The Bathers Way is a 6km inner-city coastal walk in Newcastle. This beautiful coastal walk stretches along our scenic coastline from Nobbys Headland in the north to Merewether Baths to the south. It’s also the end point of the Great North Walk, a 250km walk from Sydney to Newcastle.
It’s a great walk to do either in one go or in different sections depending on the age of accompanying kids. Along the way, there’s shade shelters, cafes, seating and viewing platforms. Bring your swimmers, there’s plenty of places to go for a dip if you need to cool off.
With wide shared paths in certain sections, there’s plenty of room for scooters, kids bikes and skateboards along The Bathers Way.
Some people prefer to start The Bathers Way at Merewether and head north. We prefer to start at Nobbys Beach to avoid the steep hill along Memorial Drive from Bar Beach to Strezlecki Point.
Nobby’s Lighthouse
One end of Bather’s Walk is at Nobby’s Lighthouse and it’s where we’ve chosen to start the walk.
This is the end of Macquarie Pier, a 1km stretch along the breakwall. Watch the coal ships glide in and out of the harbour under the watch of the hard-working tug boats
Built in 1858 Nobby’s Lighthouse still operates, having been converted to run automatically in 1935. The Nobbys Headland site is open on weekends from 8am to 4pm and makes a fun excursion. Nobbys Headland is one of Newcastle’s best vantage points, with 360-degree views of the city, the working harbour and our stunning coastline.
From here, you’ll walk back towards the Nobbys Surf Life Saving Club
Nobbys Beach
One of Newcastle’s favourite beaches, Nobbys Beach is patrolled year-round so head out for a swim. You can also stop at the Art Deco cafe for a drink or snack and enjoy the sweep of this golden beach.
From here, you’ll walk south. Look for this oversized red sculpture.This is “Grounded” marks the anniversary of the grounding of the MV Pasha Bulker, a 225m bulk carrier which ran aground on Nobbys Beach during a severe storm in June 2007.
Keep walking along this path and you’ll see Soldiers Bath made out of a rough semi-circle of rocks at the southern end of Nobbys Beach. It’s named after the soldiers from nearby Fort Scratchley who used to bathe there. It’s a top spot for snorkelling.
This shallow rock pool is a great spot to snorkel with kids. Protected by the waves, there’s a myriad of sea life in this pool. From schools of fish to starfish, there’s plenty to see.
Further along, you’ll come to the Cowrie Hole, just before Newcastle Ocean Baths. This is a popular surf break.
Newcastle Ocean Baths
If you don’t want to swim in the ocean, go for a dip at the newly refurbished Newcastle Ocean Baths. With its Art Deco facade, Newcastle Ocean Baths is an iconic swimming spot with lifeguard services provided 7 days a week all year round.
Next to the Ocean Baths is the Canoe Pool. For families with little ones, a visit to the Canoe Pool in Newcastle is a must on a warm day.
This shallow bathing spot near Newcastle Beach is a wonderful place to splash around with babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
Newcastle Beach
At this point, you can take the low path along to Newcastle Beach or climb up the steps to Shortland Esplanade for a higher vantage point as you walk to Newcastle Beach. Either way, you’ll have great views of this city beach.
As you head south to South Newcastle Beach, you’ll spot seating area, toilets, a kiosk and a skate park. Opened in August 2024 along Bathers Way pathway, South Newcastle Beach Skate Park is on two levels.
On the top level is the $1.8 million skate park. It features two sections. There’s the inclusive skate bowl, which is the Hunter’s first wheelchair-accessible (WCMX) skate bowl.
There’s also a terrain park for skaters, scooters and riders including wheelchair athletes of all skill levels, providing an alternative to the advanced-level facilities at nearby Empire Park.
King Edward Park
From South Newcastle Beach, you walk up the path to King Edward Park. The views as you head up the hill are fantastic so take the time to turn around and look back to Newcastle Beach.
King Edward Park is an iconic spot in Newcastle and a favourite of many local families. It’s a beautiful park with a lovely big lawn and Victorian rotunda.
It also is a historical site having been dedicated as a recreation reserve in 1863. As well as ocean views, lots of shade and grassy areas, there is also a playground in King Edward Park with play equipment to suit different age groups.
You can also walk down to the Bogey Hole, a swimming hole that’s also in King Edward Park.
Constructed in 1819 to 1820, the Bogey Hole is a favourite with tourists and locals alike.
The Bogey Hole was built by convict labour by order of Commandant Morisset who served as Commandant of Newcastle from 1819 to 1822.
Shepherds Hill
Just up the hill from King Edward Park is Shepherds Hill, a former military complex which dates back to the late 1800s. This spot was a crucial link in Newcastle’s coastal defence system during World War II. Although the site was decommissioned, the concrete observation post is still there. From here, you have great views up and down the coast. It’s also a great spot for whalewatching.
At the rear of Shepherds Hill is the old Maritime Rescue building which will shortly be turned into a cafe.
Strezlecki Point & Anzac Memorial Walk
Keep walking from Shepherds Hill and you’ll come to Strezlecki Lookout, located on top of Memorial Drive. This high point is a popular spot for hang gliders and tourists alike. On a windy day, watch as hang gliders run off the cliffs to catch the thermals.
This is the start of the Anzac Memorial Walk. Not only does this 450 metre long clifftop walkway boast amazing ocean and city views, it’s a poignant tribute to local men and women who enlisted during World War 1. (Please note: dogs are prohibited along the Anzac Memorial Walk. To get to Bar Beach with your dog, you’ll need to go along Memorial Drive).
The Anzac walk features steel silhouettes of Anzac soldiers engraved with 3,860 family names of almost 11,000 known Newcastle and Hunter Valley men and women who enlisted during World War I.
Up until this point on Bather’s Way, the trail is accessible. The Anzac Memorial Walk is pram and wheelchair accessible from the Strzelecki Lookout section enabling you to travel all the way to the viewing platform before looping back to the car park.
From here, you can go down the series of clifftop steps linking it to the Bather’s Way on Memorial Drive and head down to Bar Beach.
Pods of dolphins regularly swim from Newcastle Beach to Merewether. You can often see them frolicking in the waves with the surfers. From May to November, it’s whale watching season. Keep an eye out for the tell-tale blow of water into the air. Best vantage points include the Anzac Memorial Walk and Bar Beach.
Bar Beach
Bar Beach is roughly the midway point of Bather’s Way and there’s plenty to do at this spot. If you feel like a swim, venture out between the flags at Bar Beach or splash around in the sheltered rockpool at the northern end,a popular spot for families.
Past the SLSC, you’ll see lots of covered shelters with great views of Bar Beach. Keep an eye out for the dolphin pod that swims between Bar Beach and Merewether.
Bring skateboards, scooters or tennis rackets and balls. If your kids or teens want a break from walking, head across the street to Empire Park. Take them for a skate at Empire Park skate bowl, a popular skateboarding venue or play tennis at the neighbouring hit wall. There’s also the Empire Park playground which is great for kids under 5.
Meal break: If you’ve worked up an appetite, grab some hand-cut chips from the Bar Beach kiosk.
Dixon Park
From Bar Beach, walk south up and over the headland to Dixon Park. It’s a short steep walk but you’ll be rewarded with views south over Dixon Park Beach and Merewether Beach. If you feel like a rest, there are picnic tables and a bubbler at the top of the hill.
Walk down the hill past Dixon Park Beach Surf Club and you’ll see a large grassed area and parking lot, Dixon Park. It’s a the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the ocean views while your child plays in the fenced Dixon Park playground. You can also go for a swim at Dixon Park Beach when it’s patrolled.
Coffee Break: Stop at Sunnyboyz Kiosk located behind the surf club.
Merewether Beach
From Dixon Park, it’s a wide path towards Merewether Beach.
Continue along the walk and you’ll come to Merewether Beach, one of only nine national surfing reserves in NSW and home to Surfest, an international surfing competition.
If you feel like a swim, swim between the flags at patrolled Merewether Beach.
Coffee Break: Stop at Blue Door located in front of Merewether Surf Club
Merewether Ocean Baths
You’ll finish Bathers Walk at the most southern point of the walk, Merewether Ocean Baths. This iconic historical swimming complex boasts the largest ocean pool in the Southern Hemisphere.
Open all year round, these pools are a top spot for a family swim. Merewether Baths has a shallow area that’s perfect for babies and younger kids to splash around. Just check the cleaning schedule.
Good to Know
- There are toilet amenities at Nobbys SLSC, Newcastle Ocean Baths, Newcastle SLSC, South Newcastle Beach, King Edward Park, Bar Beach SLSC, Dixon Park SLSC and Merewether SLSC.
- Free parking is available at Nobbys Beach, Bar Beach, Dixon Park and Merewether.
- If you want to park the car at one end of the Bathers Way, you can do the walk to Merewether and catch the 21 bus at Watkins Street back to Customs House (a short walk from Nobbys Beach). Check the Newcastle Transport timetable for up to date transit information.
- You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches along Bathers Way. Choose from
- Merewether Beach and Ocean Baths, Dixon Park Beach, Bar Beach, Newcastle Beach and Ocean Baths or Nobbys Beach. All beaches are patrolled during the summer surfing season from end of September until end of April while Nobbys, Bar Beach, Merewether Ocean Baths and Newcastle Ocean Baths are patrolled all year round.
- Pods of dolphins regularly swim from Newcastle Beach to Merewether. You can often see them frolicking in the waves with the surfers. From May to November, it’s whale watching season. Keep an eye out for the tell-tale blow of water into the air. Best vantage points include Bar Beach and Anzac Memorial Walk.
- Whether it’s dawn or dusk watching the sun rise or set over Bathers Way is something special.
- For more information, visit The Bathers Way website or The Great North Walk website.
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