Whether you’re looking at getting back into shape, doing some fun runs with your kids or grandkids, supporting a cause or enrolling your kids in a specific kids run, here are some family-friendly walks and runs in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter.
Parkrun (every Saturday)
Parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are free, open to everyone and safe and easy to take part in. Parkrun takes place every Saturday at 8am. You just need to register on their website before your first run to get a barcode for registration and timing.
There are currently 14 Parkruns in the region.
- Avondale University College, Cooranbong
- Blackbutt (Blackbutt Richley Reserve) in New Lambton
- Blue Gum Hills in Minmi
- Fingal Bay
- Grahamstown Aquatic Centre (Medowie)
- Lake Mac (Booragul)
- Lakeview (Belmont)
- Maitland
- Newy (Carrington)
- Nulkaba
- Singleton
- Stockton
- The Beaches (Bar Beach)
- The Terrace (Raymond Terrace)
Date: Every Saturday
Distance: 5km
Location: 14 Parkruns to choose from
Parkrun website
Stockton Island Triathalon Festival
Kick off the weekend with the Stockton Sunrise Run. Fformerly the Friday night Sunset Run, it’s now on Saturday morning. Choose from 5km, 10.5km, or Half Marathon distances and enjoy the flat and stunning foreshore views. The profile is very flat and the event is conducted on mostly concrete paths along the Foreshore of Stockton. Sunday is Triathlon Day! Take on the Standard, Sprint, or Short Course triathlons, or opt for the Aquathlon.
Date: Saturday 31 January & Sunday 1 February 2026
Distance: 5km, 10.55km and 21.5km run and standard, sprint or short course triathalon
Location: Stockton
Island Triathalon website
Lake Macquarie Triathalon Festival
Swim, cycle and run in beautiful Lake Macquarie! This welcoming event is perfect for all levels – from juniors and first-timers to experienced athletes. Enjoy calm, protected swim waters, a flat closed-road cycle, and a scenic lakeside run. There’s also an Aquathalon and a 1km or 2km open water swim.
Date: Sunday 8 March 2026
Distance: Standard, sprint & short course triathlon, junior triathlon
Location: Speers Point Park
Lake Macquarie Triathalon Festival website
Hill to Harbour
The iconic Newcastle Hill to Harbour is a fun run welcoming runners, walkers and wheelchair participants. The feature event is an approximately 12km point-to-point course along Newcastle’s stunning coastline, starting at Bar Beach and finishing in Carrington. For a shorter option, the 6km Halfa Hill to Harbour offers a great challenge. Kids aged 12-17 can enter the 12km and 6km run. The Hunter Valley Orthodontics 2K-4-FUN is perfect for kids, families and anyone keen to soak up the atmosphere and be part of the day.
Date: Sunday 29 March 2026
Distance: 2km, 6km & 12km
Location: Newcastle
Hill to Harbour website
Mother’s Day Classic
Mother’s Day Classic events launch in February 2026. The MDC walk/run event will be held on Sunday 10 May and this year the event is raising funds and awareness for vital breast and ovarian cancer research.
In addition to the 5km walk or run along the beautiful Stockton Foreshore, with views of Nobbys Beach, Newcastle Harbour and Stockton Beach, there will be food and market stalls and more! It is family friendly and an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate those people affected by breast and ovarian cancer and help raise money for life saving research.
Date: Sunday 10 May 2026
Distance: 5km
Location: Stockton Foreshore
Mother’s Day Classic website
Memory Walk and Jog
Join the Memory Walk and Jog on the foreshore at Griffith Park, Stockton for a morning of family-friendly fun, fitness and fundraising for Dementia Australia. Select either 2.5km, 5km walk or jog or timed 9.5km run event as your preferred distance. Whichever way you decide to move, you’ll be helping beat dementia to the finish line. Open to all ages, however, under 18s will need an adult with them at the event.
Date: Sunday 31 May 2026
Distance: 2.5km walk, 5km walk or jog, 9.5km run
Location: Griffith Park, Stockton
Memory Walk website
Relay For Life
Relay For Life is a fun and moving experience that raises vital funds for the Cancer Council’s research, prevention and support services. Celebrated by more than 4 million people in over 20 countries, this inspirational overnight event empowers and unites local communities to make strides toward our ultimate vision – a cancer free future.
Join the Newcastle team in the 2026 Newcastle Relay and join the thousands of Australians who take part in Cancer Council’s Relay For Life each year and make strides towards a cancer free future.
Date: Date for 2026 TBA
Location: Hunter Sports Centre, Glendale
Relay For Life website
The Loxford Maitland Running Festival
For a fun family walk/run, complete one lap (4km), two laps (8km) or three laps (12km) of the Loxford Maitland Running Festival. There is also a 5 lap Half Marathon course. The start, finish and lap location for the event will be the world class Maitland Regional Athletics Centre. The track has excellent facilities and allows great access to the field for runners and spectators as well as running along the foreshore of the Hunter River. Kids over 6 are eligible to enter the 4km event. The 8km event is open to kids aged 6+ while the 12km event is for 12+ (children under 12 need to be accompanied).
Date: Sunday 7 June 2026
Distance: 4k, 8km, 12km walk or run
Location: Starting / Finishing at Maitland Regional Athletics Centre
Loxford Maitland Running Festival website
Raffertys Coastal Run
Raffertys Coastal Run is a 12km, 22km or 36km trail run. Also returning in 2026, in conjunction with the Raffertys Coastal Run, is the Raffertys Kids Fun Run. Giving kids aged 5 to 12 an event to get excited about, the Raffertys Kids Fun Run will take place within the grounds of Raffertys Resort. 1.4km in length, all runners will receive an official race bib and finishers medal.
Date: Saturday 11 July 2026
Distance: 1.4km Kids Fun Run or 12km, 22km or 36km trail run
Location: Rafferty’s Resort, Cams Wharf
Rafferty’s Coastal Run website
Hunter Valley Winery Run
Hunter Valley Winery Run includes a 5km Winery Wander, a 10.5km Run, Half Marathon, Marathon and Winery Kids Marathon (2km). The 5km Winery Wander course runs in and around the spectacular Hunter Valley Wine Country and is ideal for those wanting a hit out before lunch and those building up their running/walking.
Date: Sunday 19 July 2026
Distance: 2km, 5km, 10.5km, 21.1km, 42.2km
Location: Wandin Estate, Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley Winery Run website
Move for MADA
Move for MADA is an annual event that raises funds for Maitland against domestic abuse and encourage physical and mental health. This free event is filled with family fun, live music, stall and food trucks, kids entertainment, charity, and the chance to speak to a professional.
Date: 2026 Dates TBA
Distance: 2km
Location: Harold Gregson Park, Maitland
Move for MADA website
Lake Mac Run
This well known running festival has been in action since 1984 and is one of the longest-running events in New South Wales. It is a fantastic scenic road course along our beautiful lake, mostly flat and perfect for PB times. Register for the Pure Performance 21.1km Half Marathon, the Coal Services 10.5km Fun Run or the 4km Family Scamper.
Date: 2026 Dates TBA
Distance: 21.1km, 10.5km or 4km
Location: Lake Macquarie Foreshore, The Esplanade Warners Bay
Lake Mac Run website
Colour Frenzy Newcastle
Colour Frenzy is a non-competitive fun run that welcomes all ages and all abilities and a great family event, work function or random fun for the weekend warrior. Smiling ear to ear, you’ll be laughing your way to the finish line in a frenzy of colourful happiness. Along the journey, you’ll be showered in colour, dowsed in bubbles, and you’ll take memories that last a lifetime. You can do 1,2,3,4 or all 5 laps, it’s your choice! No timing and No pressure!
Date: 2026 Dates TBA
Distance: 1km loop. You can do 1,2,3,4 or all 5 laps.
Location: Foreshore Park, Newcastle East
Colour Frenzy website
I Run For Her
I Run For Her is an annual community event and campaign by Got Your Back Sista to take a stand against domestic violence and support victim-survivors. Walks and runs are hosted across Australia.
Date: 2026 Dates TBA
Distance: Choose your own distance
Location: Various locations
I Run For Her website
Fernleigh15
Run the Fernleigh Track and experience the beauty of this classic old rail line that has become the place to run and ride in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. For kids aged 5-17 there’s a 1500m race. The event will be staged in front of a huge crowd at the finish line of the main Fernleigh15 run event.
Date: Sunday 18 October 2026
Distance: 15km/1500m
Location: Fernleigh Track
Fernleigh15 website
Sparke Helmore Newcastle City Triathlon
The annual Sparke Helmore Newcastle City Triathlon is staged from Camp Shortland, near the Nobbys Beach area, on Newcastle Harbour and is one of the most picturesque courses in Australia. Take part as an individual or member of a 2-3 person relay team. There’s also Junior Triathlon distances suited for ages 7-13yrs. The atmosphere is electric with spectators close to the action on the Foreshore of Newcastle Harbour.
Date: 2026 Dates TBA
Distance: Corporate/Sprint/Junior Distances
Location: Newcastle Foreshore
Newcastle City Tri Website
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