Newcastle Bushwalking Club (NBC) arranges a program of activities for our members including Bushwalking, Cycling, and Kayaking. Our activities include both day walks and overnight walks and also extended walks within Australia.
You must participate in at least one activity as a visitor before applying to join the club.
After completing an activity you may apply to join by emailing activities@newcastlebushwalkingclub.org.au and letting us know the activity/activities you have completed with the club. We will then send you an email with a link to the membership application form and payment details. Your application will then be considered by the club committee at the next meeting.
Persons considering joining the club, and member’s guests, may ONLY participate as visitors in three activities at no cost before joining. This is a requirement of our insurance coverage.
Persons whose membership has lapsed must re-join before they can attend any activities as they will not be covered by insurance as a visitor.
Please note - Membership of our Facebook page is not membership of NBC. Click here for NBC Membership information.
For details of our Activity Grading System click here.
Bookings are required for all activities by 2 days prior to the activity (unless a start time is shown, in which case members may simply turn up).
Emails often go astray so if you don't receive a timely response after emailing a leader please email activities@newcastlebushwalkingclub.org.au with details and we will follow up with the leader if required.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VISITORS:
Visitors must always contact the leader before attending any activity - if you simply show up without contacting the leader beforehand you will not be allowed to join the activity
When requesting to join an activity please provide the leader with information on your experience and background sufficient that they can assess if the activity is suitable for you. Also, please provide a phone number in case the leader needs to discuss any matters regarding your participation in the activity.
Visitors will be required to read and sign an Acknowledgement of Risks and Obligations at each activity. For details click here
FUTURE ACTIVITIES THAT MAY REQUIRE EARLY BOOKINGS
Friday 25 July through to Thursday 31 July
A week in the Blue Mountains: to walk, ride, sightsee and socialise with friends. Contact the organiser for an information sheet before you book accommodation. Please act on this now, as accommodation may book out. Members Only (Partners welcome for social events). Details at the bottom of the page.
Save these dates for overnight full moon walks to Careys Peak in the Barrington Tops
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th July 2025
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th August 2025
8th to 14th September 2025 - Expressions of Interest
Mt Kaputar National Park car camp trip - Details at the bottom of the page
Saturday afternoon, 20th September 2025
Newcastle Bushwalking Club will be celebrating its 80th Birthday at Wallsend Diggers Club Mezz Bar Room
Sunday, September 21, 2025
BBQ and short walk at Marmong Point Hall to further celebrate the club's 80th Birthday
CURRENT CONFIRMED ACTIVITIES
Thursday, May 01, 2025
Ride - Stockton To Fern Bay. 30km. Ride to Fern Bay and return. Meet at the Stockton Ferry Terminal, Stockton side. Grade M-E-20.
Be ready to start riding at 8.30 am.
Leader: Judy W - judygeoffwilson@hotmail.com
Please note that the second MTB ride today has been cancelled due to track conditions after the recent rain.
MTB Ride - Gresford - Vacy Loop 45 km. Mostly sealed road, some gravel. We haven't done this before. Bring morning tea. Lunch after maybe, where?
Leader: Peter H - peterlhamer@gmail.com
Saturday, May 03, 2025
Walk - Cowan to Berowra via Berowra Waters. Follows part of the Great North Walk. Considered a challenging track with multiple steep climbs and ridge walks. it also offers excellent views from Naa Badu Lookout and other vantage points along the way. Lunch at Berowra Waters. Meet at Berowra Station, then catch the train from there to Cowan Station for the start of the walk. Walk finishes back at Berowra Station. 15km Distance, M-M-700
Leader: Steven M - Stevenmoore@outlook.com.au
Tuesday, May 06, 2025
Kayak - Valentine
Leader: Glen H - glenhollingshed@gmail.com
Wednesday, May 07, 2025
Walk - Petersham (Little Portugal) Catch train 6.41am to Sydney, then train to Petersham. Walk to Belem Cafe for coffee and Portuguese tart, See Portuguese tiled wall. tiled pavement in cobblestones, lunch at Public House built in 1858, then walk it off with a visit to Petersham Park where Donald Bradman scored his 1st grade century at 18. Return home on train 4.15pm Limited numbers
Leader: Ros R - rosalindrae4@gmail.com
Thursday, May 08, 2025
Ride - The Entrance to Wyong Milk Factory 38 km. Ride from The Entrance along lakeside shared pathway. Ride through Tuggerah on shared pathway. Continue over Wyong bridge, then to the left, a few uphills to get to Wyong Milk Factory which is now a café. Meet at Picnic Point Reserve – enter off end of Manning Road, The Entrance
Leader: Bob M - rmontgomery962@gmail.com
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Walk - Glenrock State Conservation Area Via Dudley Beach 9.3 loop
Leader: Stacey G - sgardiner5@icloud.com
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Kayak - Bolton Point
Leader: Glen H - glenhollingshed@gmail.com
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Walk - Natural Arch and Gap Creek Falls Watagan NP 5km SE 3 hrs. From car park walk to Natural Arch for morning tea then down to the falls for lunch. Meet at Freemans Waterhole Service Station end
Leader: Frank K - frank.kupina@live.com.au
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Please note the Feature Night for NBC Photo Competition Results has been moved to Wednesday, May 21, 2025 which is 1 week later than previously published.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Ride - Kotara to Nobbys. 31km. Ride the Raspberry Gully Track to Adamstown, on through Merewether, Nobbys and Carrington and return via Tighes Hill. Meet at start of shared pathway in Aberfeldy Close, at corner of Kirkdale Drive, Kotara South. (The bottom of the hill.) Grade M-E-150.
Leader: Lyndon M - Lyndon.leo@gmail.com
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Walk - Yellow Rock. 14 km. Ridge Walk along fire trails to Yellow Rock which provides spectacular views over the Wollombi Valley above the town of Broke. There are some large sandstone caves nearby. Meet at junction of Cedar Creek and Wollombi Roads Millfield for car pooling - SUV's recommended for drive on gravel road to start of walk. Bring morning tea & lunch. Map Broken Back 1:25,000. Start at GR 268 676. Grade M-E-300. Bookings essential to confirm car pooling arrangements.
Leader: Wayne B - maclaryster@gmail.com
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Kayak - Cams Wharf
Leader: Glen H - glenhollingshed@gmail.com
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Walk - Train to Circular Quay and then across the Harbour Bridge and around the harbour to the Coal Loader Historical Site at Balls Head & return. Approx. 11kms. S-E-100. Bookings required to advise train details.
Leader: Jenny D - jenandtone@gmail.com
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Feature Night - NBC Photo Competition Results. Our judge David will present the photos submitted in this year's photo competition with feedback and commentary as well as some photography tips and some of his own photos from the year. This is a good retrospective of the club's activities in the past 12 months. The presentation starts at 7:30 Join other members for a meal beforehand from around 6:30pm.
Venue: Alder Park Sports Club, 132 Bridges Road, New Lambton. On street parking only: in Bridges Road, Moonbi Street; or, across the road in Rydal Street and use the pedestrian lights.
Visitors (non NBC members) should book beforehand by emailing activities@newcastlebushwalkingclub.org.au
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Ride - Morpeth to Woodville. Approx. 30 km. Ride via Maitland to Woodville. Coffee at Woodville – NEED CASH. Return will be via Wallalong Road (the pothole road). Start riding at 9.00 am from Queens Wharf Road, Morpeth.
Leader: Cyndy S - cyngym@gmail.com
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Walk - Fingal Bay to Big Rocky return. Scenic coastal walk along well formed, undulating track. 14km, 5hrs return. Medium difficulty. Bring MT and lunch. Grade M-M-140.
Leader: Geoff C - geoffcrofts744@gmail.com
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Kayak - Valentine
Leader: George C - georgecowan59@yahoo.com.au
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Walk - East Maitland Heritage Walk +++ 7km Loop walk past public buildings (courthouse, goal, old post office, lands office), churches, Glebe Burial Ground, parks and private houses. Meet at King Edward Park, Banks Street East Maitland (adjacent to East Maitland Bowling Club at 8:45am for a 9am start. There is the EMBC, cafes and pubs in close proximity if participants would like a lunch or coffee at the conclusion of the walk. Grade S-E-40.
Leader: Lyn P - pritchardlyn@gmail.com
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Committee Meeting
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Ride - Broadmeadow to Marmong 42 km Ride to Wallsend, over the Tramway to Glendale, over Five Island Bridge to Marmong. Coffee at Art Gallery or maybe Teralba, before returning. Meet at Broadmeadow football stadium, canal end of car park.
Leader: Peter H - peterlhamer@gmail.com
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Walk - Heaton Gap + Honeycomb Cave. Starting out from the Watagan Forest Motel we follow the Great North Walk up one of the steepest hill climb's around and then continue south. We go off the GNW and connect onto Heaton Circuit track for some thicker scrub walking eventually reaching Barniers Rd which we follow to Heaton Rd. Diverting off this to follow a steep downhill trail to visit the Honeycomb Cave for Morning Tea. Then back up eventually reaching Heaton Lookout and reconnecting back to the earlier trail to head back to the start. 15km distance - Grade M-R-800.
Leader: Steven M - Stevenmoore@outlook.com.au
ADVANCE NOTICE OF FUTURE ACTIVITIES
Friday 25 July through to Thursday 31 July
A week in the Blue Mountains: to walk, ride, sightsee and socialise with friends. Come for all, or for some. Choice of hard, medium, or easy walks or simply take in the views and the cafes. We will split into smaller groups each day. Same, same as the last 3 years. Contact the organiser for an information sheet before you book accommodation. Please act on this now, as accommodation may book out. Members Only (Partners welcome for social events)
Organiser: Donna - donna@oblique.au
Save these dates for overnight full moon walks to Careys Peak in the Barrington Tops
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th July 2025
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th August 2025
8th to 14th September 2025 - Expressions of Interest
Mt Kaputar National Park car camp trip, planned for 8th to 14th September 2025, to finish before Clubs 80th Anniversary on the 20th.
Note…Bookings are only available 6 months in advance in the Kaputar NP. There may be a need to limit numbers.
Days1-5…..Mt Kaputar National Park has a variety of tracks, (NPs grading between 2 & 4), taking the adventurous bushwalker to a wide range of peaks worth climbing including the incredible Yulludinada Crater (G4) and Mt. Coryah (G4) to name a few. Included within the park are some amazing locations such as Sawn Rocks (G2) worth a serious look! The plan is to enjoy at least 10 of the 11 tracks, taking in the stunning features of this wonderful national park. The 11th track, a (G5) 19kms, is for the serious walkers if they choose. Some walks are short so multiple walks will be run each day. The car camp will be at Dawsons Springs (16 sites) or Bark Hut (12 sites). there are excellent campsites with hot showers as well as gas BBQs for cooking and shelters/seating at the campsites. For those who want more comfort there are 3 cabins for hire, 2 accommodating 4 each, double + 2 bunks. 1 cabin at 2.
The driving time from Newcastle to the park is approximately 450kms allow 6 hours. And there are restrictions on vehicle combinations permitted to drive up the Mt Kaputar Rd.
Day 6-7 …..Drive a loop around the northern end of Mt Kaputar NP to Waa Gorge which has a short (G4) walk, and further on to a camp at or near Horton Falls NP. (Near Barraba
Days 7 up to 10 KAYAK/ PADDLE …..Depending on water levels in Sept….After viewing Horton Falls drive to either Split Rock, Keepit or Chaffey dams to camp and paddle. This third option may be changed to be a separate trip at another date, earlier or later.
Please indicate to activities@newcastlebushwalkingclub.org.au before the end of March if you would like to join all or part of this trip away.
Saturday afternoon, 20th September 2025
Newcastle Bushwalking Club will be celebrating its 80th Birthday this year. SAVE THE DATE!!!! We plan to hold a reunion of past and present members to celebrate this milestone in the club's history. The event will be held at Wallsend Diggers Mezz Bar events room - more details to follow.
Sunday, September 21, 2025
BBQ and short walk at Marmong Point Hall to further celebrate the club's 80th Birthday
To see our full program please have a look at our latest magazine here. Note that the program in the magazine is subject to change and once confirmed it is put on this web page above.