Blackbutt Nature Reserve
Blackbutt Reserve is a peaceful natural area with a diverse range of habitats and ecosystems, open spaces, nature trails, and electric and wood fire barbecues. Its wildlife exhibits a modern and spacious domain and allows close viewing of various animals, including kangaroos, koalas, native birds, wombats, and emus.
Aside from the said animals, wander around the boardwalk to see different birds like kingfishers and black cockatoos, reptiles such as diamond pythons, eastern blue-tongued lizards, and eastern long-necked turtle, among others.
If it’s your lucky day, you’ll be in for a treat. Be in awe of the barking owls, the Giggle and Hoot that sound like a barking dog, frogs, echidnas, and tawny frog mouths, including Oscar, the Grouch, and the ever-shy sugar gliders in the nocturnal house.
Stroll around the bush, listen to a cacophony of bird calls and be dwarfed by soaring gums. It might be your best shot at meeting native wildlife ever! Up next is McDonald Jones Stadium.
Of course, be captivated by its beautiful flora and fauna, so expect a plethora of different insects along the way. Get those insect repellent ready before you head over to the site.
Blackbutt Nature Reserve is settled on an estimated 182 hectares of land, six kilometres away from Newcastle city centre. It offers many opportunities for people to participate in recreation and environmental activities and learn about conservation and research programs. Browse around this site.
The area of Blackbutt Reserve was originally a coal mine owned by the Scottish-Australian Mining Company, which started off mining in the area around 1863. Now it’s Newcastle’s beating green heart – only ten minutes away from the city centre.
Kids will definitely love wildlife feeding activities for selected animals such as wombats and Rainbow lorikeets. Peacocks freely roam around the area, while some protected wildlife such as emus and kangaroos are in a separate enclosure. The good thing with caged animals is that you can freely feed them at any time during the tour.
It also features some reptile shows. Get to know some of these fascinating creatures that are featured every weekend at 11 AM for regular seasons and during school holidays.
Don’t worry about getting lost in the reserve, as there are seven signposted walking trails as your guide through the 10km of boardwalks through varying bushland and bubbling creeks. Other amenities around the reserve include a carparks, kiosks, a picnic area, coach parking, parents’ room, and of course, public toilets.
Its funny name came from the Eucalyptus pilularis, or better known as blackbutt, which is one of Australia’s most sought-after hardwoods. In fact, it is very popular that many Australian homes feature pretty blackbutt wooden floors.
Many of the blackbutt trees in the forest have been cut down to build a mine. However, the trees that were left were used as nests for the vulnerable but powerful owl, while the remaining tiny part of the reserve’s rainforest survived as the home to the grey-headed flying fox.
When this project started, there were plans to build 500 homes in Blackbutt. A plan was made to build a motorway that would cut through the middle of the park.
Embedded Driving Directions from Blackbutt Nature Reserve to McDonald Jones Stadium
Written Driving Directions from Blackbutt Nature Reserve to McDonald Jones Stadium
Start: Blackbutt Nature Reserve
Restricted-usage road
Partial restricted-usage road
Continue to follow B63
End: McDonald Jones Stadium
Embedded Driving Directions from WASP Industries to Blackbutt Nature Reserve
Written Driving Directions from WASP Industries to Blackbutt Nature Reserve
Start: WASP Industries
Follow Weakleys Dr to M1
Go through 1 roundabout
Follow M1 and Newcastle Link Rd to Lake Rd/B53 in Wallsend
Take Croudace Rd and McCaffrey Dr to Lookout Rd/Newcastle Inner City Bypass/A37 in New Lambton Heights
Go through 1 roundabout
Continue to follow Newcastle Inner City Bypass/A37
