Walking tracks
Riverside Park to radar buildings
This walk has a magnificent vista of the north arm of the Hunter River, from the Riverside Park picnic area. Walk through the Kooragang City Farm precinct, and see the Miham's farm ruins, one of the last historical remnants of bygone days on Ash Island. Explore the buildings of the WWII Radar Station when you reach the end of the walk.
Directions: Parking is available at Riverside Park (or you can walk there from Scotts Point). Follow the trail from the park past Milhams Farmhouse and through Kooragang city Farm. The WWII Radar Station is off Milham Road.
Contact:
Newcastle, Phone: 02 4946 4100
The Welcome Walk
Meander through the mangroves, learning about their importance as a fish nursery habitat. If you wish to continue along the Cobbans Track you can see saltmarsh growing where tidal flushing is less frequent. Saltmarsh is classed as an Endangered Ecologocial Community and is important for fish and crab production and shorebird habitat..
Directions: The boardwalk begins at the Visitor Information Shelter near the park entry. Park your car in the nearby carpark and follow the boardwalk off Schoolhouse Road.
Plant communities: saltwater wetlands
Contact:
Newcastle, Phone: 02 4946 4100
Scotts Point Way to Riverside Park trail
Take a step back in history as well as a walk through nature. At the beginning of the Scotts Point to Riverside Park trail, you’ll find a visitor information shelter that shows some reproductions of 1860s botanical drawings by the Scott sisters, the daughters of one of the island’s first European settlers.
The trail follows the north arm of the Hunter River. It’s an easy walk or you can jump on a bike. There are two rest spots with picnic tables – one at Scotts Point and the other at your final destination, Riverside Park.
Once you’re there, you might want to get out your fishing line. There’s a jetty here – the only deepwater one between Newcastle and Raymond Terrace – that’s popular for recreational fishing.
If you’re an early riser, dawn around here is spectacular. The water is so still, it’s like a mirror, and the birds are actively fishing and foraging on the river foreshore.
Directions: Park at the gate at the end of Scotts Point Road. Instead of heading straight ahead to Scotts Point, follow the Rainforest Walk to the east near the gate. The track will take you to the historic silos. Join on to Milham Road (watch for cars and bicycles) and walk to Riverside Park via Kooragang City Farm.
Rainforest walk to Riverside Park
Variety is the spice of this excellent walk from the western side of Ash Island, through its interior, finishing at the picnic area by the river. Stroll through wetlands and rainforest before arriving on the edges of Kooragang City Farm. Here, you’ll see vegetable and bush food gardens, egrets and ibis feeding in the fields and historic silos that are part of the island’s farming past. You’ll also pass the ruins of Milham’s Farmhouse, established here in the 1860s.
You’ll soon arrive at Riverside Park, where you can go fishing off the jetty, look out over the mangroves and relax at the picnic area. The birdlife around the river is worth observing through a set of binoculars. Sea eagles soar overhead, pelicans float past, and cormorants can be seen hanging out their wings to dry.
Scotts Pt to Riverside Park
Learn about the Scotts sisters' flora and fauna illustrations dating back to the 1860s. Their stunning botanical drawings provide a historical perspective of Ash Island's vegetation before farming practices commenced. Follow the track to the point from the gate at the end of Scotts Point Road (you can park here). Continue along the north arm of the river and explore the beautiful foreshore area which is ideal for picnics and fishing. Riverside Park features the only fishing jetty with deepwater access between Newcastle and Raymond Terrace. This jetty is a recreational fishing hotspot and provides disabled access.
Directions: Park at the end of Scotts Point Road near the locked gate. Follow the unsealed track to the point. Continue along the foreshore of the north arm of the river. At Riverside Park you'll find a jetty. Return via the same track.
Contact:
Newcastle, Phone: 02 4946 4100
