Newcastle-Attractions
NEWCASTLE ATTRACTIONS
Newcastle is a well kept secret when it comes to finding things
to explore. We have compiled a list of some of the attactions
you can find around the region
Blackbutt Reserve
Nothing more could give the lie to the notion that Newcastle is an exclusively industrial
area than Blackbutt Reserve, one of the highlights of any trip to Newcastle. This beautiful
area (180 ha) of tall blackbutt forest, woodland and rainforest pockets contains a wealth
of flora, birdlife and other animals well within the boundaries of suburban Newcastle,
south-west of the city and due south of Lambton. The surrounding vegetation is quite
dense and lush with a good canopy, perhaps a reminder of how the land here looked
before white settlement. The strange sounds of the Australian bush are quite astonishingly
loud and clear at dusk. What is more it is all free.
The main and by far the best recreation area is the elaborately developed Black Duck Picnic
Area at the southern end of Carnley Ave (which constitutes the eastern boundary of the reserve),
not far from its intersection with Charlestown Rd. There is a large carpark, a very large, open
grassed area for play with childrens' recreational facilities, toilets and shelter sheds, a
pioneer cottage which replicates the rough style of domestic housing utilised by early and
mid-nineteenth century settlers, a large pond with a range of waterbirds, a very large enclosure
full of kangaroos, emus, euros and peacocks and, finally, a fenced-off wildlife exhibit
which is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily.
With regards to the latter a wooden pathway leads past a series of observation platforms
which overlook enclosures within which are some beautiful and brilliantly coloured bird
species including the appropriately-named black-winged stilt, the very peculiar rufous
night heron, turquoise and king parrots, rosellas, coucals, curlews, the crested pigeon
with its peculiar mating dance, the tiny and delicate peaceful dove and the lustrous
tropical colours of the lorikeets. The walkway leads to a larger viewing area which encircles
an enclosure full of koalas in tree forks. Beyond it is a rocky ledge occupied by wallabies and
wallaroos.
Near the carpark is a large signpost which features a map of the whole reserve with its
access points and its walking trails, their points of origin and termination and their lengths.
From the southern end of the Black Duck carpark is a signpost indicating the circular Main
Ridge Walk (2.4 km), which also takes in the picnic area adjacent Lookout Rd, and the
Rainforest Walk (2 km). Another trail behind the kangaroo enclosure heads off to the
northern picnic areas. They can also be reached by driving north along Carnley Ave and
turning left into Orchardtown Rd. The third left is Freyberg St, at the end of which lies Richley
Reserve.
If you continue to the end of Orchardtown Rd then turn left into Queens Rd you will come to
the Mahogany Picnic Area from whence there are more signposted walking tracks, although
this area is more thinly vegetated, less interesting and not so well maintained. However,
if you follow the road around the corner as it becomes Mahogany Drive then a driveway to
the right leads to a very pleasant clearing with a readily identifiable walking path which starts
you on the circular Tall Tree Ridge Walk (45 minutes) through very tall open forest and woodlands.
There is another well-signposted recreation area on the eastern side of Lookout Rd. This
section has two levels. There is a picnic area just off Lookout Rd which is the starting point
for the Lookout Walk (20 minutes), supposedly offering spectacular views, though
sometimes the dense tree growth obscures the vista. A subsidiary road leads down to
the Main Ridge Picnic Area from whence signposted walking trails head off into the very
attractive and quite dense bushland, ranging in length from the very pleasant Senses Track
(150 m) through the Rainforest Walk (1.5 km) to the Main Ridge Walk. For further information
ring (02) 4952 1449.
Shortland Wetlands Centre
The Wetlands Centre is a 45-hectare area on the edge of Hexham Swamp which has been
returned to its natural state after spells as a rubbish dump and a football club in the days
when marshland was regarded as waste ground. There are walking trails, ranging from
300 m to 1.6 km, interpretation trails with help stations, a bicycle trail (3 km - also suitable
for walking) which takes in an old Aboriginal stone manufactory site, a canoe trail along
Ironbark Creek and its tributaries, bicycle and canoe hire (or bring your own), picnic and
barbecue facilities, ands a visitors' centre where there is a theatrette, a classroom/laboratory
(the centre caters for schools and research groups), a cafe and souvenirs for sale.
There are around 170 species of birds on the grounds, including about 30 which breed on-site.
Some, such as the freckled duck and magpie geese are rare or endangered. Other species
include black swans, ibis, superb blue wrens, nankeen night herons, brown honey sparrows,
little grebes, yellow-faced honeyeaters, dusky moorhens, red-rumped parrots, willy wagtails,
swamp hens and egrets. The latter nest in paperbark trees in summer and can be viewed
from a special viewing tower (bring your binoculars). There are also reptiles, amphibians, mammals,
insects, fish and other pond life.
To get there turn south off the highway at Sandgate along Wallsend Rd which becomes Sandgate Rd,
then turn right at the roundabout. For furter information contact the Centre on (02) 4951 6466 or
twc@wetlands.org.au. They are open seven days from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Mt Sugarloaf Lookout
Main Rd, which heads west off Lookout Rd adjacent Blackbutt Reserve, becomes George Booth
Drive near West Wallsend and continues on beyond Seahampton, at the outskirts of Newcastle,
towards Kurri Kurri. Just beyond Seahampton is a signposted turnoff to the left into Mt Sugarloaf Rd
which takes you to the top of Mt Sugarloaf itself where, at 412 m above sea-level, there are picnic
and barbecue areas, several walking tracks (ranging from 275 m to 1.6 km) and some magnificent
views of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Lower Hunter Valley. The two large steel structures at
the top are TV transmitters.
Newcastle Regional Museum
Located at 787 Hunter St, Newcastle West, Newcastle Regional Museum is a large modern centre
housed within an old brewery with a range of displays relating to the industrial and technological
heritage of the city, including a major coalmining exhibition, items of social history and, perhaps its
greatest attraction, the Supernova Science Centre - a very much child-oriented, hands-on,
interactive science display on the top floor which includes Mininova for 3 to 8 year olds. It is
open every day but Mondays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and entry is free, contact (02) 4974 1400
Activities Centres
There are a number of activities centres of different types in the larger Newcastle area.
Go Karts Go is located at Energy Australia Stadium in Broadmeadow (tel: 02 4952 9129),
Newcastle Supa Putt, at the corner of Turton Rd and Griffiths Rd, Broadmeadow (tel: 02 4952 1344), .
To contact Newcastle Paintball ring 1800 633 317.
