Four Best Newcastle Beaches
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 one of Newcastle’s epic beaches. Surf apps are big here.
Chances are you’ve come to see Newcastle’s beaches too. There’s six beaches in total, including 29 surf breaks. To help you find your patch of sand, we’ve hand-picked our top four Newcastle beaches.
Newcastle Beach
Bare-chested surfers, boards tucked beneath their arms, trot home from a surf at Newcastle Beach. Girls with wet locks cycle the narrow streets of Newcastle East’s historic east end while travellers board the Light Rail with sandy toes, heading back to their stylish Newcastle accommodation.
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, and the iconic Bogey Hole on the other, it’s undoubtedly Newcastle’s busiest beach.
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 Beach 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 and a Newcastle sunrise.
Merewether Beach, Newcastle
Home to Australia’s largest festival of surfing (Surfest), Merewether—a legend among Newcastle beaches—didn’t get its national surfing reserve status for nothing. This magic stretch of 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 Newcastle surf beach. 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 Beach 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 Bar 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 for the ultimate Newcastle beach experience. 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 Newcastle’s buzzing town centre. With its golden sands stretching out against the backdrop of the headland, this Newcastle 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, Nobby’s 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. Did we mention ocean views from select rooms and the rooftop dining venues, Romberg’s and Roundhouse?