The 3,337-hectare (8,250-acre) national park is located to the north, east and south of the town of Cessnock (the park is separated into three distinct but closely located sections: near Abermain, near Kearsley and near Kitchener/Abernethy).

The national park lies within the Hunter Valley Important Bird Area.

[2] South of the national park is the separate Werakata State Conservation Area.

[3] Originally called Lower Hunter National Park,[4] the Werakata National Park was created in January 1999 with land that had previously been part of the 1,130-hectare (2,800-acre) Cessnock State Forest (State Forest No.

The Hunter region was inhabited by the Awabakal, Worimi, Wonnarua, Geawegal, Birrpai and Darkinjung Aboriginal tribes, although little is known about Aboriginal use of the area in the vicinity of the park.