FAQs

A complete list of the exhibited wildlife at Blackbutt Reserve can be found in the  Wildlife exhibits section of the web page.

Blackbutt Reserve also has range of wild fauna ranging from brush-tail possums, grey-headed flying foxes and powerful owls.

Blackbutt Reserve currently has 16 picnic shelters that can be booked for private functions. There are six shelters located at the Carnley Reserve entrance and 10 shelters at Richley Reserve (located off Freyberg Street).

For more information, visit our shelter hire page.

Yes, our animal feeding times are a great way to watch our animals at their most active! Take a look at our feeding times for more info. 

The BBQs at Blackbutt Reserve are simple push button operation, and give you approximately 20 minutes cooking time. They are NOT coin operated.

The BBQs are available for all visitors and cannot be booked.

No. Motorbikes, scooters and push bikes are not permitted within Blackbutt Reserve. This includes around the picnic areas and along the designated tracks.

Dogs, on a leash or not, are not permitted within the Reserve. Breaches may incur a fine in accordance with Companion Animals Legislation.

• Wildlife exhibits are open from 10am – 4.30pm, (closed Christmas Day, Good Friday and before1pm Anzac Day).
• Picnic facilities and carparks 7am – 7pm.
• Blackbutt Kiosk 10am - 3pm daily except Wednesdays and Sundays, closed Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day.
• Office 8am - 3pm, Monday to Friday, closed between Christmas and New Year and also public holidays.

It is against regulations in New South Wales for the general public to hold koalas.

If a Total Fire Ban has been declared there will be signs posted on the entry gates to the Reserve and near most major picnic areas. During a Total Fire Ban no fire may be lit in the open. Fire permits are suspended during a Total Fire Ban. This includes incinerators and barbecues which burn solid fuel, e.g. wood or charcoal.

You may use a gas barbeque at home during a Total Fire Ban, but only if:

• it is on a residential property within 20m of the house or dwelling
• if it is a picnic area and the appliance is approved by council, National Park or State Forest
• it is under the direct control of an adult
• the ground within 2m of the barbecue is cleared of all materials which could burn
• you have an immediate and continuous supply of water available. (Source:  NSW Rural Fire Service).

Blackbutt Reserve has electric barbeques at Richley Reserve and Carnley Avenue that may be used during a Total Fire Ban.

The koala exhibit is open seven days a week from 10am to 4.30pm. The special design of this exhibit allows for close viewing of the koalas and some wonderful photo opportunities.

Please download the  Blackbutt Reserve map (pdf).

The Wildlife Rescue Service is an organisation of wildlife carers dedicated to rescuing and caring injured or orphaned animals. The Wildlife Rescue Service can be contacted on the 0418 628 483. Alternatively, we suggest you talk to your local vet as they have a duty of care with respect to native animals or RSPCA Rutherford on 02 4939 1555.

Koalas are marsupials which means they have a pouch. A young koala (joey) is born after 35 days and then makes its way into the pouch and attaches itself to one of mum’s teats and stays there for approximately 6 months. The closest relative to the koala is the wombat.

Ticks occur in moist sheltered bushy areas and gardens. They may drop on clothing as you brush against shrubbery, or drop from overhanging branches. They usually attach to body recesses where they can't be easily brushed off. The most common areas are behind the ears, the back of the head, armpits, and the back of the knees, groins and other skin folds.

Tick bites are seldom felt at first and can go unnoticed for days. Ticks can remain attached for a number of weeks. Usually there will be a small lump around the bite area. If you find a tick remove it immediately using the following methods:

• Apply a small amount of insect repellent containing DEET on skin (most good insect repellents contain this).
• Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible using fine point tweezers or a tick remover.
• Gently pull the tick straight out with steady pressure.
• Wash your hands and disinfect the bite and tweezers.
• For multiple tick bites, usually tiny grass ticks, the best removal is to soak for 30 minutes in a bath with 1 cup of bicarb soda.

You should wear a wide brimmed hat, long sleeve shirt and long pants to protect yourself when bushwalking. Check yourself and other family members when you get home. Be careful of where you put your clothes as you may introduce ticks into your house.

If you know you are going to enter a tick area you should spray clothing and hats with an insect repellent. It is a good idea to do this the night before. Also use insect repellent on exposed skin.

If pets have been playing in tick areas, they should be checked daily for at least a week. Pets may not show signs of paralysis until 4 days after the tick has attached. Tick paralysis may still develop 24-48 hours after the tick has been removed. Early signs of tick paralysis in pets include lameness in hind legs and respiratory difficulties. If this occurs seek veterinary attention immediately.

If you find a possum has moved into your roof there are a number of strategies that can be utilised. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services has identified 8 steps to relocate a possum:

• Provide an alternative home for the possum by constructing a sturdy weatherproof possum-house.
• Get inside your roof and locate the possum’s nest if possible. The nest, which has the scent of the possum, should be placed in the new possum-house to encourage the possum to its new home.
• Securely fix the possum-house to a tree in or near your yard. Place it at least 4 metres (12 feet) from the ground so it will be out of reach of domestic dogs and cats.
• Put half an apple or banana in or near the possum-house to encourage the possum to investigate its new home.
• Trim any branches that overhang the house to remove access to your yard.
• Spread some quassia chips throughout the roof cavity to repel the possum. You can usually find the chips at hardware stores. If you can’t find quassia chips, you could repel the possum by spreading eight blocks of camphor or one or two boxes of mothballs throughout the roof cavity. Do not use both camphor and moth balls as they react chemically with each other.
• Place a light in the roof cavity and keep it switched on for 3 days and nights. The combination of the light and the smell should drive the possum out of your roof and hopefully into the possum-house you have provided.
• If you do not hear the possum for a few nights, it has probably found a new home. To prevent the possum from returning, block off the access points into your roof with timber, chicken wire or both. Night time is the best time to block off the access points, as the possum will have left to forage for food. Do not block off the access points unless you are certain the possum or possums have left your roof.

If this does not deter the possum you may need to trap it.

Responsible alcohol consumption is allowed at the Reserve.

Yes, Blackbutt Reserve offers many scenic areas for photography.

Blackbutt Reserve is open 7am – 7pm daily. If you plan for your wedding to finish later than 7pm, Blackbutt can arrange for the perimeter gates to be closed at a nominated time.

There is direct access to electricity at Richley Reserve site C and at all shelters except for the Honeyeater, Spoonbill and Crimson Rosella shelters. Additional power can be provided upon request for Area D.

Yes. You will need to supply a copy of the company’s Liability Insurance as per Council policy;
Public Liability is required if you are hosting a major event or using professional caterers or amusement devices. Please provide a Certificate of Currency from any organisation’s insurers who certify at least $20 million public liability coverage for this event and have noted 'Newcastle City Council' as an interested party on the certificate. This insurance policy also contains a cross liability clause.

Full payment is due at the time of booking.

You will be issued with a licence which includes conditions of use and booking details. This is your proof of payment and booking. Shelters will be roped off with tag line and signs.

Yes. If you would like to prepay tickets for your guests on the day, please contact the office to arrange. Otherwise please see fees and charges.  Weddings

Yes! Bookings can be cancelled up to 24 hours' prior to the event start time by emailing blackbuttadmin@ncc.nsw.gov.au. A refund of $50.00 will be applicable for cancellations, provided that 24 hours' notice is supplied. 

Similarly, for rescheduled bookings, these can be arranged up to 24 hours' prior to the event start time by emailing blackbuttadmin@ncc.nsw.gov.au. These bookings can be rescheduled to an available date within 3 months of the original booking, provided that 24 hours' notice is supplied.

No, you can check out as a guest user. Creating an account allows you to have access to your booking to be able to make amendments or cancel. 

For more information on how to create an account, log in, update details and make bookings, please see our how-to-guide. 

For shelter and animal encounters, we require 3 business days notice. 

Our booking system has a 3 business day lead time. If you would like to request inside of this, please contact blackbuttadmin@ncc.nsw.gov.au 

To make the most secure payment, please log in to your Bookable account and check out securely. 

For alternative payment options, please contact us or visit the City Administration Centre at 12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle West. Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and we accept cash, cheque, or card.

You will receive an email confirmation to advise that your booking is confirmed. On the day, your shelter will be roped off with your booking details.

Once logged in, select 'My Account' and click on the booking. You will be able to make changes, add Bookable items or cancel the entire booking. 

Please note that cancellation fees apply, ensure to refer to the Terms and Conditions prior to cancelling your booking. 

For further information on how to navigate Bookable, please refer to our 'how to' document. 

Education programs can be scheduled between the hours of 10am and 3pm.

Each program runs for 45 minutes.

If you have up to 60 children you may do more than 1 program. For over 60 children please discuss options with office staff.

Blackbutt staff will be with the children during your 45 minute program. Before and after this time the children will be under supervision of their teachers.