Recreation and sports facilities
When it comes to recreation and sport, Maitland is blessed with countless options. There’s something for those who are up at the crack of dawn running, cycling and paddling, to those who dabble in weekend team sports or are just after a place to take the dog to stretch their legs.
Adding to Maitland's strong sporting community, redevelopment of the No. 1 Sportsground has gifted the city with a facility to rival some of the best in NSW. The field has already attracted national attention when hosting the Knights for three pre season trial games in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The additional regional athletics centre will provide the community with a 400m synthetic track and associated field facilities, amenities building, spectator seating and car parking. Together the two sites bring to life the Maitland Regional Sports Hub.
The Maitland netball courts have also had some significant redevelopment take place, with court upgrades, a new club house and energy efficient LED floodlights installed. The facility is the only one outside of Sydney capable of hosting championships, placing Maitland in good stead to host netball events as well as provide a first-class facility for community members to play on.
Maitland's many facilities cater for a variety of sports such as croquet, hockey, tennis, cricket and soccer. However they do extend beyond just team sport pursuits, with seven skateparks across the city and a BMX track at the Beryl Humble Sporting Complex in Tenambit.
Use our map tool to locate our sports facilities and skate parks.
Lap up the warm weather and dive into one of the two Olympic size outdoor pools at East Maitland and Maitland Aquatic Centres. If swimming year round is more your style there is a 25m indoor pool at the Maitland complex.
The $9.7 million indoor facility was opened in July 2017 and was delivered as part of Council's Capital Works program.
Find out more about our Aquatics Centre.
Enjoy the outdoors at one of our many parks. Meet friends for a walk, go for a run, or let the kids blow off some steam at one of our great playgrounds.
Maitland Park is a popular leisure and sporting facility that caters to both winter and summer sporting opportunities. These include an Olympic sized solar heated swimming pool and a year round 25m indoor swimming pool, croquet lawn, netball courts, cricket, soccer, football grounds and a state of the art hockey field. Maitland Park also boasts a three metre wide shared pathway that loops 1.8km around the park for everyone to access and enjoy. The children's playground will keep all ages entertained and has a wheelchair accessible swing. Barbeque facilities, picnic tables and a great grassed area around the playground allow you to spread out to enjoy the outdoors.
Walka Water Works is a heritage listed 19th century pumping station. In 1887 the station provided the Lower Hunter Valley with their first permanent water supply and was in operation until 1923. Situated only 2km outside of Central Maitland, the 112 hectare site offers picnic and barbeque facilities, walking trails and a miniature railway operates on designated weekends. Please note: Walka Water Works is currently closed until further notice.
Bakers Brickyard in Raworth is a popular park enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, and more recently dogs. It has undergone some significant upgrades, with an off leash dog exercise area, new toilets installed, a barbeque area and shade cover. The park has a good variety of play equipment, including a bike path the entire way around the inside of the fence line and a duo flying fox swing.
We know you may have your favourite parks which are typically located close to home, however we recommend next time you're out and about to explore the variety of parks Maitland has to offer.
Use our map tool to find a park, you never know, you may just find a new favourite.
When it comes to recreation in Maitland, there is truly something for the whole family, even the dog. Dogs are welcome at the various off leash dog parks across the city. Our off leash dog parks are clearly signposted and bins are provided for you to clean up after your pets. These parks provide the space for your pooch to run free unencumbered and get some exercise.
Use our map tool to locate an off leash park close to you.
If cycling is your activity of choice Maitland has a growing cycleway network and provides a variety of bicycle facilities for your enjoyment. The existing cycleway already takes in areas around Maitland Park and the Hunter River, extending out towards Thornton and Rutherford. Aside from the formalised routes, rural roads around Duckenfield and South Maitland are quiet places to take a scenic ride. So grab your helmet, dust of your bike and enjoy the fresh air and exercise while peddling around the city.
Check out our cycleway pocket map and cycling information.
