From skate parks that satisfy seasoned skaters to bikeable nature reserves and uninterrupted paved pathways for prams, there are plenty of places in and around Maitland to discover on wheels.
Any time of year is an ideal time to get on two wheels or more in and around Maitland. The Hunter Valley city’s pleasant weather, coupled with its relatively flat terrain makes it a locale ripe for exploration on all kinds of wheels.
Why not pull out the pram and pop the balance bike in the boot, pump up the tyres on a trusty bike. Whatever your preference, there are plenty of ways to enjoy local parklands and roadways, in and around Maitland… without having to spend a cent!
Strap on some skates
Locals and visitors chasing a cheap, safe and fun way to get fit can do so by lacing up a pair of roller skates and going rolling in one of Maitland’s many parks and on peaceful back roads.
Many local parks in and around Maitland feature sealed, uninterrupted pathways, making them prime places for skaters starting out, as well as those with skills onboard. When the weather starts to cool, roller skating lessons and social events kick off at PCYC Maitland in James St.
Local roller skating group, the Maitland City Rollers regularly meets for a social skate in Maitland Park and at the newly redeveloped Harold Gregson Park. In the cooler months, Maitland PCYC on James Street on a Monday night is the skating group’s indoor venue.
It’s great skates at Harold Gregson Park
A modern skate park featuring a mix of ramps, boxes, and ledges to challenge skaters of different abilities, a carpark and full sized basketball court are among the highlights of the recently redeveloped Harold Gregson Park, co-funded by the NSW Government and Maitland City Council.
The space’s many facilities, including the 900m pathway loop, are already attracting keen skateboarders, roller skaters and BMX enthusiasts of all ages. A play tower, an events lawn and picnic shelters are other park features.
It’s far from boring on a board
Those who love skateboarding in a space that gets the heart pumping can head over to Lawes Street Skate Park. The two metre deep bowl at the park measures 20m x 8m wide and is proving to be a major drawcard for the Tony Hawks of 2024, so too the all-weather shelter, social seating space and bubbler.
Get the kids on the courts
When the netballs stop bouncing and the whistles aren’t blowing, it’s game on for Maitland Netball Court in Maitland Park for rollerbladers, roller skaters, scooter riders and skateboarders. There are 32 courts, giving locals and visitors bucketloads of space to get wheels in motion.
Love the loop at Maitland Park
The infinitely joyous squawks of little kids regularly echo along the fully accessible 1.8km pathway hugging Maitland Park. This loop is proving ever popular among locals.
Riding high on a backstreet beauty
Maitland, Morpeth and surrounds offer rides for all kinds of cyclists. Take for example the 20km return ride from Maitland to Morpeth. This ride starts from The Levee Precinct and utilises several back streets and cycle paths to picturesque Morpeth.
Another local favourite is Walka Water Works. ‘Walka’ features a cycle path that takes people through beautiful native bushland. There’s also a shared pathway in development which will eventually run from Morpeth to Walka Water Works. The first stage of this shared pathway, connecting Robert Street to Illalaung Park, is now complete and offers breathtaking views of the Hunter River.
Tracking well at Maitland Tenambit BMX Track
Grab your gloves, pop on a helmet, and start pedalling a mountain bike, street bike, or BMX racer at the Maitland Tenambit BMX Track. People of all ages and abilities can turn up any time to ride this well-maintained track which has a well-sized, three metre start hill and plenty of dips and hills to keep riders happy. It’s located in a patch of bushland off Metford Rd Tenambit, near the East Maitland Golf Club.
