Blackbutt Reserve provides nature trails, wildlife exhibits, children’s playgrounds and recreational facilities. It is the perfect place for a relaxing family picnic or to explore the wonders of nature.

The Reserve has over 16 kilometres of tracks offering the ideal location for the enthusiastic walkers and joggers. Tracks vary from short gentle to long and hilly. You can walk through the rainforest restoration area or stroll through the open forest.

Where is it?

Blackbutt Reserve is six kilometres from Newcastle’s Central Business District, nestled in the suburbs of New Lambton and Kotara. The main entry points into the Reserve are from Carnley Avenue, Lookout Road and Freyberg Street (Richley Reserve entrance).

Reserve has easy parking at various locations. Access to visitors with disabilities is available via the Carnley Avenue entrance.

Hours

Wildlife Exhibits open 9.00am to 5.00pm every day of the year.

Picnic and recreation facilities open from:
7.00am to 5.00pm EST (Eastern Standard Time)
or
7.00am to 7.00pm DST (Daylight Saving Time periods)

Entry is FREE

How to get there

By Car: There are four main entrances into Blackbutt Reserve. These include off Carnley Ave (Blackbutt Picnic Area), Freyberg Street (Richley Reserve), Queens Road and Lookout Road.

By Bus: Buses pass by Orchardtown Road and Lookout Road. These buses are the 317 and 224.

By Train: The closest train station is Kotara. From here it is only a short walk to the Carnley Ave Blackbutt Duck Picnic Area.

Finding your way around

There are nine main walking trails through the Reserve varying in length and difficulty.

Rainforest Walk - 1.5kms approx 25mins - This trail allows walkers the opportunity to experience a diverse range of flora and fauna. It is a moderate grade walk with sloping terrain, a gully and natural creek. This trail is fully sealed.

Main Ridge Walk - 2.4kms approx 40mins - Passing the Reserve's native animal enclosures and dry forest, this trail is an easy grade with steep inclines. This trail is fully sealed.  

Blueberry Ash Walk - 0.8km approx 15mins - A steep trail that leads into dry forest alongside Black Duck Creek. This is a challenging grade with unsealed steep slopes.

Tall Trees Walk - 2.6kms approx 50mins - A great family walk with an easy grade and sealed inclines. This trail passes through Richley Picnic Area formerly an underground coalmine.

Forest Way Walk - 1.6kms approx 30mins - Heading to Ridgeway Road, the trail allows a unique view of the Reserve's bushland by passing both dry and wet forests. This is a moderate grade with open paths.

Lookout Road Trail - 0.6km approx 15mins - Commencing in the Rainforest area the trail leads to the subway and lookout areas. A steep incline makes it a challenging grade.

Bower Bird Creek Trail - 0.8km approx 20mins - This trail located in the northern end of the Reserve is home to Satin Bowerbirds. Steep terrain and unsealed surfaces make it a challenging grade.

Sensory Trail - 0.8km approx 15mins - Located in the Rainforest Area this is an easy grade with minimum incline making it ideal for families.

The Board Walk - 0.5km approx 20mins - The Board Walk, an easy wheelchair accessible facility, offers visitors the chance to see indigenous flora and fauna in modern wildlife exhibits. 

The location of different walking trails are shown on the Map 1mb pdf.

Areas within Blackbutt Reserve have been developed for recreational and picnic activities. There are four main picnic areas:

• Black Duck Picnic Area (located off Carnley Avenue)
• Richley Picnic Area (located off Freyberg Street)
• Dead Tree Picnic Area
• Lily Pond Picnic Area (located off the corner of Queens Road and Mahogany Drive).

• Lookout Road upper and lower picnic areas

Recreation facilities include:

• Barbecues
• Playgrounds
• Picnic facilities
• Photography
• Bird watching
• Peaceful areas for relaxation

Contact us

Blackbutt Reserve
C/- Rangers Cottage

Carnley Avenue, Kotara NSW 2289
Telephone: 02 4904 3344
Facsimile: 02 4904 3355
Email: blackbuttadmin@ncc.nsw.gov.au