Looking for a short bushwalk suitable for the kids? The Kilaben Bay Nature Walk in Lake Macquarie winds through beautiful bush along a wide fire trail and finishes at the lake’s edge at Kilaben Bay, the perfect spot for a picnic and a play by the water.
The walk starts directly across from Toronto Fire Station on Ridge Road at Kilaben Bay. Young fire truck enthusiasts might be lucky and sneak a peek at the fire engines on the way past. Be careful crossing the road here – it can be busy and the visibility of cars coming around the bend is not great.
The beginning of the walk follows Kilaben Bay fire trail through the bush.
The trail is gravel and a little steep on the descent at the start, but soon flattens out.
Expect to see some big trees along the way, and the wattle flowers are worth stopping for when they’re in bloom.
There are a couple of forks in the fire trail. Staying on the right-hand fork at each one leads down to the lake.
After heavy rain, sections of the trail can turn into some seriously large puddles, so gumboots are a good idea if there’s been wet weather in the days beforehand.
It doesn’t take away from the walk though, and the temporary “wetlands” tend to be a hit with kids who don’t mind getting a bit muddy.
A little further along the fire trail, the path reaches the banks of Kilaben Creek. This marks the start of a boardwalk section built by the Kilaben Bay Landcare Group.
The boardwalks make for a nice flat stretch here, suitable for sturdy prams.
The walk ends at Kilaben Park on the shore of Lake Macquarie, often the highlight for kids.
There’s plenty to do at the lake, from skipping stones and checking under rocks for crabs to climbing trees and exploring the wetlands.
A park bench nearby makes it a nice spot to sit and watch the boats and pelicans come and go.
The walk is about 1.5km each way. Families with younger children who might struggle with the full return trip could start at Kilaben Park and walk toward the fire station along the flatter section, turning back once little legs get tired.
With two adults, a car shuffle also works well, with one adult walking back to collect the car while the kids play at the lake.
Good to know
Distance: 1.5km each way
Bring: Water, swimmers in summer, snacks, and gumboots if it’s been raining
Amenities: There are no public toilets along the walk, so go before you leave! Nearby toilets at Kilaben Bay Reserve Playground on Toronto Road
Getting There: You can either park on the side of the road near Toronto Fire Station, or at Kilaben Park on Kilaben Road – depending on where you want to start the walk. The walk is flatter at the Kilaben Park end, and more suitable for pram access, although there may still be some bumpy parts along the way where tree roots etc. cross the path.
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