As a child, Blackbutt Reserve was such a magical place. I remember visiting with my parents and walking down from a car park located off Lookout Road. It was very different from what it is today and with the magnificent restoration of Richley Reserve and playground, your family is going to love this back-to-nature experience.
Arriving at Richley Reserve
Richley Reserve is located at the back of Blackbutt Reserve, so you need to go past Blackbutt shops on Orchardtown Road and turn left into Freyberg Street. Follow the signs, you’ll find a car park at the end, which is open from 7 am – 7 pm, every day. Make sure you bring some coins for metered parking.
From here simply follow any path towards the flat grassy spaces, enjoying the duck ponds and natural habitat as you pass. You’ll find plenty of space to throw a picnic rug. You can choose to light a wood BBQ for a traditional cook-up or use one of the electric BBQs instead. Toilets and the awesome playground are straight ahead!
Richley Reserve Playground
This amazing adventure playground connects children with nature play like never before. Using rock and stick play spaces, kids are encouraged to use their imagination with confidence.
With a focus on older kids and improved disability access, this playground design creates old-fashioned outdoor fun. You can book a picnic shelter in advance for a party or gathering inside the playground, or outside. However, you won’t have any trouble finding a spot for your family, as this reserve is massive.
Walking over to Blackbutt Reserve
We love walking over to Blackbutt Reserve. Simply follow the emu prints on the ground and you’ll stay on track. The first section of the hill is a steep incline, but the whole walk only takes about 10min and it’s paved all the way.
Start this walk at the toilet block and stop by the map to get your bearings. Once at the top simply keep going straight and you’ll decline down to the emus and kangaroos at Blackbutt Reserve.
Blackbutt Reserve
The animals are definitely the main attraction at Blackbutt Reserve; however, it’s also become a popular spot for parties. With a smaller adventure playground right at the car park and a large grassed area, the picnic shelters are extremely popular on the weekends.
The new multi-purpose community facility and cafe opened in June 2025. With a comprehensive breakfast & lunch menu, it’s the perfect way to enhance your visit to Blackbutt. Blackbutt Cafe also has an awesome kids’ menu and serves delicious coffee, so make sure you check it out and plan some time here.
There are toilets in this area as well.
Meet the animals
The wildlife exhibits are open from 10 am – 4.30 pm and it’s a lovely walk through the treetops. Catch the daily feeding times at the enclosures. 10.30 am for the wombats, 10.45 am for a bird brunch, at 1.30 pm it’s a nocturnal nourish, and the koalas get fed at 2 pm.
You can also book a critter encounter for a party, or meet, greet and learn about reptiles. Tickets at the kiosk and make sure you’re at the Wildlife Arena by 11 am on weekends, or daily during the school holidays.
The emus and kangaroos can get quite peckish. Purchase a cone with their favourite treat from the kiosk for $1 each. Just watch little fingers with the emus, and be careful as they like to snatch.
If you’re looking for a fun day outside being immersed in nature, then Richley Reserve and a walk over to Blackbutt Reserve is a must-do. It will wear the kids out and get them off the screens. If you want more information, head to the Blackbutt Reserve website.
