Best of Newcastle
Best Beaches in Newcastle: Merewether, Nobby's and the Coast Walk
Newcastle's coastline has a chain of surf beaches stretching from Nobbys Beach at the river mouth south through Newcastle Beach, Bar Beach and Dixon Park to the expansive Merewether Beach, the city's largest. Most are patrolled by surf lifesaving clubs in season, with flags marking the recommended swimming zones. Linking them is the Bathers Way, a clifftop and foreshore walk between Nobbys Beach and Merewether that passes two heritage ocean pools, the Newcastle Ocean Baths and the Merewether Ocean Baths, as well as the Memorial Walk on the Strzelecki headland above Bar Beach. Newcastle Beach sits at the CBD end of the walk and is easily reached by the Newcastle Light Rail and bus. The full walk takes about two to three hours return at a leisurely pace; you can also start at either end for a shorter stretch. North of the harbour, Stockton Beach runs on to the Stockton Bight sand dunes, which NSW National Parks describes as the largest moving coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.
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1
Newcastle Beach
The city's main beach, directly east of the CBD, with patrolled swimming, the heritage ocean baths and direct access by light rail from the station.
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2
Merewether Beach
A large surfing beach south of the CBD, with the heritage Merewether Ocean Baths, a popular kiosk and consistent swell suited to beginner and intermediate surfers.
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3
Bar Beach
A patrolled beach between Merewether and Newcastle, popular with locals for its reliable surf and lower crowds than the main Newcastle Beach.
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4
Stockton Beach
A long sand spit north of Newcastle Harbour, reached by ferry from Queens Wharf, bordered by the Stockton Bight dunes, described by NSW National Parks as the largest moving coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.
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5
Nobby's Beach
A short beach at the northern end of the Bather's Way walk, with the historic Nobby's Lighthouse on the breakwater headland.
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6
Dixon Park Beach
A patrolled family beach between Bar Beach and Merewether and a rest point along the Bathers Way coastal walk.
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7
Dudley Beach
A surf beach backed by the bushland of Glenrock State Conservation Area, reached through the suburb of Dudley south of the city.
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8
Redhead Beach
A patrolled surf beach south of Newcastle with a surf life saving club, at the northern end of the long Nine Mile Beach.
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