Richley Reserve Circuit

Download & Print Map and Notes

30 mins

731 m Circuit

21 m

Very easy

This easy walk, which is wheelchair accessible, travels through open grasslands that are surrounded by healthy eucalyptus forest. The grasslands have two large ponds, with two black swans on the lower pond. Do beware of the swans defending their territory. Richley Reserve is well maintained and makes this walk particularly attractive. This walk is recommended.

Sign at Richley Reserve in Blackbutt Reserve

Richley Reserve Car Park Blackbutt Reserve

Sheltered picnic tables in Richley Reserve in Blackbutt Reserve

Large pond with black swan in Richley Reserve

Trail and open grasslands in Richley Reserve in Blackbutt Reserve

Toilet at Richley Reserve in Blackbutt Reserve

Sign in Richley Reserve in Blackbutt Reserve

Timber bridge over creek in Richley Reserve in Blackbutt Reserve

Black swan in large pond in Richley Reserve

Timber bridge by large pond in Richley Reserve

Timber bridge by pond with black swan in Richley Reserve in Blackbutt Reserve

Grasslands with a large pond in the distance at Richley Reserve

Large pond with outlet at Richley Reserve in Blackbutt Reserve

Wide sealed trail with grasslands at Richley Reserve

Timber bridge over Coal Mine Creek at Richley Reserve

Wide sealed trails at Richley Reserve in Blackbutt Reserve

Wide trail with timber steps on the right at Richley Reserve

Wide trail at Richley Reserve in Blackbutt Reserve

Trail behind the office building at Richley Reserve

Gently downhill trail at Richley Reserve

Sealed trail in Richley Reserve in Blackbutt Reserve

Trail through open trees at Richley Reserve

Trail amongst trees and grassland at Richley Reserve in Blackbutt Reserve

Trail with garage bin in the distance in Richley Reserve

Intersection near the Richley Reserve Car Park in Blackbutt Reserve

Sealed trail with the Richley Reserve Car Park in the distance

Blackbutt Reserve

Blackbutt Reserve, near Newcastle, occupies over 182 hectares of land and provides visitors with the chance to enjoy nature trails[1], wildlife exhibits[2][3], children's playgrounds[4] and recreational facilities. The reserve is the perfect place for a relaxing family picnic or to explore on a bushwalk. Native wildlife, such as the Powerful Owl and the Grey-headed flying fox[5] can be seen within the park. There is an information cottage[6] at Carnley Avenue, which is open 7am to 5pm, or 7am to 7pm during daylight savings. The reserve has car parking at Carnley Avenue, Richley Reserve, Lookout Road and Mahonoy Drive. For more information, phone 02 4904 3344.

Richley Reserve

The Richley Reserve, within Blackbutt Reserve, has a park office[7], large pond areas[8] with swans (beware the swans[9] as they defend their territory), sheltered picnic tables[10], water taps[11], toilets[12], open grassed areas[13], a children's playground[14], electric barbecues[15] and a car park[16]. The Richley Reserve car park has disability friendly parking and is open from 7am to 5pm or 7am to 7pm during daylight savings. For further information phone 02 4904 3344.

(0km) Richley Reserve (car park) → Richley Reseve (four way intersection)

180 m

3 mins

-2m Very easy

From the Richley Reserve car park[17] (next to the 'Tall Tree Ridge Walk' sign[18]), this walk follows the footpath[19], while keeping the sign[20] and pond[21] on your right. This walk continues with the pond on your right for about 180m, until the footpath becomes gently uphill and comes to a four-way intersection[22], with a timber footbridge[23] on the right and a children's playground[24] on the left.

(0km) Richley Reserve (Four Way Intersection) → Richley Reserve (Short Cut Intersection)

260 m

5 mins

-10m Very easy

Turn left: From the intersection[25][26], this walk follows the trail gently uphill, while initially keeping the children's playground[27] on your left and the timber footbridge[28] directly behind you. This walk continues for about 160m, passing a toilet block (on your left) and timber steps[29][30] (on your right), to find a gently downhill section of trail (with a sheltered picnic area[31] on the left). Then this walk continues straight ahead and gently uphill for about 120m, until coming to a section of trail[32][33][34] that allows easy access to the large elevated grassed picnic area[35] to the right.

(0km) Richley Reserve (Short Cut Intersection) → Int of Richley Reserve & Tall Tree Walk (loop)

90 m

2 mins

-4m Very easy

Continue straight: From the trail[36][37] below the large elevated grassed picnic area[38], this walk follows the trail gently downhill, while keeping the valley on your left. This walk continues through grassed parkland[39] for about 120m, until coming to a three-way intersection[40] with a sealed trail and a 'Tall Tree Walk (loop)' sign[41] (on the right).

(1km) Int of Richley Reserve & Tall Tree Walk (loop) → Richley Reserve (Car Park)

200 m

4 mins

-5m Very easy

Turn left: From the intersection[42][43], this walk follows the sealed trail gently downhill, keeping the 'Tall Tree Walk (loop)' sign[44] directly behind you while walking towards the road and car park. This walk continues for about 45m, passing through a metal gate[45] to find a three-way intersection, with a road[46] on the right and the car park[47] on the left. Then this walk turns left and follows the car park gently uphill for about 150m, until coming to a 'Tall Tree Ridge Walk' sign[48] and sheltered picnic tables[49][50] ahead.

Maps for the Richley Reserve Circuit walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Wallsend	1:25 000 Map Series	92323S WALLSEND	NSW-92323S
Newcastle	1:100 000 Map Series	9232 NEWCASTLE	9232

Cross sectional view of the Richley Reserve Circuit bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Richley Reserve Circuit

Altitude analysis for Richley Reserve Circuit

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	731 m
		Time	30 mins
		.
Grade 1/6 Very easy	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
		Quality of track	Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

This whole walk, 730m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 730m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 730m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 730m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 730m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 730m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Richley Reserve Circuit walk.

Tall Trees Circuit Walk

2.8 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk circumnavigates Coal Mine Creek on good trails. The walk starts and finishes at Richley Reserve, which has excellent picnic facilities combined with a lovely outlook over large ponds. The well established eucalyptus forest that this walk travels through surrounds you as you walk along th

Total climbing: 90m

Moderate track

Richley Reserve to Carnley Reserve Circuit

2.9 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

A great family length walk that takes in both of the large reserves in the Blackbutt Park. This walk starts at Richley Reserve and travels to Carnley Reserve and the Wildlife Exhibits before returning a different way to Richley Reserve. Never far from facilities, this walk suits families or those wh

Total climbing: 96m

Moderate track

Blackbutt Explorer

6 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

A meandering walk that takes in much of what Blackbutt Reserve has to offer. This walk completes a figure 8 while following the trails around Blackbutt Reserve. The side trip to the Wildlife Exhibits is considered a must see. There are many opportunities to stop along this walk, be it at a seat a

Total climbing: 225m

Moderate track

Blackbutt Circuit Walk

6.5 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk is a good longer option walking experience at Blackbutt Reserve. This walk visits the two larger picnic areas of Richley Reserve and Carnley Reserve, as well as the Lily pond and Rain Forest picnic areas. A highlight to this walk is the throughly recommended side trip to the Wildlife Exh

Total climbing: 245m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Richley Reserve Circuit walk.

Forestway Circuit Walk

2.7 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This is a good walk, a highlight being the delightful Lily Pond picnic area, with its lush vegetation and attractive flowers. This walk travels through eucalyptus forest as well as one section of road walking through a quiet suburban street. The side trip to Richley Park is worthwhile to access th

Total climbing: 91m

Moderate track

Black Duck Creek Circuit Walk

2.1 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This walk circumnavigates Black Duck Creek by following the shady Blueberry Ash trail. The walk then returns to Carnley Reserve using the Main Ridge Walking Trail. This relatively short walk has a good combination of shady moist forest and more exposed ridge forest. Make sure you visit the Wildli

Total climbing: 89m

Moderate track

Rod Earp Rain Forest Circuit (from Lookout Rd)

1.9 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This quiet and secluded walk is an easy amble through attractive rainforest. This walk circumnavigates Rainforest Creek and takes the walker into cool dense forest. You are likely to see flying foxes in the trees and if you are lucky, a Powerful Owl. Accessed from the quieter Lookout Road car par

Total climbing: 104m

Moderate track

Main Ridge Circuit Walk

2.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This walk follows a wide trail along eucalyptus lined broad ridges as it circumnavigates Black Duck Creek. This walk starts and finishes at Carnley Reserve and while there, why not enjoy a picnic and/or visit to the Wildlife Exhibits. Combined with the excellent facilities at Carnley Reserve, thi

Total climbing: 92m

Moderate track

Rod Earp Rainforest Circuit (from Carnley Ave)

2 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This walk takes the walker into a dense cool rainforest that seems a world away from the hustle and bustle of Newcastle city. You're likely to see flying foxes in the trees and, if you're lucky, a Powerful Owl. Starting and finishing at the Carnley Ave Reserve, this walk can easily be combined wit

Total climbing: 99m

Moderate track

Blackbutt Wildlife Exhibit

480 m Circuit, 15 mins

A must do at Blackbutt Reserve. This wheelchair accessible elevated boardwalk gets you in amongst the trees, as you amble through enclosure after enclosure of native flora and fauna. There are even close encounters with Koalas!. This free walk is open 9am to 5pm every day (closed Christmas Day, G

Total climbing: 14m

Very easy

Charlestown Park track head to Merewether

7.9 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins

Starting from a small park in Charlestown you will follow the Great North Walk through a few reserves and along a Burwood Beach, past the heads to Merewether Beach. Exploring bush around Glenrock lagoon on the Yuelarbah Track, including the Leichhardt’s Lookout are highlights. From this lookout th

Total climbing: 183m

Hard track

Charlestown Park trackhead to Newcastle station

12.1 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Charleston Park track head and winds through the streets and the bush to the Glenrock State Conservation Area. Following a section of the Yuelarbah management trail, this walk also heads to the coast and down to the beaches. From near Glenrock La

Total climbing: 289m

Hard track

Yuelarbah walking track to Flaggy Creek

1.3 km Return, 40 mins

A great way to explore the tree canopy and valley in one easy walk. From the car park, you will be lead along a 100m long elevated timber boardwalk that brings you eye level with the tree canopy. Continue into the valley following the gently undulating wide track to cross Flaggy Creek using a solid

Total climbing: 52m

Easy track

Merewether to Queens Wharf

4.4 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

Starting from Merewether, you will mostly follow the coast line to Queens Wharf. After exploring some of Newcastle's (and arguably Australia's) best beaches, the grand views from Strzelecki Lookout, you then wander through King Edward Park where you can take the optional side trip to the intriguing

Total climbing: 104m

Moderate track

Awabakal Coastal Walk

1.9 km One way, 45 mins

This walk traverses the Awabakal Nature Reserve. Starting from Dudley in the north, this walk travels south through coastal heath and forest, until coming to Redhead. The vegetation throughout this walk is particularly attractive during the wildflower season of July to October. The side trip out

Total climbing: 21m

Hard track

Awabakal Viewpoint Walk

948 m Return, 30 mins

This short walk from the Awabakal car park out to the Awabakal Viewpoint offers a relaxing walk through native forest, with a quiet and secluded viewpoint at the end. The native heath throughout this walk is particularly attractive when in flower (July to October). Why not take a blanket and enjoy

Total climbing: 10m

Hard track