Scots Point Way to Riverside Park Trail

Download & Print Map and Notes

45 mins

1.9 km One way

0 m

Easy track

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 to traffic) along side the Green and Golden Bell Frog habitat to the delightful picnic area at Scotts Point. Then the trail leads you along the northern arm of the Hunter River to the car park at Riverside Park. Maybe pack a fishing rod, camera, binoculars or a picnic lunch taking the extra time to enjoy this unique historical and environmentally sensitive area.

(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. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

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) Int of Scotts Point and Rainforest tracks → Scotts Point

600 m

9 mins

0m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the old road directly away from the car park, keeping the sheltered sign[17] and river to the left. After 150m this walk leads past a seat

[Seat]

then after another 180m it leads past another small timber seat[18]

[Seat]

. Just 100m past this seat the walk comes to a 'Green and Golden Bell Frog' information sign[19] where the walk continues to gently meander along the edge of the wetlands for 170m to come to the Scotts Point picnic area with a sheltered sitting area

[Seat]

(on the right). There are beautiful views of the confluence of two creeks with a view across a shipping area and a bridge and distant views of the mountains.

Scotts Point

Scotts Point is home to a water tank

[Potable Water]

, picnic table

[Picnic Table]

and seating shelter

[Seat]

beside an open grassy area at the confluence of the north and south arms of the Hunter River[20]. There are views down the river to Hexham bridge and past some shipping areas[21]. There are a series of signs [22][23][24] to explain more about the local area. This is a lovely spot to rest and enjoy the river and the wetlands.

(1km) Scotts Point → Mid way pincic area

700 m

11 mins

0m Easy track

Continue straight: From Scotts Point sheltered sitting area

[Seat]

, this walk follows the old road, keeping the river to the left. After about 20m this walk leads past a picnic table

[Picnic Table]

then continues along the trail for 220m to pass a 'Scotts Point Way' sign[25] where there are more views of the wetlands[26] (to the right). The walk continues along the old road for another 250m to head past a series of large orange triangle boat navigation markers[27] with lovely views over the river[28] then the trail leads back into the she oak forest for about 200m to then cross over a 2.7m wide timber bridge[29] and come to a picnic area with two picnic tables

[Picnic Table]

(on the right).

Mid way pincic area

This relaxed picnic area is found on the banks of the north arm of the Hunter River nestled among She Oaks[30] and the wetlands. There are two picnic tables[31][32]

[Picnic Table]

on concrete slabs beside the trail. The grassy area around the tables can become boggy[33] after rain or very high tides. A pleasant naturally shaded area with some protection from light winds.

(1km) Mid way pincic area → Riverside Park car park int

530 m

8 mins

0m Easy track

Continue straight: From the picnic area

[Picnic Table]

, this walk follows the old asphalt road, directly away from the timber bridge, keeping the river to the left[34]. This walk continues along the trail for 180m to pass a single picnic table

[Picnic Table]

then another 90m to pass a timber seat

[Seat]

(on the right). Continuing along the trail for another 210m this walk leads under the power lines, veers left at the intersection to head past the stone seats

[Seat]

then over the grassy section[35] between the car park and river, to the intersection at the other end of the car park marked by a Riverside Park sign[36].

(2km) Riverside Park car park int → City Farm jetty

100 m

1 mins

-1m Easy track

Continue straight: 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[37].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Jetty' arrow[38] along the gravel path[39] keeping the river to the left. After about 40m the path leads past a sheltered picnic area

[Picnic Shelter]

and water tap

[Potable Water]

(on the right) then continues for about 30m to come to a 'Hunter Wetlands National Park' information sign[40] (on the right). Here the walk leads onto the floating jetty ramp[41] with 1m metal fence that leads to the City Farm jetty[42] (there is an 8cm step[43] to access the actual jetty platform[44]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Riverside Park

Riverside Park is found near the end of 'The Lane', Kooragang within Hunter Wetlands National Park. There is the City Farm jetty[45] on the banks of the north arm of the Hunter River[46]. You will also find two picnic shelters[47]

[Picnic Shelter]

, each with a water tank

[Potable Water]

. There is also an accessible toilet[48]

[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.

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

20 m

0m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads over the grass and gravel area[49] to the car park leading between the timber bollards

[Pinch Point]

[50] to the Riverside Park car park[51] at the end of The Lane, Kooragang.

Maps for the Scots Point Way to Riverside Park Trail 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 Scots Point Way to Riverside Park Trail bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Scots Point Way to Riverside Park Trail

Altitude analysis for Scots Point Way to Riverside Park Trail

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	1.9 km
		Time	45 mins
		.
Grade 2/6 Easy track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		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

Around 1.3km of this walk is flat with no steps, whilst the remaining 550m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 1.9km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.9km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.9km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.9km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 1.9km 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 Scots Point Way to Riverside Park Trail 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

Rainforest walk to Riverside Park

2 km One way, 45 mins

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

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

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

The Scots Point Way to Riverside Park Trail ends at the Riverside Park car park (gps: -32.833948, 151.70896)

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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