Riverside Park
Hunter Wetlands National Park
Overview
The family-friendly Riverside Park, near Newcastle, is the perfect base for cycling, walking, fishing and birdwatching on Ash Island.
- Type
- Picnic areas
- Where
- Hunter Wetlands National Park in North Coast
- Accessibility
- Medium
- What to
bring - Drinking water, insect repellent, hat, sunscreen, binoculars
What better place to set up for a day of exploring than Riverside Park? Located at the northern end of Ash Island, near Newcastle, it’s a blissfully peaceful spot with sheltered picnic tables and a large deepwater jetty. What to bring with you? The kids, their bikes, a good pair of walking shoes, a fishing line, and your binoculars.
With its relaxing outlook over the Hunter River, you could easily open the Sunday papers and take it easy while the young at heart frolic on the large expanses of grass. But go for a walk and explore some of the other nearby landscapes – there are wetlands nearby, as well as remnants of coastal rainforest. The roads here are especially suitable for cyclists of all levels and take you all over the island, including to the old World War II radar station. Take some time when you pedal past the river foreshore to stop and birdwatch, as this is a popular spot for pelicans and white-faced herons.
Take a virtual tour of Riverside Park captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Subscribe to Naturescapes
Subscribe to our Naturescapes e-newsletter which is packed with the latest information, experiences and events in NSW national parks. Your next park adventure starts here.
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
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.
What's nearby:
Things to do (44)
- 4WD touring (1)
- Aboriginal culture (3)
- Adventure sports (5)
- Beach (3)
- Birdwatching and wildlife encounters (11)
- Canoeing/paddling (2)
- Cultural heritage (1)
- Cycling (5)
- Environmental appreciation/study (3)
- Fishing (6)
- Historic heritage (4)
- Other experiences (2)
- Picnics and barbecues (7)
- Sightseeing (9)
- Surfing (1)
- Walking (16)
- Waterfalls (1)