Blackbutt Circuit Walk
Blackbutt Reserve
Richley Reserve
(0km) Richley Reserve (Car Park) → Richley Reserve (Ponds end)
(0km) Richley Reserve (Ponds end) → Int of Forest Way AND Tall Trees Walks
(0km) Int of Forest Way & Tall Trees Walks → Lily Pond Picnic Area
Turn left: From the intersection[38][39], this walk follows the 'Forest Way Walk' sign[40] and trail gently downhill, while initially keeping the toilets[41] on your right and the sign on your left. This walk continues for about 45m to find a picnic table[42] (on the right). Then this walk continues through forest[43][44] for about 260m, until coming to Lily Pond Picnic Area[45][46][47][48].
Lily Pond Picnic Area
(1km) Lily Pond Picnic Area → End of Ridgeway Road (New Hampton Heights)
Turn sharp left: From the intersection[67], this walk follows the trail gently uphill, while initially keeping the two green metal posts[68] on your right. This walk continues through forest for about 60m, until passing around a locked metal gate[69] and coming to the end of Ridgeway Road[70][71] (amongst houses).
(2km) End of Ridgeway Road → Int of Lookout Road & Forest Way
(2km) Int of Lookout Road AND Forest Way → Int of Tall Trees AND Forest Way Walks
(3km) Tall Trees & Forest Way Walks → Int of Main Ridge & Tall Trees Walks
Turn left: From the intersection[97], this walk follows the 'Tall Trees Walk to Carnley Ave Carpark' sign[98] gently downhill, while keeping the valley on your right. This walk continues, undulating through forest for about 400m until coming to a level three-way intersection[99][100], with a 'Tall Trees Walk to Richley Carpark' sign[101] (on the left) and a sealed trail (on the right).
(3km) Int of Main Ridge & Tall Trees Walks → Int of Main Ridge & Blueberry Ash Walks
(4km) Int of Main Ridge and Blueberry Ash Walks → Int of Rain Forest Walk and Lookout Road
(4km) Int of Lookout Road & Main Ridge Trail → Int of Lookout Trail AND Rain Forest Walk
Turn left: From the intersection[122], this walk follows the 'Sensory Trail (return)' sign[123] and trail gently downhill. This walk continues through forest for about 140m, to pass a 'Rain Forest Area/Picnic Park' sign[124] (on the right). Then this walk continues for about 170m, passing the 'Senses Track 150m' sign[125][126] (on the left), until crossing a bridge[127] with a timber fence and coming to a three-way intersection, with a 'Lookout Rd 420m' sign[128] ahead.
(4km) Int of Lookout Trail & Rain Forest Walk → Int of Rain Forest Walk & Lookout Trail
Rod Earp Rainforest Picnic Area
(4km) Int of Rain Forest Walk & Link Track → Main Ridge & Rain Forest Walks
(5km) Main Ridge & Rain Forest Walks → Int of Main Ridge Trail & Lookout Road
(5km) Int of Main Ridge Trail & Lookout Road → Int of Boardwalk & Main Ridge Trail
(5km) Int of Boardwalk & Main Ridge Trail → Int of Boardwalk & Carnley Trail
Blackbutt Wildlife Exhibits
(5km) Int of Boardwalk & Main Ridge Trail → Int of Boardwalk & Carnley Trail
Carnley Ave Reserve
(5km) Int of Boardwalk & Carnley Trail → Int of Blueberry Ash Walk & Carnley Trail
Continue straight: From the intersection[216][217], this walk follows the sealed road, while initially keeping the Black Duck Pond[218] on your left and the replica pioneering cottage[219][220] directly behind you. This walk continues, passing the Black Duck Pond (on the left) and continues gently uphill[221] for about 150m (passing a sheltered picnic area[222] and children's playground on the right) until coming to a three-way intersection[223] with a gravel trail (on the left), a metal ring fence (on the right) and a 'Main Ridge Walk (loop)' sign[224].
(6km) Int of Carnley Trail & Blueberry Ash Walk → Int of Carnley & Tall Trees Trails
Continue straight: From the intersection[230][231], this walk follows the gently downhill trail and moves directly away from the metal ring fence, while initially keeping the trail and fence[232] on your right. This walk continues, undulating for about 170m until coming to a three-way intersection[233][234], with a 'Richley Car Park' sign[235].
(6km) Int of Main Ridge & Tall Trees Walks → Richley Reserve (Short Cut Intersection)
(6km) Richley Reserve (Short Cut Intersection) → Richley Reserve (Car Park)
Turn left: From the intersection[252][253], this walk follows the sealed trail gently downhill, keeping the 'Tall Tree Walk (loop)' sign[254] directly behind you while walking towards the road and car park. This walk continues for about 45m, passing through a metal gate[255] to find a three-way intersection, with a road[256] on the right and the car park[257] on the left. Then this walk turns left and follows the car park gently uphill for about 150m, until coming to a 'Tall Tree Ridge Walk' sign[258] and sheltered picnic tables[259][260] ahead. Now Continue straight to rejoin the main walk .
(6km) Richley Reserve (Short Cut Intersection) → Richley Reserve (Four Way Intersection)
(6km) Richley Reseve (four way intersection) → Richley Reserve (car park)
Maps for the Blackbutt Circuit Walk walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Wallsend | 1:25 000 Map Series | 92323S WALLSEND | NSW-92323S |
| Newcastle | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9232 NEWCASTLE | 9232 |
Cross sectional view of the Blackbutt Circuit Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Blackbutt Circuit Walk

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 6.5 km | ||
| Time | 2 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
Grade 3/6 Moderate track | 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) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
Around 4.1km of this walk is flat with no steps, whilst the remaining 2.4km has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
Around 4.6km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 1.9km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 3.8km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 2.7km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 6km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 6km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
Similar walks
A list of walks that share part of the track with the Blackbutt Circuit Walk walk.
Other Nearby walks
A list of walks that start near the Blackbutt Circuit Walk walk.
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Blackbutt Circuit Walk walk starts and ends at the Richley Reserve (Car Park) (gps: -32.932399, 151.70001)
Comments
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