Newcastle Beaches Surf Swim and Relax

Newcastle Beaches

Newcastle has some amazing beaches within walking distance of the CBD, providing a relaxed place to enjoy a swim, walk or a quiet coffee.

Nobbys Beach

One of the many great beaches to be found around Newcastle, Nobbys is a great place to chill out and relax but still be almost in the city centre. Several car parks make staying here easy and the view from the harbour is amazing. There is a beach house and a surf club and ample grass areas to to sit on, you can also on the weekends see the nippers training. A kiosk serves coffee snack and a range of burgers so you can have a meal while watching the waves. A pavilion next to the kiosk gives great shade on a hot day but undercover seating is limited.

Nearby is a walk out to Nobbys Head and the breakwall which gives nice views of the harbour and the lighthouse. In the park next to the carpark is a memorial to Stockland and the European discovery of the area.

Just down from the kiosk is a memorial to the Pasha Bulker.

From Nobbys beach a walkway (Bathers Way) continues to Newcastle Beach or in the other direction to Queens Wharf.

Nobby's Beach From the Surf Pavilion — Nobby’s Beach From the Surf Pavilion

Nobby's Surf Life Saving Club — Nobby’s Beach From the Surf Pavilion

Horseshoe Beach

Sitting next to the Newcastle Break wall and accessed from the Nobbys carpark, Horseshoe Beach is a dog leash free area. The beach usually has numerous dogs running on the sand or swimming in the water. Therefore its not a place for people to swim but the dogs always seem to be enjoying themselves.

Low Tide Near the Breakwall at Horseshoe Beach — Horseshoe Beach From Nobbys Breakwall

The Cowrie Hole

Newcastle Beach

Running from the Newcastle Ocean baths to the Bogey hole Newcastle beach gives the city great access to a fantastic beach. There are a number of hotels located near the beach and there are several restaurants nearby so there is plenty of food choices for all occasions.

The Newcastle baths offer a safe swimming environment in the open air and sea water. There are change rooms with showers and a café serving coffee and snacks.

Between the baths and beach is a swimming pool for children allowing them to play in the water without the dangers of large waves.

Newcastle City Beach and Canoe Pool — Newcastle Ocean Baths

The Bogey Hole

The name “Bogey Hole” is said to come from the Dharawal word meaning “to bathe”. It was constructed sometime in the early 1820s and is now used as a public bathing hole. The ocean side is fenced by poles and chains, but can be dangerous in moderate swells when waves break into the bath.

Access to the Bogey Hole is by a well constructed steel step structure, but the rocks around the hole can be slippery. A great little spot for a dip on a warm day, or to just sit on the rocks and enjoy the view.

Waves Breaking Over the The Bogey Hole — The Bogey Hole Chain Fence

Bar Beach

Bar Beach Newcastle is an excellent place for a relaxing half day. It’s very easy to get to and has a nice large car park. The ANZAC Memorial Walk is to the north. Dixon Park Beach, Merewether Beach and the Ocean Baths are to the south. They are all connected by a foot/bike path, or you can walk along the beach.

Swell at Bar Beach Coffee Shop

There is a coffee shop at Bar Beach, Swell at Bar Beach. We usually buy a coffee and muffin here. On a busy day be prepared to wait for your order to be filled as it is very popular. While you wait, relax and watch the surf. There is plenty of undercover seating if it is too hot, or raining. We chose to sit down near the beach so that we could watch the waves roll in.

Susan Gilmore Beach

To the north of the beach is a rock platform and Susan Gilmore Beach. This area is not accessible at high tide. We walked over the rocks checking out the rock pools. Be careful of the green slime, it can be a bit slippery.

waves breaking over rocks with water pools in the foreground at Bar Beach Newcastle — Rock Platform at Bar Beach

The shells and rocks can also be quite sharp, so you might want to put some shoes/crocks back on when walking over them. Be aware though that your shoes will get wet.

Dixon Park Beach

Located between Bar and Merewether Beaches Dixon park has the same great location of the other two as well as Bar Beaches surf. During the year Dixon Park hosts Surfest Newcastle’s premiere surfing completion. The beach has a surf club with a café and car park. Bathers Way continues along the coast past Dixon Beach south to Merewether Baths.

Merewether Beach

We walked back along the beach to Merewether Ocean Baths. It’s about a 2km walk, but very relaxing on a nice day.

As you walk back, so can see surfers having fun on the waves. Look out to sea and you will see the coal ships waiting to come in to be loaded at the Port of Newcastle.

We walked back to Bar Beach on the pathway above the beaches. It’s very well laid out and there are also several places to stop for a meal or coffee along the way.

Redhead Beach

Our last stop heading north was Redhead Beach. This is a very popular Newcastle beach and has a big car park and facilities. The most striking feature, apart from the excellent beach is the old shark spotting tower perched on rocks in front of the club house.

if you want to read about beaches further south of Newcastle, please click here

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Newcastle Beaches Surf Swim and Relax