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Riverside Park

Hunter Wetlands National Park

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Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Riverside Park.

Getting there and parking

Riverside Park is in the Ash Island precinct of Hunter Wetlands National Park. To get there from Newcastle:

  • Follow the Pacific Highway north towards Hexham
  • Turn right onto Ash Island Bridge
  • Follow the signs to Riverside Park

Road quality

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

There's a bitumen carpark at the picnic area.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Hunter Wetlands National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

Autumn

With the weather mild, now is the time to get those bicycles out and ride the paths around Ash Island.

Spring

Pack a picnic to eat at Scotts Point or Riverside Park This is also the time you'll see the cream flowers of the mangroves .

Summer

This is the best time for birdwatching at Stockton Sandspit, as many of the migratory birds are here feeding. Make sure you're there at low-tide.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

20°C and 25°C

Highest recorded

42°C

Winter temperature

Average

10°C and 18°C

Lowest recorded

1.8°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

March

Driest month

November

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

283.7mm

Facilities

Toilets

  • Flush toilets

Picnic tables

There are accessible picnic tables set on concrete slabs at the picnic area. The picnic tables are located along hard-packed ground and gravel paths.

Step-free access

There's step-free access from the carpark to the picnic tables, jetty and toilets along hard-packed ground and gravel paths.

  • Step-free outdoor pathways

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Fishing safety

Fishing from a boat, the beach or by the river is a popular activity for many national park visitors. If you’re planning a day out fishing, check out these fishing safety tips.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

River and lake safety

The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

Accessibility

Disability access level - medium

  • There's step-free access around the picnic area and to the facilities along hard-packed ground and gravel pathways.
  • There are accessible picnic tables.
  • The toilets are not accessible.

Permitted

Fishing

A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.

Prohibited

Pets

Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

Smoking

NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

Riverside Park

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Park info