Blackbutt Reserve
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.
Whats On
Hunter Recovery Celebration - 6 & 7 September
The June 07 Disaster is still very fresh in the minds of the Hunter Community with some of those most affected still trying to rebuild, repair and bring normality back to their lives.
To assist those most affected, share stories and spend time with family and friends the Blackbutt Support Group Inc, funded by the Hunter Recovery Fund and Newcastle City Council is holding a Free Family Event.
Activities on the weekend will include free kids activities, barbeques, free wildlife encounters, music and entertainment, volunteer displays, emergency service displays, market stalls, and community tree planting.
Spotlight Adventures - Saturday evenings 6 September - 4 October
Experienced guides will lead you through Blackbutt Reserve at night to discover what our animals do when the sun goes down. Observe possums, owls, bats, insects and other nocturnal wildlife. To complete the experience traditional billy tea and damper will be served by the campfire after the walk.
Dates: 6, 13, 20, 27 September and 4 October
Time: 7.00pm - 8.30pm
Cost: $10 per adult, $5 per child and $25 per family (2 adults and up to 3 children). Bookings essential.
Wake Up! Fun Run 2008 – 20 September
Organised by Wake Up!, the University of Newcastle Global Health Group. All Proceeds will go towards Operation Smile, an international charity organisation that provides free surgeries for children suffering from facial deformities. For more information, go to www.operationsmile.org
Date: 20 September, 2008
Time: 2pm, report at 1pm
Venue: Blackbutt Reserve, Richley Entrance
Distances: 1.5km, 5km, 10km
For registration and more information, go to http://wakeupfunrun.wordpress.com/
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 and Richley Reserve entrances.
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 (Black Duck 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 Black Duck Picnic Area.
Discover Blackbutt
Blackbutt Reserve has two main picnic areas:
Richley Reserve - entrance via Freyberg Street, New Lambton
This area is full of history, an active mine site for over 30 years the area has been restored to a beautiful peaceful picnic area. With large grassed flats, barbeques and picnic tables this is the ideal location for any family function.
Facilities: Toilets, playground, two barbecue shelters (one wheelchair accessible), electric and wood fired barbecues and two duck ponds
Black Duck Picnic Area - entrance via Carnley Avenue, Kotara
This family friendly location boasts a range of captive native wildlife exhibits including koalas, wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, emus and native birds. A children’s playground, duck pond, barbeque shelters and information centre can also be found at this entrance.
Facilities: Toilets, playground, two barbecue shelters, picnic tables, electric and wood fired barbecues, captive wildlife exhibits, information centre, duck pond
The location of different walking trails are shown on the Map 1mb pdf.
Other areas within Blackbutt Reserve have been developed for recreational and picnic activities. These include:
- 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
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
