Hunter Wetlands National Park
Overview
Just a short drive from Newcastle is Hunter Wetlands National Park, a wildlife sanctuary with family-friendly walking, cycling, fishing and birdwatching.
Read more about Hunter Wetlands National Park
It’s hard to believe Hunter Wetlands National Park, a haven for nature-lovers, is so close to the city of Newcastle. Pop the kids and their bikes in the car and head to Ash Island, where Riverside Park is just the spot for a picnic and easy cycling – or walks if you prefer – through rainforests and mangroves. You can also meander to the old World War II radar station or explore the ruins of Milham’s Farmhouse.
For twitchers, this is paradise. More than 200 species of birds either live in or migrate through the Hunter estuaries. One of the most popular spots for birdwatching is Stockton Sandspit, right next to Stockton Bridge, where shorebirds such as curlews and avocets come to roost and feed.
The diverse ecosystems also mean that underwater life is abundant. Bring your fishing rod or handline and try your luck off the jetty at Riverside Park. You won’t be the only one trying to catch a fish – pelicans, cormorants and sea eagles are often spotted here.
The park covers 2 sections, the Kooragang area in the east and Hexham Swamp / Burraghihnbihng (pronunciation) in the west. Its wetland system is internationally recognised and contains the second largest area of mangroves in NSW.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/hunter-wetlands-national-park/local-alerts
Contact
- 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.
-
-
Newcastle office
02 4946 4100
Contact hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. - 1 Wetlands Place, Shortland NSW 2307
-
Email: npws.lowerhunter@environment.nsw.gov.au
-
Newcastle office
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Hunter Wetlands National Park.
Map
Map legend
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
From Newcastle:
- Drive north along the Pacific Highway towards Hexham
- Just before Hexham McDonalds (on the left at the lights), turn right across the Ash Island Bridge.
Parking
- Stockton sandspit See on map
Road quality
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
By bike
Check out the Bicycle information for NSW website for more information.
By public transport
For information about public transport options, visit NSW Transport – Newcastle Buses and Ferries.
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
Maps and downloads
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.
Nearby towns
Newcastle (14 km)
Newcastle is a harbour city surrounded by amazing surf beaches that are linked by a great coastal walk, the Bathers Way. The walk from Nobbys Beach to Merewether Beach takes about three hours and is a great way to explore the city.
Charlestown (16 km)
Charlestown lies just 12 km south of Newcastle. It's a key town centre at the northern end of Lake Macquarie.
Cessnock (38 km)
Some of the finest wines in the world are created in the Hunter Valley and its towns, gourmet food is acclaimed and luxury, boutique accommodations are matched by the most beautiful natural scenery.
Learn more
Hunter Wetlands National Park is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:
World-class wetlands
Hunter Wetlands National Park makes up part of the Hunter Estuary Wetlands Ramsar site (the Ramsar convention recognises wetlands of international importance). This peaceful area is important for many species of birds, including 45 that migrate internationally. The green and golden bell frogs, both threatened species, breed in the freshwater lagoons. The mangroves here also provide maternity roosts for tiny bats, including the eastern free-tail bat.
- Rainforest walk to Riverside Park Rainforest walk to Riverside Park, near Newcastle, is suitable for walking or cycling and crosses Ash Island, ending by the river where you can fish and birdwatch.
- Riverside Park The family-friendly Riverside Park, near Newcastle, is the perfect base for cycling, walking, fishing and birdwatching on Ash Island.
Feather bluster
The Hunter River and its estuaries are home to a number of habitats - freshwater wetlands, mangroves and coastal rainforest among them - making the area a haven for birdlife. More than 200 species of birds live here or pass through on their migration. Head to Stockton Sandspit, where shorebirds - plovers, oystercatchers and curlews, to name a few - roost and feed on the mud flats. Along the river foreshore, you'll also likely see pelicans, spoonbills, black swans and, sweeping over the water searching for fish, sea eagles and swamp harriers.
- Guided kayak adventures at Smiths Island Spend a day exploring mangrove forests and islands by kayak on this tour of Hunter Wetlands National Park with the friendly guides from the School of Yak. It’s a great way to reconnect with nature in this birdwatchers’ paradise around Smiths Island.
- The Earth's environment Did you know that over 10 per cent of NSW is a national park? That’s over 7 million hectares. This Stage 2 (Years 3-4) Geography excursion is delivered Hunter Wetlands National Park.
Early evidence
Get a taste of some of the area's history. From the picnic area at Riverside Park, you can walk through the Kooragang City Farm precinct and find the ruins of the farmhouse and dairy built by William Milham, who ran a property here with the first European owner of Ash Island, AW Scott. Also on the island is a heritage-listed World War II radar 'igloo'.
- Rainforest walk to Riverside Park Rainforest walk to Riverside Park, near Newcastle, is suitable for walking or cycling and crosses Ash Island, ending by the river where you can fish and birdwatch.
- Scotts Point Way to Riverside Park trail Enjoy an easy walk or bike ride along the river on the Scott Point to Riverside Park trail, Ash Island, as it takes you past excellent spots for fishing and birdwatching.
All-ages adventure
The action all starts at Riverside Park. Here, you'll find a picnic area and paths leading off around Ash Island. They're all flat and wide, so perfect for getting kids on their bikes for some fresh air. Take a walk through the wetlands and identify different species of birds. Head to the deepwater jetty and do some fishing. There's quite the underwater bounty around here and, whether your spot is the jetty or the river foreshores, you can haul in flathead, whiting, tailor and bream.
- Rainforest walk to Riverside Park Rainforest walk to Riverside Park, near Newcastle, is suitable for walking or cycling and crosses Ash Island, ending by the river where you can fish and birdwatch.
- Riverside Park The family-friendly Riverside Park, near Newcastle, is the perfect base for cycling, walking, fishing and birdwatching on Ash Island.
- Scotts Point Way to Riverside Park trail Enjoy an easy walk or bike ride along the river on the Scott Point to Riverside Park trail, Ash Island, as it takes you past excellent spots for fishing and birdwatching.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
-
Grey-headed flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)
The grey-headed flying fox is Australia's largest native bat, with a wingspan up to 1m. This threatened species travels up and down south-eastern Australia and plays a vital role in pollinating plants and spreading seeds in our native forests.
Plants
-
Grey mangrove (Avicennia marina)
Grey mangrove is the most common and widespread mangrove found within intertidal zones across Australia, and throughout the world. Growing to a height of 3-10m, they thrive best in estuaries with a mix of fresh and salt water. They excrete excess salt through their long thick leaves, and absorb oxygen through their aerial root system.
Education resources (1)
School excursions (2)
- Aboriginal culture, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Geography
- The Earth's environment, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Geography
What we're doing
Hunter Wetlands National Park has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. Visit the OEH website for detailed park and fire management documents.