Rainforest walk to Riverside Park

Download & Print Map and Notes

45 mins

2 km One way

0 m

Moderate track

This walk leads through the heart of Hunter Wetlands National Park allowing you to explore this area rich in history and nature. The boardwalk takes you through a wetland with great water bird viewing opportunities, the rainforest walk leads you through a diverse forest with information signs about the plants. The walk then finishes with a road walk through open areas to the well-established Riverside picnic area on the banks of the Hunter River.

(0km) End of Scotts Point Way → Int of Scotts Point and Rainforest tracks

30 m

0m Easy track

From the car park[1] at the end of Scotts Point Way Kooragang, this walk heads towards then around the metal gate[2] between the timber bollard

[Pinch Point]

to walk for 15m to the 3-way intersection, marked by a large 'Welcome to Ash Island' sign [3].

(0km) Int of Scotts Point and Rainforest tracks → East end of Rainforest boardwalk

230 m

4 mins

0m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads directly away from the river, following 'The Silos' arrow[4] down across the dip

[Wheelchair Steep]

and along the dirt track passing 3 seats

[Seat]

to find the fibreglass boardwalk[5]. This walk follows the boardwalk for 200m as it winds through the wetlands giving great views and bird watching opportunities to then come to the end of the raised boardwalk and start of a dirt track.

Rainforest boardwalk

The boardwalk leads through the beautiful Kooragang Wetlands[6] giving great views of the water plants and birds. Specifically, this walk leads over the Water Ribbon Swale, an abandoned channel of the Hunter River. You might be lucky enough to see Chestnut Teal, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis, Australian White Ibis, Straw-necked Ibis, Common Greenshank, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, or if very lucky a Painted Snipe.

(0km) East end of Rainforest boardwalk → Silos car park

700 m

10 mins

0m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the east end of Rainforest boardwalk, this walk heads along the grass and dirt track, away from the boardwalk for 160m passing through a few potentially boggy sections

[Trip Hazard]

to come to a picnic table

[Picnic Table]

by the 'Fallen Ash Grove'[17] (on the right). This walk continues along the track for another 35m to pass a small timber seat

[Seat]

then the track leads past a series of plant information signs[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] for 230m to come to another small timber seat

[Seat]

[35]. From this seat this walk leads for another 150m through the forest past a few more plant information signs[36][37][38][39] to then cross a short fibreglass bridge[40]. About 35m past this small bridge the track leads past another seat

[Seat]

(on the left) then 90m later leads between the timber bollards

[Pinch Point]

to find the concrete 'Silos' car park[41] beside Millams Rd, Kooragang.

(1km) Silos car park → Riverside Park car park

1.1 km

16 mins

0m Easy track

Turn right: From the Silos car park, this walk heads[42] out of the car park and turns left to walk along side Millams Rd[43]. This walk continues along the asphalt road[44] (being careful of traffic) for 300m to head under the power lines[45] then turn left on to the dirt road[46], following 'The Lane' sign[47]. This walk then follows the dirt 'The Lane' beside the power lines for 700m to come to the asphalt Riverside Park car park[48] at the end of the road.

(2km) Riverside Park car park → Riverside Park int

30 m

0m Easy track

Continue straight: From the Riverside Park car park[49] at the end of The Lane, Kooragang, this walk heads over the grassy and gravel area through timber bollards

[Pinch Point]

[50] for less than 10m to come to an intersection just before the river, marked by a 'Riverside Park' sign[51].
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the gravel track to cross the short fibreglass bridge, keeping the river to the left. After about 10m this walk comes to a 3-way intersection with a gravel footpath, marked by an arrow post sign[52]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn around.

Riverside Park

Riverside Park is found near the end of 'The Lane', Kooragang within Hunter Wetlands National Park. There is the City Farm jetty[53] on the banks of the north arm of the Hunter River[54]. You will also find two picnic shelters[55]

[Picnic Shelter]

, each with a water tank

[Potable Water]

. There is also an accessible toilet[56]

[Toilet Accessible]

at the back of the grassy area. There are a few walks that leave from the area and it is also a popular fishing and bird watching area.

Maps for the Rainforest walk to Riverside Park 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.

Beresfield	1:25 000 Map Series	92323N BERESFIELD	NSW-92323N
Newcastle	1:100 000 Map Series	9232 NEWCASTLE	9232

Cross sectional view of the Rainforest walk to Riverside Park bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Rainforest walk to Riverside Park

Altitude analysis for Rainforest walk to Riverside Park

Accessibility Profile

This page is designed to give you a sense of the facilities that help improve access for people with disabilities or mobility restrictions. See tracknotes and map for navigation, point of interest and other information. See the Accessibility Details below for specific information about each facility.

Slope: This walk is mostly flat less than 1:12 steep.

Surface: The first 250m of this walk is on hard dirt or boardwalk paths. The following 700m follows a grassy and dirt track that becomes boggy after rain or very high tides, potentially requiring an all-terrain wheelchair or assistance. The last section follows a hardened road.

Toilets: There is 1 toilet on this walk.

Seats: There are 7 seats (including picnic tables) on this walk. They are on average 330m apart, with a maximum gap of 1170m.

Access hazards: There are 6 access hazards on this walk (such as pinch points, trip hazards or steep sections). See the Accessibility Details and track notes for specifics.

Accessibility Details

1 Pinch Point (10m)

A 1.5m gap beside a normally locked (1m high) gate.

2 Wheelchair Steep (33m)

There is a 4m long moderately steep section across the dirt/grass between the trail and the boardwalk.

3 Seat (43m)

Three timber bench seat, 55cm high, 19cm deep and 1.9m wide with no arm or backrest.

4 Trip Hazard (330m)

A 25m long boggy section of track. The track floods after heavy rain or very high tides.

5 Trip Hazard (371m)

A 10m long boggy section of narrow track. The track floods after heavy rain or very high tides.

6 Picnic Table (421m)

A timber slat picnic table and bench seat. The table is 86cm high, 70cm deep and 1.8m wide. The seats are 47cm high, 22cm deep and 1.8m wide (no backrest). With plenty of shade from a tree, on a concrete slab about 4m from track.

7 Seat (456m)

A timber bench seat, 60cm high, 20cm deep and 1.5m wide with no arm or backrest.

8 Seat (678m)

A timber bench seat, 49cm high, 22cm deep and 1.5m wide with no arm or backrest.

9 Seat (862m)

A timber bench seat, 50cm high, 19cm deep and 1.9m wide with no arm or backrest.

10 Pinch Point (946m)

Timber bollard pinchpoints around edge of carpark. The gap between the bollard are 1.4m, they are 94cm high.

11 Toilet Accessible (2009m)

Shared male/female accessible toilet. Entrance is 85cm wide, no hand basin, toilet seat 47cm high with a 87cm high handrail, in a 3x2m room.

12 Picnic Shelter (2030m)

A timber slat picnic table and bench seat under roof. The table is 79cm high, 73cm deep and 2.1m wide. The seats are 46cm high, 44cm deep and 2.1m wide (no backrest). The table is on a (6x6m) concrete slab.

13 Picnic Shelter (2030m)

A timber slat picnic table and bench seat under roof. The table is 79cm high, 92cm deep and 2.1m wide. The seats are 46cm high, 28cm deep and 2.1m wide (no backrest). The table is on a (6x6m) concrete slab. There is a second similar table opposite not in a shelter.

14 Potable Water (2030m)

Water tank beside picnic sheter. Treat water before use. Tap 60cm high on concrete slab.

15 Potable Water (2030m)

Water tank beside picnic sheter. Treat water before use. Tap 60cm high on concrete slab.

16 Pinch Point (2030m)

Plastic bollard pinch points around the edge of the carpark. The largest gap between the bollard is 1.3m, 90cm high.

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	2 km
		Time	45 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

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, 2km has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 1.3km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 700m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 2km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 1.3km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 700m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 1.3km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 700m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Rainforest walk to Riverside Park walk.

City Farm walk to Milhams Farmhouse Ruin

1.3 km Return, 30 mins

Step back in time on this short easy walk that guides you from Riverside Park picnic area to the ruins of the Milham's family farmhouse. The farm was once a vibrant dairy and today you will still see cattle grazing in the fenced paddocks alongside the walk. From the banks of the north arm of the Hun

Easy track

Scots Point Way to Riverside Park Trail

1.9 km One way, 45 mins

On this walk you follow a trail nestled between the Hunter River and the glistening wetlands. You will enjoy an abundance of water birds, water views and plenty of places to sit to take it all in. The walk starts with an optional side trip along a boardwalk before following the old road (now closed

Easy track

Riverside Park to Scotts Point

2.5 km Return, 45 mins

Explore the bank of the north arm of the Hunter River by following an old road from one picnic area to another. Starting from the well established Riverside Park picnic area, you wander along the mostly flat walk following the asphalt and gravel trail along the banks of the river, through a She Oak

Easy track

Scotts Point circuit

3.9 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk guides you around, then through the wetlands via Scott Point. You first walk along an old closed road on the banks of the Hunter River (north and south arms) then you meander along the lovely boardwalk through the heart of the wetlands then along the rainforest track to see a greater diver

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Rainforest walk to Riverside Park walk.

Mangrove Boardwalk to Schoolmasters House

1.2 km Return, 30 mins

Wander among the mangroves to step back in time to explore the old Schoolmaster's House that was part of a once vibrant community in the area. Following devastating floods in 1955, the people moved from the area with the area still being leased as farmland. Now, these wetlands are protected as part

Total climbing: 4m

Very easy

The Welcome walk

945 m One way, 30 mins

Come and meander at your own pace through this unique saltmarsh ecosystem. The timber boardwalk guides you among the mangroves as you keep an eye out for baby fish and crabs while also enjoy the birdlife. There are seats along the way making it easy to stop and just watch. There are information sign

Total climbing: 3m

Easy track

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

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

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

Richley Reserve Circuit

731 m Circuit, 30 mins

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

Total climbing: 21m

Very easy

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

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

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

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

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Rainforest walk to Riverside Park walk starts at the End of Scotts Point Way (gps: -32.838774, 151.69690)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

The Rainforest walk to Riverside Park ends at the Riverside Park car park (gps: -32.833949, 151.70895)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

A detailed forecast for this walk isn't available yet.

Current Alerts

Live alerts aren't available for this walk. Check the NPWS website for closures and the RFS for current fire danger.

Park Information

Hunter Wetlands National Park

Hunter Wetlands National Park is in Kooragang north of Newcastle. The island national park is based around a the Kooragang Wetlands is home to interesting historic and natural features. Enjoy boardwalks, river views, bike riding and picnicking.

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