from Rocky-high Viewpoint. This walk offers pleasant walking beside Lake Macquarie, as well as on a quiet track inland through eucalyptus forest. If possible, complete this walk close to sunset to take advantage of the views across

Total climbing: 27m

Moderate track

Cain's Timber Bridge Viewpoint Walk

1.3 km Return, 30 mins

This walk takes you beside the Owens wetland and then finishes at a lovely timber bridge over the Owens Creek. You are likely to see many birds on this walk, particularly if you do the walk in the early morning or late afternoon when the birds are most active. This walk is wheelchair accessible an

Total climbing: 4m

Very easy

The Redhead Owens Walkway Circuit

3.2 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This walk visits the Owens Wetland on the Owens Walkway, before entering Redhead Beach and walking north to the Redhead SLSC. The cliffs to the north are worth a closer look. The walk then returns via the Redhead Beach car park, crossing a creek (your feet will get wet) and following the Owens Wal

Total climbing: 26m

Hard track

Galgabba Point Walk

3.2 km Return, 1 Hr

The Galgabba Point walk is a flat walk along a bush track. This walk travels through native bush before arriving at Galgabba Point, where the track forms a small loop to allow you to explore the point. Galgabba Point is home to endangered ecological communities and threatened plant species, such a

Total climbing: 17m

Moderate track

Northern Redhead Beach Walk

1.2 km Circuit, 30 mins

This circuit walk starts at Webb Park and briefly travels on the Owens Walkway, before walking along the beautiful Redhead Beach to the Redhead SLSC. The rock cliffs at the northern end of Redhead Beach are inspiring and attractive to walk underneath. The walk returns to Webb Park via the SLSC car

Total climbing: 15m

Hard track