The secret is well and truly out - one of the Hunter Region's best spots for bushwalking and mountain biking has made it to the top 10 list of the most popular national parks and reserves in NSW.
Glenrock State Conservation Area welcomed an estimated 1.5 million visitors in the 2024-2025 financial year, making it one of only three places outside Greater Sydney and the Central Coast to make the year's top 10.
Straddling Lake Macquarie and Newcastle, Glenrock has soared in popularity in recent years thanks to its network of mountain biking tracks, its proximity to the Fernleigh Track and its rich cultural and environmental heritage.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said COVID-19 lockdowns, together with improvements to the site's trails and parking, had prompted an increase in Glenrock's visitor numbers.
"I think a lot of people were looking closer to home for ways to get outdoors during that time, and Glenrock is stunning, it's easily accessible and it has walks and rides for people of all ages and abilities."
Glenrock now features more than 34km of mountain biking trails.
It is also recognised as one of the best spots along the Hunter's coastline for winter whale-watching.
While most visitors to Glenrock access the site via the Yuelarbah Track off Burwood Road at Whitebridge, the conservation area is a much larger, sprawling reserve covering 554 hectares from Merewether in the north to Dudley in the south.
It is home to at least 10 threatened animal species, including the squirrel glider, powerful owl and the white-bellied sea eagle, as well as threatened native plants like the black-eyed Susan.
The area has been used for thousands of years by the Awabakal people, and was the site of mining and other heavy industry before it gazettal for conservation began in 1986.
Blue Mountains National Park was the state's most popular national park or reserve with 7.8 million visits, followed by Royal National Park (4.9 million) and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (4.3 million).
