The suburb, which is primarily residential, includes a 182 ha (450-acre) nature reserve and a major regional sports centre.

The town was free of debt, and had a telegraph office, council chambers (erected at a cost of £550), the New Lambton Mechanics Institute, a reading room, fire brigade, public school, and "many signs of advancement".

[15] In 1938 an act of the Parliament of New South Wales created the "City of Greater Newcastle", which incorporated eleven municipalities, including New Lambton, into one local government area.

To the south, Carnley Avenue and Northcott Drive provide access to the City of Lake Macquarie suburbs.

The main entrances of the reserve, in Carnley Avenue and Freyberg Street, are approximately 8.8 km (5.5 mi) by road from the Newcastle CBD.

[2][18] Covering 182 hectares (450 acres), the reserve is mainly urban bushland, and includes nature trails, wildlife exhibits, children's playgrounds and recreational facilities.

The reserve, which is administered by the Newcastle City Council, has over 16 km (10 mi) of tracks meandering through open rainforest.

[12] There are four main picnic and recreational areas in the reserve, off different entry points: New Lambton includes several parks where various sports are played.