Forestway Circuit Walk
Awabakal & Worimi Country

1 h to 2 h

2.7 km
circuit

↑ 84 m
↓ -84 m

Moderate track
This is a good walk, a highlight being the delightful Lily Pond picnic area, with its lush vegetation and attractive flowers. This walk travels through eucalyptus forest as well as one section of road walking through a quiet suburban street. The side trip to Richley Park is worthwhile to access the extra facilities there. A recommended walk that doesn't attract the crowds. Let us begin by acknowledging the Awabakal & Worimi people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Mahognay picnic area locked gate in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Toliets at Mahognay picnic area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Trail near Mahognay picnic area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Picnic table at Mahognay Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Trail near Mahognay Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Forested trail near Mahognay Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Lily Pond Picnic Area in the middle of Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Lily Pond Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Seating bench at Lily Pond Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Bench with Lily Pond beyond at Lily Pond Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Sign at Lily Pond Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Seating bench beside Lily Pond in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Barbecue and picnic table at Lily Pond Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Nymphaea flower on Lily Pond at Lily Pond Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Lush leaves and flowers of the Nymphaea Lily at Lily Pond Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Picnic table at Lily Pond Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Forested trail with Lily Pond Picnic Area in the distance in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Forested trail near Lily Pond Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Trail through forest in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Forested trail near Lily Pond Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Dry creek bed with bridge in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Rocky dry creek bed with bridge in Lily Pond Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Trail near houses in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Trail with house visible in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Green metal posted near Bower Bird Creek in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Trail intersection near Bower Bird Creek in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Locked gate at the end of Ridgeway Road in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
The end of Ridgeway Road and a locked gate near Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Ridgeway Road in New Lambton Heights near Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Road in New Lambton Heights near Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Ridgeway Road in New Lambton Heights which is close to Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Road intersection on Ridgeway Road in New Lambton Heights. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Ridgeway Road in New Lambton Heights. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Top of Ridgeway Road in New Lambton Heights. | Photo by admin, 2011.
The top of Ridgeway Road in New Lambton Heights. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Sign post for Ridgeway Road in New Lambton Heights. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Water tank and picnic area on Ridgeway Road in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Lookout Road and footpath near Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Locked gate and Blackbutt Reserve sign near Lookout Road. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Trail into Blackbutt Reserve and near Lookout Road. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Trail in Blackbutt Reserve near Lookout Road. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Trail through forest in Blackbutt Reserve near Lookout Road. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Trail intersection and sign in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Wide trail through forest in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Trail and sign in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Flower in forest in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Forested trail near Lookout Road in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Sealed trail in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Trail through fores in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Richley Reserve pond with ducks in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Wide forested trail in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Wide trails near Mahognay Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Trail near Mahognay Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
Mahognay Picnic Area in Blackbutt Reserve. | Photo by admin, 2011.
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-32.9303982,151.7036808)
Mode Bus Car (There is free parking available.)
DirectionsFrom City Road, A43
  • Turn on to Northcott Drive, B63 then drive for 2 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Carnley Avenue and drive for another 220 m
  • Turn right onto Birdwood Street and drive for another 105 m
  • Turn left onto Freyberg Street and drive for another 560 m
  • Keep right onto Mahogany Drive and drive for another 280 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the Mahogany Picnic Area (on Queens Rd, New Lambton), this walk passes around the locked gate and follows the gently uphill trail for about 70m (with picnic tables on the right), until coming to toilets (on the left) and a three-way intersection, with two 'Forest Way Walk' signs directly ahead.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Mahognay Picnic Area (Queens St) (about 25 m back from the start).
Mahognay Picnic Area (Queens St)
Mahognay Picnic Area (Queens St)

The Mahogany Drive picnic area in Blackbutt Reserve has toilets, picnic tables, a water tap, an elevated timber barbecue and car parking. The car park is open from 7am to 5pm or 7am to 7pm during daylight savings. For further information phone: 02 4904 3344.
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The Mahogany Drive picnic area in Blackbutt Reserve has toilets, picnic tables, a water tap, an elevated timber barbecue and car parking. The car park is open from 7am to 5pm or 7am to 7pm during daylight savings. For further information phone: 02 4904 3344.

Find the car park at the start.
After another 20 m turn left.
After another 210 m continue straight.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Richley Reserve (Four Way Intersection). To start this optional side trip turn sharp left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 185 m continue straight.
After another 210 m continue straight.
After another 160 m turn right.
After another 220 m continue straight.
After another 140 m turn right, to head along Ridgeway Road.
After another 420 m (at the intersection of Croudace Street & Ridgeway Road) continue straight, to head along Ridgeway Road.
After another 295 m turn right.
After another 325 m veer left.
After another 200 m find the "Lily Pond Picnic Area" (on your left).
Lily Pond Picnic Area
Lily Pond Picnic Area

The Lily Pond picnic area in Blackbutt Reserve feels like a small, watery oasis surrounded by eucalyptus forest. There is an attractive tropical water lily pond with a healthy cover of Nymphaea, which is particularly beautiful when flowering. Also at this picnic area are bench seats, picnic tables, small grassed areas and an elevated timber barbecue.
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The Lily Pond picnic area in Blackbutt Reserve feels like a small, watery oasis surrounded by eucalyptus forest. There is an attractive tropical water lily pond with a healthy cover of Nymphaea, which is particularly beautiful when flowering. Also at this picnic area are bench seats, picnic tables, small grassed areas and an elevated timber barbecue.

After another 120 m veer right.
After another 90 m continue straight.
After another 75 m continue straight.
After another 35 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Richley Reserve (Four Way Intersection).
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 40 m turn right.
After another 120 m veer right.
After another 125 m come to the end.
About 25 m past the end is a playground .
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 285 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Forestway Circuit Walk


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 2.7 km
Time 1 h to 2 h
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
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Articles
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