With a playground, amenities and a café nearby, the quiet and spacious Stockton Beach is one of our favourite beaches for a family day out. Protected from southerly swells, it’s also one of Newcastle’s safest beaches. If you haven’t visited before, now’s the time to make the trip ‘overseas’ for a family day at the beach.
Good to Know
- Address: Pitt Street, Stockton NSW 2295
- Cost: Free entry
- Patrolled: Yes, from September to April by council lifeguards and volunteers from Stockton Surf Life Saving Club, established in 1908
- Toilets & Showers: Yes
- Shade: No, bring a beach shelter or umbrella
- Parking: Large, free car park, though it can fill up on Sunday mornings during nipper season (October to March)
- Picnic Area: Yes, undercover and open picnic tables
- Kiosk: No, but Lexie’s on the Beach is right at the beach entrance
- Accessibility: A beach wheelchair is available, kept in the lifeguard room
- Nearest Playground: A small playground between the Surf Club and Bowling Club, plus Rawson Park Playground opposite the car park
At the southern end of Newcastle Bight, Stockton Beach stretches for approximately 32km to Anna Bay in Port Stephens, and the view back along that seemingly endless stretch of sand is genuinely stunning.
Swimming & Safety
The flags are usually set up on the stretch of beach between Stockton Surf Club and Lexie’s on the Beach café, with plenty of space for kids to swim, splash and play.
The smaller, gentler waves at this end of the beach are generally safe for kids to bodyboard and surf.
It’s not uncommon to see dolphins swimming close to shore here, a real highlight for kids. Stingrays can also frequent these waters, so if you spot one, stay well away and don’t approach it. When the north-easterlies blow, bluebottles can show up too, so keep an eye out for warning signs on the beach.
Facilities and Parking
You’ll usually find a park in the large, free car park. Sunday mornings from about 9am can get busy during nipper season (October to March), so if you don’t mind a short walk, on-street parking is generally available a little further away.
When the kids are ready for a change of scenery, Rawson Park Playground sits on the opposite side of the car park, with swings, slides, climbing equipment and more. Right next to it, you’ll find covered picnic tables and a gas barbecue.
Food and Drink
Heading to or from the beach? Make The Gladdy part of your Stockton day, a relaxed, family-friendly spot for a proper meal, great coffee or a post-swim catch-up, with room for the kids to play while you unwind.
There are other options too. Stockton Bowling Club is within walking distance, and Lexie’s on the Beach has beautiful views from both its indoor and outdoor tables, plus takeaway if you’d rather eat your hot chips on the sand.
Nearby for Families
There’s plenty more to explore around Stockton. Walk the Shipwreck Walk, let the kids loose at Stockton Active Hub, swim laps at Stockton Swimming Centre (open September to April), cycle the Stockton Foreshore, walk across Stockton Bridge or explore the Stockton Sand Dunes in a 4WD.
If you enjoy caravanning or camping, the NRMA Stockton Beach Holiday Park is just metres from the beach and makes a great base to explore this part of Newcastle. It’s also seasonally pet-friendly.
FAQs
Yes, from September to April, by council lifeguards and volunteers from Stockton Surf Life Saving Club.
Yes, it’s considered one of Newcastle’s safest beaches, protected from southerly swells, with the flagged area between the surf club and Lexie’s on the Beach offering gentler waves suited to kids.
Yes, a large free car park, though it can be busy on Sunday mornings during nipper season. On-street parking is usually available a short walk away
Yes, a small playground sits between the Surf Club and Bowling Club, and Rawson Park Playground is on the opposite side of the car park.
Yes, a beach wheelchair is kept in the lifeguard room and available for use.