Newcastle Guidebook

Sightseeing

Anzac Memorial Bridge

97 locals recommend

Anzac Memorial Bridge

24 Memorial Dr

97 locals recommend

Strzelecki Scenic Lookout

At one end of the Anzac walk, hand gliders alight from the car park out over the sea

9 locals recommend

Strzelecki Scenic Lookout

28 Memorial Dr

9 locals recommend

At one end of the Anzac walk, hand gliders alight from the car park out over the sea

Newcastle Beach

Literally on the doorstep.

73 locals recommend

Newcastle Beach

73 locals recommend

Literally on the doorstep.

Merewether Ocean Bath

Newcastle is fortunate enough to have two ocean baths facilities, Newcastle and Merewether, that sit on its pristine coastline and are open year round for the community to enjoy. Newcastle Ocean and Merewether Baths both have a long history as popular swimming spots. Newcastle Ocean Baths was opened in 1922 and Merewether Baths in 1935. The Merewether Baths are open all year round, subject to maintenance and cleaning (USUALLY THURSDAYS) We clean, manage and maintain these facilities and always try to find the balance between availability and cleanliness. At present, Merewether Baths are cleaned weekly and the cleaning schedule is available at City of Newcastle website. Please Note: The Ocean Baths are closed ALL day on Scheduled cleaning days to allow adequate time for cleaning and maintenance to occur. The required times will vary dependent on weather conditions on the day. To find out more about Ocean Baths Cleaning check City of Newcastle website. Merewether Ocean Baths are cleaned every Thursday during the season. Cleaning may be altered if weather, surf, tidal or storm conditions are unsuitable. Lifeguard and changeroom hours Lifeguard on duty: 26 April 2022 to 23 September 2022 - 8am to 4.30pm 24 September 2022 to 23 April 2023 - 9am to 5.30pm Changerooms close at 7pm daily Newcastle Ocean Baths The revitalisation of the Newcastle Ocean Baths is underway, with stage one works to improve the safety, water quality and accessibility of the much-loved community facility. The Baths will be closed for the duration of the work, which is expected to be completed by mid-2023.

61 locals recommend

Merewether Ocean Bath

3a Ocean St

61 locals recommend

Newcastle is fortunate enough to have two ocean baths facilities, Newcastle and Merewether, that sit on its pristine coastline and are open year round for the community to enjoy. Newcastle Ocean and Merewether Baths both have a long history as popular swimming spots. Newcastle Ocean Baths was opened in 1922 and Merewether Baths in 1935. The Merewether Baths are open all year round, subject to maintenance and cleaning (USUALLY THURSDAYS) We clean, manage and maintain these facilities and always try to find the balance between availability and cleanliness. At present, Merewether Baths are cleaned weekly and the cleaning schedule is available at City of Newcastle website. Please Note: The Ocean Baths are closed ALL day on Scheduled cleaning days to allow adequate time for cleaning and maintenance to occur. The required times will vary dependent on weather conditions on the day. To find out more about Ocean Baths Cleaning check City of Newcastle website. Merewether Ocean Baths are cleaned every Thursday during the season. Cleaning may be altered if weather, surf, tidal or storm conditions are unsuitable. Lifeguard and changeroom hours Lifeguard on duty: 26 April 2022 to 23 September 2022 - 8am to 4.30pm 24 September 2022 to 23 April 2023 - 9am to 5.30pm Changerooms close at 7pm daily Newcastle Ocean Baths The revitalisation of the Newcastle Ocean Baths is underway, with stage one works to improve the safety, water quality and accessibility of the much-loved community facility. The Baths will be closed for the duration of the work, which is expected to be completed by mid-2023.

Bogey Hole

The Bogey Hole ocean pool is an Insta dream, and a 'must see' attraction on the Newcastle coastline. Impressive at full flight, or in a moment of calm, take a moment to enjoy the Bogey Hole next time you are in King Edward Park. The Bogey Hole was hand-hewn out of a wave-cut rock platform by convicts for Major James Morisset, in 1819 for his personal use. Whether this work represented the enlargement of a naturally occurring rock pool used by Aboriginal people is not known. As Morisset was the longest-serving Commandant of Newcastle, the pool was originally referred to as the 'Commandant's Baths'. The name 'Bogey Hole' came into regular usage sometime after, and is said to come from the Dharawal word meaning 'to bathe'. The Bogey Hole is situated at the foot of Shepherds Hill, or as it was known in the 1820's "sheep pasturage hill". Geologically, the rock in the area is sandstone/conglomerate typical of the coastal areas of the Hawkesbury Sandstone deposit on which Newcastle was built.

69 locals recommend

Bogey Hole

Shortland Esplanade

69 locals recommend

The Bogey Hole ocean pool is an Insta dream, and a 'must see' attraction on the Newcastle coastline. Impressive at full flight, or in a moment of calm, take a moment to enjoy the Bogey Hole next time you are in King Edward Park. The Bogey Hole was hand-hewn out of a wave-cut rock platform by convicts for Major James Morisset, in 1819 for his personal use. Whether this work represented the enlargement of a naturally occurring rock pool used by Aboriginal people is not known. As Morisset was the longest-serving Commandant of Newcastle, the pool was originally referred to as the 'Commandant's Baths'. The name 'Bogey Hole' came into regular usage sometime after, and is said to come from the Dharawal word meaning 'to bathe'. The Bogey Hole is situated at the foot of Shepherds Hill, or as it was known in the 1820's "sheep pasturage hill". Geologically, the rock in the area is sandstone/conglomerate typical of the coastal areas of the Hawkesbury Sandstone deposit on which Newcastle was built.

King Edward Park

King Edward Park was dedicated as a recreation reserve in 1863. Within the grounds was a bowling green and the Obelisk, built as a navigational marker in 1850; the focal point is a Victorian rotunda. The park has spectacular ocean views, Norfolk Island pines and a sunken garden usually ablaze of colour. On the southern boundary are the remains of the Shepherds Hill Battery and Gunner's Cottage which were in regular use from 1890 to World War II. The park also has links with Newcastle's penal past, with the Bogey Hole (or convict hewn ocean bathing pool) at the foot of the eastern cliff face. A popular place for family picnics and barbecues, and now a movie venue in summer. The park also has a playground and public toilets.

52 locals recommend

King Edward Park

Reserve Road

52 locals recommend

King Edward Park was dedicated as a recreation reserve in 1863. Within the grounds was a bowling green and the Obelisk, built as a navigational marker in 1850; the focal point is a Victorian rotunda. The park has spectacular ocean views, Norfolk Island pines and a sunken garden usually ablaze of colour. On the southern boundary are the remains of the Shepherds Hill Battery and Gunner's Cottage which were in regular use from 1890 to World War II. The park also has links with Newcastle's penal past, with the Bogey Hole (or convict hewn ocean bathing pool) at the foot of the eastern cliff face. A popular place for family picnics and barbecues, and now a movie venue in summer. The park also has a playground and public toilets.

Fort Scratchley

Fort Scratchley, a former coastal defence installation, is now a museum. It is located in Newcastle East. It was built in 1882 to defend the city against a possible Russian attack. However, its guns were not fired in anger until 8 June 1942, during the shelling of Newcastle. The Australian Army left the site in 1972.

103 locals recommend

Fort Scratchley

3 Nobbys Rd

103 locals recommend

Fort Scratchley, a former coastal defence installation, is now a museum. It is located in Newcastle East. It was built in 1882 to defend the city against a possible Russian attack. However, its guns were not fired in anger until 8 June 1942, during the shelling of Newcastle. The Australian Army left the site in 1972.