Looking for an easy family walk with plenty to see along the way? The Throsby Creek Foreshore Walk takes you along a beautiful stretch of Newcastle’s waterfront. Experience mangroves, birdlife, sculptures, street art, and plenty of open space, making this a great family adventure. We watched a white-faced heron catch its lunch as we wandered beside the mangroves along Throsby Creek.
Although the area is lined with townhouses and has undergone plenty of redevelopment over the years, once you’re on the pathway, you feel surrounded by nature. Listen for birds calling from the mangroves, watch for stingrays splashing in the shallows, and enjoy the gentle sound of the water flowing beside you.
Start your walk in Islington
We parked kerbside in Islington and started our walk towards Honeysuckle. The full shared pathway from Islington Park to Nobbys Beach is approximately 6.5km, but you don’t need to walk the whole distance. There are plenty of places where you can join the pathway along the way and choose a distance that suits your family. The area has changed so much over the years. Along the way, we spotted birds, sculptures, a street library and lots of colourful street art.
Explore the mangrove foreshore
One of the best things about this walk is the changing landscape along the water. The foreshore varies from sandy stretches and rocky edges to native plants and tangled mangrove roots. This makes it a perfect spot for birds to search for food, so keep your eyes peeled as you walk. The changing scenery kept us entertained and gave us plenty to stop and look at along the way.
Stop for a play at Islington Park
After our walk, we headed back to Islington Park for some well-earned playtime. The children stopped first to run along the bridge at River Court Road. They then made their way into the large grassy park area, which is close to the Islington Park Cricket Ground. There is plenty to keep the kids busy. Discover a climbing net, a climbing frame with slides, a large nest swing, smaller swings, a pirate boat, colourful tunnels, a roundabout, and musical instruments. There is also a covered area with seating and BBQs, making it a great spot for a picnic or a get-together with friends.
Good to know
The pathway is fully paved and is suitable for walking, bikes, scooters, wheelchairs and strollers. Public toilets can be found at Islington Park, near Newcastle Museum at Honeysuckle, and again at Nobbys Beach. Dogs are permitted along the walk, making this a handy option if you’re looking for somewhere the whole family, including the four-legged members, can enjoy.
Make a day of it
With the foreshore walk and Islington Park playground so close together, this is an easy outing to turn into a few hours of family fun. Pack the bikes, scooters or pram, take your time exploring the waterfront. Then finish with a play and picnic at the park. There are plenty of other places to discover around Newcastle and Lake Macquarie too, so check out our Out & About guides for more family-friendly walks, playgrounds, parks and places to explore.
