Ironbark Creek is a waterway located within the Hunter Wetlands Centre near Newcastle, New South Wales, in the Lake Macquarie region. The creek winds through wetland habitat and passes beneath a canopy of rainforest vegetation, giving it a distinctly enclosed, sheltered character. The waterway is relatively compact, with a marked self-guided canoe trail of approximately 2 kilometres that leads to a rainforest shelter, making it well-suited to shorter outings and family paddling.

The Hunter Wetlands Centre operates a canoe and kayak hire program on the creek, offering two- and three-person canoes as well as single kayaks. Self-guided hire is priced at $20 for two hours for a single kayak and $30 for two hours for a two- or three-person canoe. Private guided tours and organised group tours are also available, with group tours starting from $30 per person. Monthly organised canoe and kayaking tours run throughout 2025. Life jackets are provided with all canoe hire; if paddlers bring their own craft, life jacket hire is available for $5. Canoes are launched between 9:30am and 2:00pm.

Enclosed shoes are mandatory for all paddlers. Sunscreen, a hat, light long-sleeved clothing, and insect repellent are strongly recommended. The activity is suitable for children aged four years and older; children 12 and under must be in a canoe with an adult, and those 16 and under must be supervised by a parent. Advance booking is not required for self-guided hire, though availability is subject to weather and other conditions, so calling ahead is advisable.

The creek has historical significance in the region, having been known to older Wallsend residents as "The Canal." Historically, residents maintained boat sheds along its banks, and the waterway connects to the Hunter River at Hexham. More recently, a 150-metre section of the creek near Wallsend has undergone re-naturalisation works, with approximately 9,000 native plants established to reduce erosion, restore habitat, and improve the creek's response to stormwater and flooding.

The paddling experience on Ironbark Creek is characterised by slow-moving wetland water, rainforest canopy overhead, and wildlife typical of the Hunter Wetlands environment, making it a suitable destination for paddlers seeking a calm, nature-focused outing rather than a technical or challenging paddle.