Beaches
Newcastle has a reputation for being one of the best surfing locations in Australia. Surfing, body boarding and swimming are very popular activities.
Download the 2012/2013 Newcastle Beaches, Ocean Baths & Pools brochure. (462Kb)
Facilities
You will find that there are public amenities, shade shelters, parking, access for people with a disability, picnic areas, BBQ's and kiosks all along Newcastle's beaches stretch.
Nobbys Beach and Newcastle Ocean Baths offer on-site lockers for beach users in order to keep personal belongings safe. It is recommended that you bring a combination lock with you in order to secure your locker and not require a key.
Facilities at each beach and ocean baths location are as follows:
|
Access for people with a disability |
Accessible toilets |
Parking |
Picnic area |
Toilets & showers |
Kiosk |
Shade shelters |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nobbys Beach | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Newcastle Beach | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Bar Beach | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Dixon Park Beach | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Merewether Beach | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Stockton Beach | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Newcastle Ocean Baths | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Merewether Ocean Baths | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | X | √ |
Beach safety
It is important you are aware of the dangers and risks present at the beach you decide to use. The Australian Beach Safety & Management Program (ABSAMP) have rated Newcastle's beaches on a national rating index. Safety Ratings for Newcastle's beaches appear below.
Please ask the lifeguard on duty if you are in any doubt about swimming or surfing conditions - they are there to help you.
|
Rating (ABSAMP) |
Explanation |
|
|---|---|---|
| Nobbys Beach |
6 |
Nobbys is considered the safest swimming beach of all Council beaches and is open all year round |
| Newcastle Beach |
7 |
Newcastle ¡s most accessible and popular beach but also one of its most hazardous ¨C take care |
| Bar Beach, Dixon Park Beach & Merewether Beach |
6 to 7 |
A popular but potentially hazardous stretch of beach owing to the prevailing beach and headland rips. Watch for the rips and swim between the flags |
| Stockton |
7 |
Take caution, particularly in the centre and north, outside the flags |
Beach safety tips
- Always swim and surf at places patrolled by lifesavers or lifeguards
- Always swim between the red and yellow flags
- Always swim under supervision or with a friend
- Read and obey safety signs, such as shallow water or large drop-offs
- If you are unsure of conditions, ask a lifesaver or lifeguard
- Don't swim or surf directly after a meal
- Don't swim or surf under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Never run or dive in the water, even if you have checked beforehand as water conditions can change
- If you have trouble in the water, stay calm, float with a current or undertow, don't try to swim against it, signal for help and wait for assistance.
Beach conditions
Visit our beach conditions webpage for up to date details. Tune into Radio 2HD on frequency 1143 at 8:30am and 3:30pm during daylight savings for the latest information on beach conditions for swimmers and beach goers.
Water quality
Council monitors four swimming sites on a weekly basis from October to April, Merewether and Newcastle Ocean Baths, Merewether learners pool and the Canoe Pool. Merewether and Newcastle Ocean Baths are also sampled weekly during the winter season (May to September). The Office of Environment and Heritage keep a record of the results. You can also find out about tides by visiting the tide times website .
The water quality of Newcastle beaches is also tested regularly through the Hunter Water Beachwatch program and the results are available on the Hunter Water website.
Contact us
City Administration Centre
282 King Street
Newcastle NSW 2300
Tel: 02 4974 2000