Riverside Park
Hunter Wetlands National Park
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
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.
Operated by
- Newcastle office
- Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
- 02 4946 4100
- npws.lowerhunter@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 1 Wetlands Place, Shortland NSW 2307
Park info
- in Hunter Wetlands National Park in the North Coast region
Hunter Wetlands National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.