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Wildlife Exhibit boardwalk entrance at Carnley Ave Reserve in Blackbutt Reserve +
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Timber boardwalk into Wildlife Exhibit at Blackbutt Reserve +
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Intersection near the entrance to the Wildlife Exhibits at Blackbutt Reserve +
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Sealed trail towards the rainforest in Blackbutt Reserve +
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Trail in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Intersection and sign in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Sealed trail in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Intersection and sign in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Closed toilet block in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Small picnic area in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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A small picnic area at the Blackbutt Reserve +
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A small pond and picnic area at the Blackbutt Reserve +
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A minor intersection in Blackbutt Reserve +
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Dense forest close to the Rain Forest Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve +
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Tall Rain Forest in Blackbutt Reserve +
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Forest trail in Blackbutt Reserve +
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Views of the sky through trees in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Rain Forest sign in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Flying Foxes nesting in trees at the Rain Forest Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve +
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The Rain Forest Picnic Area at Blackbutt Reserve +
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Trail at Blackbutt Reserve +
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Sign and trail at the Rain Forest Picnic Area in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Leafy trail close to the Rain Forest Picnic Area in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Timber fence by bridge over Rain Forest Creek in Blackbutt Reserve +
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Timber fencing over Rain Forest Creek in Blackbutt Reserve +
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Timber sign in Blackbutt Reserve +
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Uphill track in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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A clearing under a large tree near Lookout Rd in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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The end of Lookout Road in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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An intersection at the end of Lookout Rd in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Beautiful large tree at the end of Lookout Rd in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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The end of Lookout Rd in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Old brick building in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Intersection and trails in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Old picnic area in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Intersection and sign in the Blackbutt Reserve +
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Cross sectional view of the Rod Earp Rainforest Circuit (from Carnley Ave) bushwalking track  Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Rod Earp Rainforest Circuit (from Carnley Ave) bushwalking track  Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
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Length |
2km |
| Time |
1 Hr |
| . |
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Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate |
AS 2156.1 |
Gradient |
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6) |
| Quality of track |
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6) |
| Signs |
Directional signs along the way (3/6) |
| Experience Required |
No experience required (1/6) |
| Weather |
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) |
| Infrastructure |
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6) |
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
Around 1.5km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 530m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
Around 1.1km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 960m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 1.5km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 530m has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 2km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 2km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Blackbutt Reserve
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Alt = 73 m |
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Blackbutt Reserve, near Newcastle, occupies over 182 hectares of land and provides visitors with the chance to enjoy nature trails[1], wildlife exhibits[2][3], children's playgrounds[4] and recreational facilities. The reserve is the perfect place for a relaxing family picnic or to explore on a bushwalk. Native wildlife, such as the Powerful Owl and the Grey-headed flying fox[5] can be seen within the park. There is an information cottage[6] at Carnley Avenue, which is open 7am to 5pm, or 7am to 7pm during daylight savings. The reserve has car parking at Carnley Avenue, Richley Reserve, Lookout Road and Mahonoy Drive. For more information, phone 02 4904 3344.
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Carnley Ave Reserve
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Alt = 39 m |
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The Carnley Avenue Reserve, within Blackbutt Reserve, is wheelchair accessible and has toilets[7], drinking fountains[8], gas/electric barbeques[9], sheltered picnic tables[10], a children's playground[11], fenced displays of kangaroos and emu[12], a large black duck pond[13] and an information centre[14] that is housed within a replica pioneering cottage. The information cottage has a range of souvenirs, focusing on quality and affordable products. A fee of $4 per vehicle can be paid from the automatic machines[15] in the car park. The information centre is open 7am to 5pm, or 7am to 7pm during daylight savings. For further information phone: 02 4904 3344.
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Blackbutt Wildlife Exhibits
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Alt = 47 m |
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This boardwalk in the Blackbutt Reserve offers wildlife exhibits[16] on an elevated timber boardwalk which is wheelchair accessible. Some of the wildlife that you are likely to encounter are kangaroos, koalas[17], wombats[18], Lace monitors[19], Wonga Pigeons, Red-winged Parrots, Black-winged Stilt[20], Buff-banded Rail, Herons[21], Eastern long-necked Turtle, Kingfishers[22], Turquoise Parrot, Banded Plover, Peaceful Dove[23], Cockatoos, Lorikeets, True Parrots, Major Mitchell Cockatoo, Bush Stone Curlew, Long-tailed Finch and Barking Owls[24]. Entry is free and the exhibit is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm every day (closed Christmas Day, Good Friday and until 1pm ANZAC Day). Personal koala encounters[25] are available at 2pm daily and cost $3.50/person. For further information, phone: 02 4904 3344. More info
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(0 km)
Int of Boardwalk & Main Ridge Trail
to
Main Ridge & Rain Forest Walks
Track: Moderate - road |
Length = 383 m |
Time = 8 mins |
| Climb = 24 m |
Descent = -6 m |
From the intersection[26], this walk follows the sealed road[27] gently uphill, while initially keeping the timber fenced boardwalk[28] to the Wildlife Exhibits on your right. This walk continues through forest[29] for about 140m until coming to a three-way intersection[30], with a 'Lookout Road Carpark 400m' sign[31] (on the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection[32], this walk follows the 'Rainforest Walk' sign[33] and sealed road gently downhill. This walk continues undulating for about 260m until coming to a three-way intersection[34], with a sealed road (on the right) and a 'Rainforest Walk to Lookout Rd Carpark' sign[35] (on the left).
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(0.38 km)
Main Ridge & Rain Forest Walks
to
Int of Rain Forest Walk & Link Track
Walk: Easy - bushtrack |
Length = 530 m |
Time = 13 mins |
| Climb = 44 m |
Descent = -14 m |
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Turn left: From the intersection[36], this walk follows the 'Rainforest Walk to Lookout Rd Carpark' sign[37] and sealed road gently downhill, while keeping the valley on the left. This walk continues for about 110m, passing a closed toilet block[38] (on the left), until crossing over a bridge at the Rainforest picnic area[39]. Then this walk continues gently uphill for about 30m, until coming to a three-way intersection[40][41] with a gravel trail[42] (on the right). This walk then turns right, following the 'Rainforest Walk' sign[43][44] on the gravel trail for about 400m through dense rainforest[45] (passing a 'Rainforest Picnic Area' sign[46] on the left), until coming to a three-way intersection[47] with a gently downhill trail (on the right) and a gently uphill trail[48] (on the left).
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Rod Earp Rainforest Picnic Area
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Alt = 99 m |
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This secluded, dense rainforest within Blackbutt Reserve has bench seats[49] and a picnic table[50]. The forest in this area hosts a large population of grey-headed flying foxes[51]. These large bats[52] migrate for food and then return to roost during the day. Watch out for the bat guano the ground. This picnic area feels a world away from downtown Newcastle.
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(0.91 km)
Int of Rain Forest Walk & Lookout Trail
to
Int of Lookout Trail & Rain Forest Walk
Track: Moderate - bushtrack |
Length = 120 m |
Time = 3 mins |
| Climb = 8 m |
Descent = -5 m |
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Continue straight: From the intersection[53][54], this walk follows the trail gently downhill, while keeping the gently uphill trail[55] on your left and the valley on your right. This walk continues through rainforest for about 130m, passing a 'Rainforest Restoration Project' sign[56] (on the left), until coming to a three-way intersection[57], with a trail and bridge[58] on the right, and a 'Lookout Rd 420m' sign[59] on the left.
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(1.03 km)
Int of Lookout Trail AND Rain Forest Walk
to
Int of Rain Forest Walk AND Lookout Road
Walk: Easy - bushtrack |
Length = 305 m |
Time = 7 mins |
| Climb = 17 m |
Descent = -12 m |
|
Turn right: From the intersection[60][61], this walk crosses the bridge and follows the trail moderately steeply uphill[62], while leaving the face of the 'Lookout Rd 420m' sign directly behind. This walk continues, passing the 'Senses Track 150m' sign[63] (on the right) and becoming gently uphill through forest for about 170m to pass a 'Rain Forest Area/Picnic Park' sign[64] (on the left). Then this walk continues for about 140m, until coming to a car park[65][66] and sealed road, with a 'Sensory Trail (return)' sign[67] on the left.
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(1.34 km)
Int of Rain Forest Walk & Lookout Road
to
Int of Lookout Road & Main Ridge Trail
Walk: Easy - road |
Length = 21 m |
Time = |
| Climb = 0 m |
Descent = -1 m |
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Turn right: From the intersection[68][69], this walk follows the road gently downhill and across the car park, while initially leaving the 'Sensory Trail (return)' sign[70] on your right. This walk continues for about 25m, until passing through yellow metal posts[71] and coming to a three-way intersection, with a 'Main Ridge Walk (loop)' sign[72][73] and trail[74] (on the left) and square brick buildings[75] (on the right).
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(1.36 km)
Rain Forest Walk & Main Ridge Walk
to
Int of Lookout Road & Main Ridge Trail
Track: Moderate - road |
Length = 148 m |
Time = 3 mins |
| Climb = 0 m |
Descent = -9 m |
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Continue straight: From the intersection[76], this walk follows the sealed road[77], while passing the two square brick buildings[78][79] (on your right) and leaving the yellow metal posts[80] (directly behind). This walk continues through a picnic area for about 160m until coming to a three-way intersection[81] with a sealed road and 'Rainforest Walk' sign[82] (on the right).
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(1.51 km)
Int of Lookout Road & Main Ridge Trail
to
Int of Main Ridge Trail & Lookout Road
Walk: Easy - road |
Length = 406 m |
Time = 9 mins |
| Climb = 4 m |
Descent = -42 m |
Turn right: From the intersection[83][84], this walk follows the 'Rainforest Walk' sign[85] gently downhill, while keeping the valley on your right. This walk continues through dense forest[86] for about 170m until coming to a T-intersection[87], with a 'Rainforest Walk to Lookout Rd Carpark' sign[88] indicating a right turn.
Continue straight: From the intersection[89], this walk follows the 'Wildlife Exhibit' sign[90] and sealed road gently downhill, while keeping the valley on the right. This walk continues, undulating for about 260m until coming to a three-way intersection[91], with a 'Lookout Road Carpark' sign[92] and gently uphill sealed road on the left.
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(1.91 km)
Int of Main Ridge Trail & Lookout Road
to
Int of Boardwalk & Main Ridge Trail
Track: Moderate - road |
Length = 132 m |
Time = 3 mins |
| Climb = 2 m |
Descent = -9 m |
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Continue straight: From the intersection[93], this walk follows the 'Wildlife Exhibitions 120m' sign[94] and sealed road[95] gently downhill, while keeping the 'Lookout Road Carpark' sign[96] directly behind you. This walk continues through forest[97] for about 140m, until coming to a four-way intersection[98] with the Wildlife Exhibits boardwalk[99] (on the left), a car park[100] ahead and a disabled car park (on the right).
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Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk
Public Transport links currently not working, sorry
Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
| Store |
Address |
Phone |
Distance (straight line) |
| Aussie Disposal Newcastle | 4/ 14 Northcott Drv, Kotara | (02) 4965 5500 | 1.3 km | Kathmandu | 6 Northcott Drv, Kotara | (02) 4952 1233 | 1.2 km | Boots Great Outdoors | 27 Lambton Rd , Broadmeadow | (02) 4969 4655 | 3.7 km | Camping World | 3/ 276 Macquarie Rd , Warners Bay | (02) 4956 6183 | 4.6 km | Wallsend Army Disposal Store | Cnr Tyrrell & Council Sts, Wallsend | (02) 4951 5725 | 4.9 km |
A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Rod Earp Rainforest Circuit (from Carnley Ave).
Fire DangerThis walk passes Greater Hunter fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information. Weather and ClimateWeather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here | | °C (feels like °) | | km/h from the | | % humidity (as at ) |
| Wed | 27° | Showers. Likely storm developing. | | | Thu | 21°|25° | Possible shower. | | | Fri | 20°|30° | Becoming windy. Partly cloudy. | | | Sat | 19°|24° | Possible late shower. | |
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Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)