It was hard to beat the sunshine on Friday; a perfect day for locals to get their first look at the new 3.5-kilometre stretch of the Fernleigh Track which opened on August 11 that runs along the east side of Belmont from the former end of the track at the old Belmont train station to the Belmont Golf Course on the Pacific Highway. Login or signup to continue reading Nick Chandler of Belmont was riding his new mobility scooter on the track.
He pronounced it as "bloody beautiful - better than the footpath". The new stretch, with two bridges and scenic lookouts for birdwatching, is mostly flat, and certainly scenic. The 400-metre elevated boardwalk over wetland with views to the Belmont Lagoon is a highlight.
Sandra Gray of Swansea and Sarah Kilpatrick of New Lambton had enjoyed a spring lunch at Star Anise on the waterfront along Brooks Parade before taking a walk on the track. "There's so much nature you can see," Ms Gray said. "I live in Swansea.
I didn't even know there was a lagoon in there. I think it's great it's opened that up, too." "It's my first time, I think it's fabulous," Ms Kilpatrick said.
There are still a few details to be finished on the edges of the trail. And there has been preliminary work on a parking lot accessible from the end of Beach Street on the west side of the track. David and Elizabeth Jobber of Jewells were checking the track out on Friday, on a spur of the moment decision.
The are familiar with the Fernleigh Track section from Jewells to Redhead.