The Central Coast has lots of wonderful bike paths and scooter tracks for families. We know that little legs can’t go very far, and when you have a toddler on a scooter or a preschooler on training wheels, it’s important to find a bike path that they can complete happily.
We’ve cycled across the Coast to bring you our top favourite bike and scooter paths for young kids, so that you know where to head for a ride – and, importantly, where you can break for toilets, park plays and coffee along the way.
Long Jetty Foreshore
This popular stretch along the Tuggerah Lake Cycleway is a wonderful spot for a ride as it’s located between two playgrounds and moments from Long Jetty’s café and shopping precinct. After burning off some energy at Tuggerah Lake Cycleway Playground, travel north on your chosen set of wheels. At Thompson Street you can detour for refreshments at Green Tangerine or The Glass Onion Society. Keep riding past Long Jetty Foreshore Reserve Playground (if you’re allowed!) and finish up at the famous ‘long jetty’.
Description: Concrete, flat pathway and bike track. Be mindful of the water with little ones. The track is quite exposed to the sun so hats and sunscreen are needed. There are toilets close to Long Jetty Foreshore Reserve Playground, opposite Archbold Rd.
Distance: 800m
Location: The track starts at Tuggerah Lake Cycleway Playground, Tuggerah Pde, Long Jetty (opposite 141 Elsiemer St), and finishes up at the ‘long jetty’, opposite Archbold Rd, Long Jetty.
The Entrance Skatepark
This great little circular track wraps around The Entrance Skatepark at Picnic Point Reserve. It makes for a flat and smooth ride so it’s perfect for learners, but it’s size (and proximity to the skatepark) makes it fun for those on scooters, as well as older, more confident riders. It has some pretty spectacular views of Tuggerah Lake, and is a three-minute walk to The Entrance Lake House, where you can grab coffee and takeaway treats.
Description: Concrete, flat pathway and bike track. Be mindful of the water with little ones. The track is very exposed to the sun so hats and sunscreen are needed. There are toilets at Picnic Point Reserve.
Distance: 450m
Location: The Entrance Skatepark at Picnic Point Reserve, Tuggerah Pde (opposite Manning Rd), The Entrance.
Bato Yard, Bateau Bay
Situated in one of the top skateparks in the country, this track gives you a good tour of what Bato Yard has to offer (parkour equipment, a basketball court, a 3.6m bowl!) then continues down the path above EDSACC Oval. It’s short and sweet for younger riders, and can be extended for older kids by travelling down the pathway behind Bateau Bay PCYC, past the tennis courts and over the bridge to Anne Findlay Place. There’s also easy access to Bateau Bay Square via the pedestrian tunnel next to Bato Yard. We recommend Espresso Warriors, opposite Aldi, for coffee.
Description: Concrete, flat pathway and bike track. The track is very exposed to the sun so hats and sunscreen are needed. There are toilets in between the skatepark and EDSACC Oval.
Distance: 400m
Location: Bato Yard Skate Park, 460 The Entrance Road, Bateau Bay.
Killarney Vale Foreshore
This tree-lined path along the Killarney Vale Foreshore is a scenic spot to spend an afternoon teaching kids to ride. It’s narrow (compared to wider spots along Tuggerah Lake Cycleway) and offers a few bends and small inclines that can be handled by beginners and will keep things interesting for the more experienced bike and scooter riders. It’s also quiet, protected from the sun and has plenty of grassy spots to play or kick a ball afterwards. Plus, you can check out the fully-fenced Killarney Vale Foreshore Playground on your way around!
Description: Concrete, flat pathway and bike track. Be mindful of the water with little ones. The track is shaded by large trees.
Distance: 350m
Location: The track starts at Lucinda Ave, Killarney Vale (opposite number 31), and finishes up at Lucinda Ave, Killarney Vale, (opposite number 44 and Ferndale St).
Terilbah Reserve, The Entrance
Start with a climb on the equipment at The Entrance Playground, then cruise north through the green fields, spotting pelicans and fishermen as you go! When you get to The Sensory Gardens, explore the native plants, look out onto the lake from the viewing platform, or have a rest on one of the many seats and take it all in before heading back.
Description: Paved pathway and bike track with a few small inclines. Be mindful of the water and road with little ones. The track is shaded by trees in some parts but not all, so hats and sunscreen are needed.
Distance: 1km
Location: The track starts at The Entrance Playground, 1C Wilfred Barrett Dr, The Entrance North, and finishes at The Sensory Gardens, 7 Wilfred Barrett Dr, The Entrance North.
Canton Beach Foreshore
This track is a favourite with those on the northern end of the Coast so don’t be surprised if you find lots of other families there! Get your wheels in motion, starting at Toukley Sailing Club. Meander your way through Canton Beach Foreshore, counting the different sets of play equipment as you go. Here’s a tip – the best is at the end, inside Canton Beach Community Park and Playground. We like this particular stretch for those learning to ride, but the path is 2km long so older riders might like to explore further.
Description: Concrete, flat pathway and bike track. Be mindful of the water and road with little ones. The track is quite exposed to the sun, so hats and sunscreen are needed.
Distance: 650m
Location: The track starts at Toukley Sailing Club, 77 Moss Ave, Toukley, and finishes opposite Canton Beach Community Park and Playground, Cnr Belbowrie St and Beach Pde, Canton Beach.
Carawah Reserve Walk and Adcock Park Track, West Gosford
The Carawah Reserve Walk is one of our favourite local secrets. The wooden boardwalks wind in and out of the mangrove mud flats and provide kids – and adults – with a lovely exploratory path. There are signs along the way that detail information about the mangroves, fauna, flora and tides. You’ll come across numerous viewing platforms along the way, including a wharf that juts out into Brisbane Water and offers little Thomas fans a great vantage point to watch the trains coming and going from Gosford Station. The mangrove boardwalk is only 400m long, so it’s ideal for little legs.
If you’re after a longer walk (around 30 minutes), follow the concrete bike track around the perimeter of Adcock Park.
The netball courts of Adcock Park make a great space for little kids to hoon (when games aren’t on). It’s also a great spot to take your child for those first wobbly rides without training wheels.
Description: Wooden walkways through the mangroves – water levels vary with the tide, so please beware of little ones. Bring mosquito repellent if it’s been raining.
Distance: 400m or 2.8km (see above for outline).
Location: Start at Adcock Park -near the bridge at 2 Adcock Avenue. Head into Carawah Reserve and do that loop. If you’re after a longer walk continue around the perimeter of Adcock Park back to your car.
Gosford waterfront
Gosford Waterfront has a fantastic wide walkway along its foreshore that’s perfect for little tikes. The view is stunning and offers a great vantage for pelican spotting. Kids love stopping along the way to watch local fishermen fillet their catch. Despite the wide path little risk-takers love nothing better than cruising the sandstone – we’ve not yet seen anyone topple in.
Plus, you can end the ride with a play at Lions Park.
Description: Flat concrete path. The path runs alongside Brisbane Water, so beware of young ones. No shade, so slip slop slap.
Distance: 1.2km one way.
Location: Start at the Lions Park and end at the Brian McGowan Bridge.
Centennial Park, Narara
This little-known park in Narara is home to one of our favourite bike tracks. Located opposite the Narara skate park and right next to the Sensory Park dog park, this area makes a wonderful picnic spot throughout the year. The path is surrounded by mature trees that provide shade in summer and a mass of red and yellow leaves to crunch in come Autumn.
The bike path twists and turns throughout the trees and across a little wooden bridge. It’s great for kids who want you following close behind and also for those ready to cruise about on their own.
We recommend you take a picnic rug and some lunch and make a morning of it.
Location: 162 Showground Rd, Narara.
Plan Your Route
Want more? Check out our “10 Central Coast Stroller Walks” feature for more locations that are great to take little wheels for a spin.
Know of some other great locations we should add to this feature? Email your ideas to [email protected]
