Northern Beaches Leisure Trail
The installation of shared pathway walking and cycling links through Council's Northern Beaches Leisure Trail project, offers enhanced recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.
The vision for the trail is to create a unique recreation and tourism experience that showcases the region’s beautiful beaches and island views, and is an active transport alternative to the car.
The entire community can enjoy leisure and fitness activities on these shared pathways as they are suitable for young families using prams, people using wheelchairs, seniors with mobility devices, cyclists and pedestrians. The meandering alignment has been specifically designed for a slower paced bike ride and walk.
The ultimate goal is for the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail to extend from Palm Cove to the Cairns CBD. Council is currently delivering separate sections of the trail.
Constructed sections of the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail
Machans Beach to Holloways Beach
- Some sections of pathway have been constructed at Machans Beach and Holloways Beach
- The Barr Creek Bridge connects the suburbs of Machans Beach and Holloways Beach via a shared pathway.
Smithfield to Yorkeys Knob
- Varley Street (Dunne Road to suburb entry sign)
- Dunne Road (Cattana Wetlands to Yorkeys Knob Road)
Palm Cove to Kewarra Beach
- Some sections of pathway have been constructed at Palm Cove, Clifton Beach and Kewarra Beach.
What's next?
Clifton Beach to Kewarra Beach
Council has completed the next section of the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail (NBLT) from the end of Arlington Esplanade in Clifton Beach through to Pelican Park in Kewarra Beach and the path is open to the public. Temporary lighting is in place with the connection of permanent lighting expected to take place in May 2024.
The project, 460 metres of shared path three metres wide, includes a bridge over Deep Creek as part of a $6.4 million link between Clifton Beach and Kewarra Beach.
An official opening will be held after the Local Government elections.
The works, which are substantially going through private property under an easement arrangement, are scheduled to be complete by the end of March 2024, and will also include the installation of some lighting, CCTV, fencing and landscaping.
The project has grant funding of almost $4 million, contributed in equal parts from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Funding and the State Government under its Cycling Network Local Government Grants Program.
These works will complete a major missing link along the trail between Palm Cove and Kewarra Beach.
During construction there will be no pedestrian access along the foreshore between Clifton Beach and Kewarra Beach. The foreshore dog off-leash area is temporarily closed until further notice.
Bridge piling has now been completed. The installation of headstock and deck units will continue in the coming months.
Sections under construction
Holloways Beach and Machans Beach - Barr Creek bridge section
Council is currently constructing a pedestrian and cycle bridge over Barr Creek to connect the suburbs of Machans Beach and Holloways Beach. The bridge connects on both sides of the creek to 3-metre wide on-ground concrete pathways via short ramps.
Holloways Beach and Machans Beach - pathways sections
Council is continuing the construction of shared pathways either side of the new Barr Creek bridge. This section of the trail will be a combination of on and off-road pathway.
In Holloways Beach the path goes from the bridge to Willow Street, Tamarind Street, Coconut Street, Cassia Street , Alamanda Street and Oleander Street with a connection to Syd and Jayne Granville Park.
In Machans Beach the path crosses Air Services Australia (ASA) land linking to Marshall Street, Arnold Street and O’Shea Esplanade. There is also a new connection from Marshall St to Machans Beach State School.
Smithfield to Yorkey's Knob - Dunne Road and Varley Street
A new 3-metre wide concrete path is under construction along Dunne Road, from Old McGregor Road, Smithfield, to the intersection of Yorkey's Knob Road/Varley Street.
The pathway will continue along Varley Street, Yorkey's Knob.
For more information go to: Varley Street
Palm Cove to Clifton Beach
Some sections of pathway have been constructed at Palm Cove, Clifton Beach and Kewarra Beach.
Consultation
Our project team will continue to consult with the community as future stages of the project are planned to ensure we build a leisure trail that will prove to be an iconic drawcard for our beautiful region. For more information, please call 1300 69 22 47 or email feedback@cairns.qld.gov.au
The Northern Beaches Leisure Trail is a priority of the Active Transport Strategy ( PDF, 15.03 MB ). Various elements of the project are funded by Cairns Regional Council, the Australian Government’s Regional Jobs and Investment Packages program, and the Queensland Government’s Cycle Network Local Government Grants program.
Last Updated: 21 February 2024
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