Forestway Circuit Walk
Download & Print Map and Notes
1 Hr
2.7 km Circuit
91 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.
Blackbutt Reserve
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.
Mahognay Picnic Area (Queens St)
(0km) Mahognay Picnic Area (Queens St) → Int of Forest Way Walk & Mahogany Drive Trail
70 m
1 mins
3m
-1m
Moderate trackFrom the Mahogany Picnic Area[11][12] (on Queens Rd, New Lambton), this walk passes around the locked gate[13] and follows the gently uphill trail for about 70m (with picnic tables on the right), until coming to toilets[14] (on the left) and a three-way intersection[15][16], with two 'Forest Way Walk' signs directly ahead.
(0km) Int of Forest Way Walk & Mahogany Drive Trail → Lily Pond Picnic Area
300 m
6 mins
1m
-14m
Moderate trackTurn right: From the intersection[17][18], this walk follows the 'Forest Way Walk' sign[19] and trail gently downhill, while initially keeping the toilets[20] on your right and the sign on your left. This walk continues for about 45m to find a picnic table[21] (on the right). Then this walk continues through forest[22][23] for about 260m, until coming to Lily Pond Picnic Area[24][25][26][27].
Lily Pond Picnic Area
The Lily Pond picnic area in Blackbutt Reserve feels like a small, watery oasis surrounded by eucalyptus forest[28]. There is an attractive tropical water lily pond[29] with a healthy cover of Nymphaea[30], which is particularly beautiful when flowering. Also at this picnic area are bench seats[31], picnic tables[32], small grassed areas[33] and an elevated timber barbecue[34].
(0km) Lily Pond Picnic Area → Int of Forest Way & Bower Bird Creek Trails
500 m
10 mins
26m
-8m
Moderate trackContinue straight: From the Lily Pond Picnic Area[35][36][37], this walk follows the trail gently uphill, while initially keeping the 'Lily Pond Picnic Area' sign on your left. This walk continues for about 170m, to find a three-way intersection[38] with a faint track (on the left) and a 'Forest Way Walk' sign[39] (on the right). Then this walk continues straight ahead through forest for about 30m to cross a bridge over a dry rocky creek[40][41]. This walk then continues for about 280m, with houses visible[42] on the left, until coming to a T-intersection[43][44] with a level trail and two green metal posts[45] directly ahead.
(1km) Int of Forest Way & Bower Bird Creek Trails → End of Ridgeway Road (New Hampton Heights)
70 m
1 mins
7m
0m
Moderate trackTurn sharp left: From the intersection[46], this walk follows the trail gently uphill, while initially keeping the two green metal posts[47] on your right. This walk continues through forest for about 60m, until passing around a locked metal gate[48] and coming to the end of Ridgeway Road[49][50] (amongst houses).
(1km) End of Ridgeway Road → Int of Lookout Road & Forest Way
760 m
14 mins
45m
-3m
Moderate trackContinue straight: From the end of Ridgeway Rd[51][52] (in New Lampton Heights), this walk follows Ridgeway Rd gently uphill, while leaving the locked gate[53] and 'Blackbutt Reserve - Ridgeway Rd Entrance' sign directly behind. This walk continues for about 250m, beside houses[54], to find a four-way intersection[55], with Croudace Rd. Then this walk continues straight ahead for about 400m, until coming to a level section of road as Ridgeway Road[56][57] bends sharply right[58] (there is a water tower[59] in a park on the left). This walk turns left and follows the footpath (while keeping the water tank on your left) next to Lookout Rd for about 100m, until coming to a three-way intersection[60][61] with a wide track and 'Blackbutt Reserve - Ridgeway Rd Entrance' sign[62] on the left.
(2km) Int of Lookout Road AND Forest Way → Int of Tall Trees AND Forest Way Walks
250 m
6 mins
0m
-26m
Easy trackVeer left: From the intersection[63][64](Lookout Rd, New Lambton Heights), this walk follows the track gently downhill, while passing the 'Blackbutt Reserve - Forest Way Entrance' sign[65] (on your left) and keeping Lookout Road on your right. After about 20m, the walk passes around a locked metal gate[66]. Then this walk continues through forest for about 240m, with houses[67] visible on the right, until coming to a three-way intersection[68] with a trail and 'Forest Way Walk' sign[69][70] on the right.
(2km) Int of Tall Trees and Forest Way Walks → Int of Forest Way & Tall Trees Walks
310 m
7 mins
0m
-21m
Easy trackTurn left: From the intersection[71], this walk follows the 'Tall Trees Walk to Richley Carpark' sign[72] gently downhill, while keeping the gently uphill trail on the left. This walk continues through forest for about 300m until coming to a three-way intersection[73], with a 'Tall Trees Walk to Carnley Ave Carpark' sign[74] (on the left) and a trail (on the right).
(2km) Int of Forest Way AND Tall Trees Walks → Richley Reserve (Four Way Intersection)
420 m
7 mins
1m
-17m
Moderate trackVeer right: From the intersection[75], this walk follows the 'Richley Carpark' sign[76] and sealed trail gently downhill, while keeping the sign directly behind you. This walk continues through attractive forest[77] (ignoring side tracks[78]) for about 300m, until coming to a four-way intersection[79][80], with a large attractive pond[81] directly ahead.
Continue straight: From the intersection[82][83], this walk follows the trail gently downhill between the two large ponds[84], while keeping the timber post with chain[85] attached directly behind you. This walk follows the trail for about 80m, crossing a timber footbridge[86], until coming to a four-way intersection[87], with a children's playground[88] ahead (on the left). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Continue straight: From the intersection[82][83], this walk follows the trail gently downhill between the two large ponds[84], while keeping the timber post with chain[85] attached directly behind you. This walk follows the trail for about 80m, crossing a timber footbridge[86], until coming to a four-way intersection[87], with a children's playground[88] ahead (on the left). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Richley Reserve
The Richley Reserve, within Blackbutt Reserve, has a park office[89], large pond areas[90] with swans (beware the swans[91] as they defend their territory), sheltered picnic tables[92], water taps[93], toilets[94], open grassed areas[95], a children's playground[96], electric barbecues[97] and a car park[98]. 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.
(2km) Int of Forest Way & Tall Trees Walks → Int of Forest Way Walk & Mahogany Drive Trail
380 m
7 mins
8m
-14m
Very easyContinue straight: From the intersection[99], this walk follows the sealed trail gently downhill, while initially keeping the 'Tall Trees Walk to Carnley Ave Carpark' sign[100] on your left. This walk continues through forest for about 180m, to find an open picnic area[101] (on the right). Then this walk continues straight ahead for about 210m until coming to a three-way intersection[102][103], with a 'Forest Way Walk' sign (on the left) and a toilet[104] (on the right ahead).
(3km) Int of Forest Way Walk & Mahogany Drive Trail → Mahognay Picnic Area (Queens St)
70 m
1 mins
1m
-3m
Moderate trackContinue straight: From the intersection[105][106], this walk follows the trail gently downhill, while moving directly away from both 'Forest Way Walk' signs[107] and initially keeping the toilets[108][109] on your right. This walk continues for about 70m, (with picnic tables[110] on the left), until passing around a locked gate[111] and coming to the Mahogany Car Park and Picnic Area[112].
Maps for the Forestway 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 Forestway Circuit Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Forestway 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 | 2.7 km | ||
| Time | 1 Hr | ||
| . | |||
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 2.1km of this walk is flat with no steps, whilst the remaining 560m has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
Around 2.2km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 500m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 1.8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 930m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 2.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 2.7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 2.7km 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 Forestway Circuit Walk walk.
Tall Trees Circuit Walk
2.8 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins
Moderate track
Blackbutt Explorer
6 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins
Moderate track
Blackbutt Circuit Walk
6.5 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins
Moderate track
Other Nearby walks
A list of walks that start near the Forestway Circuit Walk walk.
Richley Reserve to Carnley Reserve Circuit
2.9 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins
Moderate track
Richley Reserve Circuit
731 m Circuit, 30 mins
Very easy
Black Duck Creek Circuit Walk
2.1 km Circuit, 1 Hr
Moderate track
Rod Earp Rain Forest Circuit (from Lookout Rd)
1.9 km Circuit, 1 Hr
Moderate track
Main Ridge Circuit Walk
2.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr
Moderate track
Rod Earp Rainforest Circuit (from Carnley Ave)
2 km Circuit, 1 Hr
Moderate track
Blackbutt Wildlife Exhibit
480 m Circuit, 15 mins
Very easy
Yuelarbah walking track to Flaggy Creek
1.3 km Return, 40 mins
Easy track
Charlestown Park track head to Merewether
7.9 km One way, 2 hrs 45 mins
Hard track
Charlestown Park trackhead to Newcastle station
12.1 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
Merewether to Queens Wharf
4.4 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins
Moderate track
Awabakal Coastal Walk
1.9 km One way, 45 mins
Hard track
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Forestway Circuit Walk walk starts and ends at the Mahognay Picnic Area (Queens St) (gps: -32.930167, 151.70397)
Comments
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