Four Best Beaches in Newcastle
Visiting Australia’s second oldest city without seeing its beaches is like bringing coal to Newcastle – totally pointless.
Life in Newcastle – one of the very few cities in the world hemmed by sea - revolves around the beach. Novocastrians are either coming, going or thinking about when they’ll next get to the beach. Surf apps are big here.
Chances are you’ve come to see Newcastle’s beaches too. There’s six in total including 29 surf breaks. To help you find your patch of sand we’ve hand-picked our top four beaches in Newcastle.
Newcastle Beach
Bare-chested surfers boards tucked beneath their arms trot home from a surf. Girls with wet locks cycle the narrow streets of Newcastle East’s historic east end while passengers board the Light Rail with sandy toes.
The city’s most accessible beach and an easy walk or light rail ride from Crystalbrook Kingsley (alight at the end of the line), Newcastle Beach is where the city meets the sand – literally. With the newly refurbished historic ocean baths at one end; the iconic Bogey Hole the other, it’s undoubtedly Newcastle’s busiest stretch of sand.
Image Credit: Destination NSW
Watch local surfers leap from the rocks near the Canoe Pool and paddle out for a wave behind Shark Alley (surfers particularly love Newcastle when there’s a Nor’easter). Swimmers dive beneath waves washing off the stress of the day, while the CrossFit crew arrive at first light to work out with a backdrop of rolling waves.
Merewether Beach, Newcastle
Home to Australia’s largest festival of surfing (Surfest), Merewether didn’t get its national surfing reserve status for nothing. This magic stretch of Newcastle coastline is home to Merewether Surfboard Club, Australia’s most successful board riders club with the world titles to back it up. It’s where four-time world surfing champion Mark Richards and surfers Luke Egan and Matt Hoy honed their craft. Ryan Callinan, currently ranked in the top 20, also hails from this iconic surf beach in Newcastle. On big wave days crowds flock to Merewether Point to watch surfers taking on monster swells.
Image Credit: Destination NSW
It’s also home to the Merewether Ocean Baths found at the far south of the beach. This beautiful and historic gem is the southern hemisphere’s largest ocean baths and an Instagrammers dream. Be sure to visit the rooftop bar of the Merewether Surf House and drink it all in (excuse the pun).
Bar Beach, Newcastle
An absolute head turner, Bar Beach lies between Newcastle to the north and Dixon Beach to the south. It’s home to the Cooks Hill Surf Lifesaving Club and some of Newcastle’s most expensive real estate.
You can drive to Bar Beach in Newcastle (and amazingly, park for free) but an unforgettable way to arrive is on foot via the 450m cliff Anzac Memorial Walk descending at the opposite end to the beach below. Particularly beautiful at sunset, panoramic ocean vistas with the spectacular sweep of Bar Beach bookended by craggy cliffs await. Take a dip with Newcastle locals or make your way to the secluded Susan Gilmore Beach (allegedly a nudist beach) which lies below the cliff at the beach’s northern end.
Image Credit: Destination NSW
On a balmy summer’s night join the locals for a picnic on the grassy hill overlooking Bar Beach. Seriously, it doesn’t get any better.
Nobby’s Beach, Newcastle
Last on the list of Newcastle’s best beaches is Nobby's Beach, a captivating coastal haven that holds its own unique charm. Sitting adjacent to the iconic Nobby’s Headland and its 19th-century lighthouse, this Newcastle beach offers a blend of natural beauty and historical significance.
A favourite amongst beginner surfers and local families keen for a dip, Nobby's Beach is conveniently located minutes from town. With its golden sands stretching out against the backdrop of the headland, this beach is an inviting spot for both locals and visitors, perfect for leisurely walks, sun-soaked afternoons, and memorable beachside moments in Newcastle.
Accommodation near Newcastle Beaches
Crystalbrook Kingsley, just a stone's throw away from iconic Newcastle beaches like Merewether Beach, Bar Beach and Newcastle Beach, ensures you're never far from the sun, sand, and surf. This sophisticated Newcastle hotel is perfectly positioned on King Street, offering sustainably considered luxury accommodation, deluxe amenities, and a spectacular rooftop bar and restaurant.