It seems rude not to write a post on beaches after spending the Christmas period enjoying some of the best beaches that the Hunter region has to offer. Plenty of people live and holiday in strata-title close to beaches, so it’s definitely a relevant topic!
Within 1 hour of the Newcastle CBD, you have 40+ beaches to visit (is there anywhere else in the world where you have the beach variety?)- from the Central Coast to Lake Macquarie, through Newcastle, north to Stockton, Port Stephens and Tea Gardens. There’s swimming, surfing, sunbathing, snorkelling, water sports, sandcastle building and a range of other recreation activities.
We went no less than 10 beaches over the 16 days of holidays in Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, and Newcastle. That is but a drop in the ocean of the total number of beaches given that Port Stephens alone has over 20 beaches.
Here are a few of my favourites (one from each of the coastal Hunter region Local Government Areas) and all my own photos.
Birubi Beach
Located in Port Stephens in Anna Bay, Birubi is the at the northern end of Stockton Beach.
The water is turquoise, it’s great for pitching an umbrella on, kids love it as there is plenty to see and do exploring the rocks and it’s easy/free to park and get a shower as you leave. Birubi is a leisurely 45-minute drive from Newcastle and you can stop for a meal and a beer at Murrays or Valhalla on the way home.
Bar Beach
Bar Beach is the northernmost beach on the 1.3km stretch of sand which includes Merewether and Dixon Park Beaches.
We went to Bar Beach repeatedly throughout the break. It’s easy and free to park at, quick to get onto the beach (no long trudge over hot sand) and has a great cafe and facilities. Once on the beach, you have surf to the right and then a sand bar which is above water at very low tide and otherwise underwater and a great safe place to swim. On the left, there is a man-made tidal pool which is perfect for kids.
Bar Beach is one of the best beaches you will find this close to density, anywhere.
Redhead
Redhead reminds me of the beautiful Port Stephens Beaches (without needing to go to Port Stephens to get there). Endless sand and waves and a great coastal shelf allowing you to get out in the surf without it being too deep. Whilst it can be rough, it’s well patrolled (swim between the flags!) and nearly always great for swimming. It can be prone to sharks, but that’s largely a concern for the surfers – they’re further out!
Parking at Redhead is plentiful and free and the facilities/cafe are great. There’s also an awesome SLSC which is open to the public for drinks and live music of a Sunday during summer. They also occasionally do markets in the car park behind the SLSC.
The beaches in the Hunter region are stunning – there’s so many to check out and each has its own unique characteristics. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of beaches to check out over summer:
Lake Macquarie –
https://www.visitlakemac.com.au/see-and-do/beaches-and-swim-spots/beaches
Caves Beach – check out the caves and Caves Coastal Bar and Bungalows
Redhead Beach
Dudley Beach – The Royal Crown Hotel is a must-visit if going to Dudley.
Catherine Hill Bay – Amazing historical area, formerly a coal-mining town.
Blacksmiths Beach – The other end of Redhead which isn’t quite as good (I haven’t been there so this isn’t an educated opinion!).
Nine Mile Beach – between Redhead and Blacksmiths – known for 4wding.
Burwood Beach (in the amazing Glenrock State Conservation area) – desolate and unspoilt.
Port Stephens
https://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/play/recreation-in-port-stephens/beaches-and-foreshores
Box Beach
Zenith Beach
Fingal Bay
One Mile Beach
Samurai Beach
Shoal Bay – stunning beach albeit very small at high tide, check out Shoal Bay Country Club when there.
Boat Harbour Beach – personal favourite as we have holidayed there since I was young.
Kingsley – Tiny surf beach – it’s a stunner.
Fishermans Bay
Taylors Beach
Little Beach – Little Beach boathouse is a must visit
Fly Point
Dutchmans Beach
Newcastle LGA
Newcastle Beach – an amazing piece of sand in the middle of the CBD. Check out the SLSC Sunday arvo for drinks. $3 drinks at 3pm!
Stockton Beach – Australia’s longest coastal dune system stretching from Newcastle Harbour to Anna Bay, it has the largest continuous mobile dune system in the Southern Hemisphere.
Nobbys – stunning beach right in the CBD with free parking and again, check out the SLSC on a Sunday.
Horseshoe Beach – On the harbour – dog beach
Glenrock Beach
Susan Gilmore – only accessible at low tide – once a beach for rogue nudists I’m told…
Bar Beach/Dixon Park/Merewether – one of the best stretches of sand in Australia. Check out all the venues along it – Cooks Hill surf club, Bar Beach Bowling Club, Merewether SLSC, Merewether Surfhouse and the Beach Hotel.
Bogey Hole – not a beach but you gotta check it out – rock pool built into the cliff by convicts.
