It is believed to be the first time since 1850 that the site has been open to the public.

It will link the waterfront with Berriedale, north of Hobart and people will be able to ride or walk to the Cenotaph, the new Remembrance Bridge, the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre and the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

The opening coincides with the Australian Wooden Boat Festival and the Royal Hobart Regatta this weekend.

Mac Point chief executive Mary Massina said the cycleway conncected people to and from Berriedale to the city and Salamanca.

“It’s been a joy to see the number of people already utilising the cycleway on bikes, scooters and skateboards as well as people walking and running on the path,” Ms Massina said.

“We know that the Intercity Cycleway carries up to 1200 cyclists per day and we look forward to seeing how many people will traverse our site to explore this new connection.

“We also know that more and more commuters are choosing to avoid the traffic and ride to work so this new cycleway through Mac Point becomes a vital link.”

Ms Massina said the extension of the cycleway through Mac Point provided a more cyclist-friendly path and improved safety by separating pedestrians and cyclists from the major arterial road.

Bicycle Network Tasmania spokesperson Alison Hetherington welcomed the cycleway.

“We need more comfortable places to ride if cycling is going to be a viable transport option and the Mac Point path ticks that box,” she said.

​Royal Hobart Regatta Association president Geoff Lucas said the cycleway was important for the area.

“It’s fantastic to see the cycleway open in time for the regatta, this will allow easy access to one of Australia’s largest and oldest aquatic events,” he said.

“It will also make the historic John Colvin Memorial Grandstand more accessible year round providing one of the best waterfront views in Hobart.”