On this walk you follow a trail nestled between the Hunter River and the glistening wetlands. You will enjoy an abundance of water birds, water views and plenty of places to sit to take it all in. The walk starts with an optional side trip along a boardwalk before following the old road (now closed to traffic) along side the Green and Golden Bell Frog habitat to the delightful picnic area at Scotts Point. Then the trail leads you along the northern arm of the Hunter River to the car park at Riverside Park. Maybe pack a fishing rod, camera, binoculars or a picnic lunch taking the extra time to enjoy this unique historical and environmentally sensitive area.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Scots Point Way to Riverside Park Trail bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Scots Point Way to Riverside Park Trail 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.
Length
1.9km
Time
45 mins
.
Grade 2/6
Walk: Easy
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Signs
Clearly signposted (1/6)
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 1.3km of this walk is flat with no steps, whilst the remaining 550m has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 1.9km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
This whole walk, 1.9km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 1.9km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 1.9km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 1.9km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
(0 km)
End of Scotts Point Way
to
Int of Scotts Point and Rainforest tracks Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 25 m
Time =
Climb = 0 m
Descent = 0 m
From the car park[1] at the end of Scotts Point Way Kooragang, this walk heads towards then around the metal gate[2] between the timber bollard[fac=8296] to walk for 15m to the 3-way intersection, marked by a large 'Welcome to Ash Island' sign [3].
(0.03 km)
Int of Scotts Point and Rainforest tracks
to
East end of Rainforest boardwalk Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 234 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads directly away from the river, following 'The Silos' arrow[4] down across the dip[fac=8297] and along the dirt track passing 3 seats[fac=8295] to find the fibreglass boardwalk[5]. This walk follows the boardwalk for 200m as it winds through the wetlands giving great views and bird watching opportunities to then come to the end of the raised boardwalk and start of a dirt track. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
Rainforest boardwalk
Alt = 2 m
The boardwalk leads through the beautiful Kooragang Wetlands[6] giving great views of the water plants and birds. Specifically, this walk leads over the Water Ribbon Swale, an abandoned channel of the Hunter River. You might be lucky enough to see
Chestnut Teal[7], Great Egret[8], Cattle Egret[9], Glossy Ibis[10], Australian White Ibis[11], Straw-necked Ibis[12], Common Greenshank[13], Sharp-tailed Sandpiper[14], Curlew Sandpiper[15], or if very lucky a Painted Snipe[16].
(0.03 km)
Int of Scotts Point and Rainforest tracks
to
Scotts Point Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 602 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the old road directly away from the car park, keeping the sheltered sign[17] and river to the left. After 150m this walk leads past a seat[fac=8294] then after another 180m it leads past another small timber seat[18][fac=8293]. Just 100m past this seat the walk comes to a 'Green and Golden Bell Frog' information sign[19] where the walk continues to gently meander along the edge of the wetlands for 170m to come to the Scotts Point picnic area with a sheltered sitting area[fac=8291] (on the right). There are beautiful views of the confluence of two creeks with a view across a shipping area and a bridge and distant views of the mountains.
Scotts Point
Alt = 2 m
Scotts Point is home to a water tank[fac=8292], picnic table[fac=8290] and seating shelter[fac=8291] beside an open grassy area at the confluence of the north and south arms of the Hunter River[20]. There are views down the river to Hexham bridge and past some shipping areas[21]. There are a series of signs [22][23][24] to explain more about the local area. This is a lovely spot to rest and enjoy the river and the wetlands.
(0.63 km)
Scotts Point
to
Mid way pincic area Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 701 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From Scotts Point sheltered sitting area[fac=8291], this walk follows the old road, keeping the river to the left. After about 20m this walk leads past a picnic table[fac=8290] then continues along the trail for 220m to pass a 'Scotts Point Way' sign[25] where there are more views of the wetlands[26] (to the right). The walk continues along the old road for another 250m to head past a series of large orange triangle boat navigation markers[27] with lovely views over the river[28] then the trail leads back into the she oak forest for about 200m to then cross over a 2.7m wide timber bridge[29] and come to a picnic area with two picnic tables[fac=8289] (on the right).
Mid way pincic area
Alt = 2 m
This relaxed picnic area is found on the banks of the north arm of the Hunter River nestled among She Oaks[30] and the wetlands. There are two picnic tables[31][32][fac=8289] on concrete slabs beside the trail. The grassy area around the tables can become boggy[33] after rain or very high tides. A pleasant naturally shaded area with some protection from light winds.
(1.33 km)
Mid way pincic area
to
Riverside Park car park int Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 529 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the picnic area[fac=8289], this walk follows the old asphalt road, directly away from the timber bridge, keeping the river to the left[34]. This walk continues along the trail for 180m to pass a single picnic table[fac=8288] then another 90m to pass a timber seat[fac=8287] (on the right). Continuing along the trail for another 210m this walk leads under the power lines, veers left at the intersection to head past the stone seats[fac=8286] then over the grassy section[35] between the car park and river, to the intersection at the other end of the car park marked by a Riverside Park sign[36].
(1.86 km)
Riverside Park car park int
to
City Farm jetty Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 102 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -1 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the gravel track to cross the short fibreglass bridge, keeping the river to the left. After about 10m this walk comes to a 3-way intersection with a gravel footpath, marked by an arrow post sign[37]. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Jetty' arrow[38] along the gravel path[39] keeping the river to the left. After about 40m the path leads past a sheltered picnic area[fac=8306] and water tap[fac=8309] (on the right) then continues for about 30m to come to a 'Hunter Wetlands National Park' information sign[40] (on the right). Here the walk leads onto the floating jetty ramp[41] with 1m metal fence that leads to the City Farm jetty[42] (there is an 8cm step[43] to access the actual jetty platform[44]. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)
Riverside Park
Alt = 2 m
Riverside Park is found near the end of 'The Lane', Kooragang within Hunter Wetlands National Park. There is the City Farm jetty[45] on the banks of the north arm of the Hunter River[46]. You will also find two picnic shelters[47][fac=8306][fac=8307], each with a water tank[fac=8309][fac=8308]. There is also an accessible toilet[48][fac=8311] at the back of the grassy area. There are a few walks that leave from the area and it is also a popular fishing and bird watching area.
(1.86 km)
Riverside Park car park int
to
Riverside Park car park Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 16 m
Time =
Climb = 0 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads over the grass and gravel area[49] to the car park leading between the timber bollards[fac=8285][50] to the Riverside Park car park[51] at the end of The Lane, Kooragang.
Fire Danger This 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.
Hunter Wetlands National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page Hunter Wetlands National Park is in Kooragang north of Newcastle. The island national park is based around a the Kooragang Wetlands is home to interesting historic and natural features. Enjoy boardwalks, river views, bike riding and picnicking. Region: Hunter & Mid North Coast Park feesCampingFacilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Hiking near Sydney 
Walk: Easy
1 km
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)