\nAnimal encounters, wildlife exhibits and shows remain\u202fon hold\u202funder the current social distancing and public gathering restrictions, while\u202fthe\u202fkiosk\u202falso\u202fremains closed.
\n
![\"wombat-(1).jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getattachment\/Council\/News\/Latest-News\/Creatures%E2%80%AFof%E2%80%AFBlackbutt%E2%80%AFReserve%E2%80%AFwelcome-back%E2%80%AFvisito\/wombat-(1).jpg.aspx\" "\\"wombat-(1).jpg\\"")
\n\u201cBlackbutt Reserve is one of our City\u2019s most popular attractions\u202fand we\u2019re\u202fpleased\u202fpeople\u202fcan once again\u202fenjoy the boardwalk and\u202fsee\u202fsome of the\u202f60 species of\u202fanimals\u202fthat\u202flive there,\u201d\u202fNewcastle\u202fLord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
\n\u201cSafety is our priority and when you visit\u202fBlackbutt Reserve, you can expect\u00a0social distancing measures\u202fin place\u202fto\u202fprotect visitors and our\u202fstaff.
\n\u201cNovocastrians have done a\u202ffantastic job of limiting the spread of COVID-19,\u202fand as we reopen\u202ffacilities to the\u202fpublic,\u202fwe encourage everyone to keep up the good work\u202fincluding practising good hygiene and staying home if you\u2019re unwell.\u201d
\nDuring the Reserve\u2019s closure,\u202fBlackbutt\u2019s\u202fkoalas\u202fbecame\u202fsocial media stars with\u202fa\u202f360-degree\u202flive stream of\u202ffeeding time,\u202fallowing young and old to\u202fjoin them\u202fdaily\u202ffor\u202flunch.
\n\u201cOver seven days, the stream of feeding time with koalas attracted 30,000 views\u202fon\u00a0Facebook\u202fproving just how popular\u202fand loved\u202four\u202fanimals are.\u201d
\nAdding to the experience at Blackbutt\u00a0Reserve,\u00a0playgrounds, walking trails, open spaces,\u202fshelters and barbecues are open.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"