Blackbutt Reserve
Blackbutt Reserve, near Newcastle, occupies over 182 hectares of land and provides visitors with the chance to enjoy nature trails, wildlife exhibits, children's playgrounds 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 can be seen within the park. There is an information cottage 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.

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.

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.

Richley Reserve
The Richley Reserve, within Blackbutt Reserve, has a park office, large pond areas with swans (beware the swans as they defend their territory), sheltered picnic tables, water taps, toilets, open grassed areas, a children's playground, electric barbecues and a car park. The Richley Reserve car park has disability friendly parking and is open from 7am to 5pm or 7am to 7pm during daylight savings. For further information phone 02 4904 3344.