Hunter Wetlands National Park is located a short drive from Newcastle, NSW, AU. The park is a great place to wander through the mangroves, fish, cycle or birdwatch. There are a number of short out and back walks that can be combined into a longer hike.
Hunter Wetlands National Park at a glance
Distance: From 2kms return
Duration: From 20 minutes – 2 hours
Track: Mostly sealed level walkways. Some tracks are unsealed
Grade: Easy
Start: Via Ash Island Bridge, Hexham
Finish: Via Ash Island Bridge, Hexham
Nearby trails: Blackbutt Reserve, Glenrock, Anzac Walk
Bookings/Permits: Not required
Other information: Toilet and picnic facilities available. Free parking – but limited spots available.
The Welcome Walk
The Welcome Walk is a short 1 kilometre (one way) walk that takes your through estuaries of the Hunter River. Fantastic walk for families with young children.
Time: 20 – 40 minutes
Distance: 2 kms return
Grade: Easy
Rainforest walk to Riverside Park
A really lovely walk (also suitable for cycling). Pass by the ruins Milhams Farmhouse, originally built in the 1860s and WWII bunkers. Check out the Hunter River and the Riverside Park – the perfect place for a picnic.
Time: 1 – 2 hours
Distance: 2kms one-way
Grade: Easy
Looking for a longer hike?
If you are looking for a longer hike, combine the Welcome Walk with the Rainforest Walk to Riverside Park and create a loop around part of the National Park. This walk is about 7kms in length and passes through rainforest, farming land that is being generated into natural landscape, the old school house and the Hunter River Estuary.
Time: 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 hours
Distance: 7kms round trip
Grade: Easy
Getting There
The best way to gain access to Hunter Wetlands National Park is via Ash Island Bridge at Hexham. From here you can access most walks / hikes and the Riverside Picnic Area. More information on Hunter Wetlands National Park is available from the National Parks website.
You might be interested in:
Bulahdelah Mountain (Mount Alum) walking and hiking trails
Alum Mountain, Mount Alum or Bulahdelah Mountain (depending on which map you happen to be looking at!) is around 1 1/4hrs from Newcastle and located on the Mid-North Coast of
Bathers Way Coastal Walk
If you are visiting Newcastle and looking for a walk, check out the Bathers Way Coastal walk. The walk is stunning, stretching from Nobbys Beach to Merewether Beach, hugging the
Sandbar Beach walking and hiking trail
To be fair, Sandbar Beach Walking Trail isn’t really a gazetted walk (if there is such a thing?). But it is such a lovely walk, and well worth it if
Booti Hill and Wallis Lake walking and hiking trail
We spent many weekends and summer holidays exploring ‘The Lakes’ when I was in primary school. But it has only been in the last few months that we have found
Yeularbah walking and hiking trail
Yeularbah Walking Trail is one of the more popular trails in the Newcastle/Lake Macquarie region. Part of Glenrock State Conservation Area, the trail winds it’s way through rainforest, past two
Heaton Lookout walking and hiking trail
Located 35 minutes from Newcastle, NSW, AU, Heaton lookout via Heaton Road is a moderate out and back walk in Watagans National Park. The the first section of the walk