Beach Safety: Beachsafe is an online beach safety portal for all Australians and visitors. - Bar

Bar, Bar Beach

Nsw 2300
Sharks Bluebottles Littoral currents, Flash rips Heavy shorebreak High surf, Large unexpected waves Gutters

Toilets Toilets Disabled Toilets Dressing shed Showers
Rock pool Rock pool
Kiosk BBQ Picnic Shade Shelters Artificial shade
Power supply Power supply
Mobile Phone Coverage Parking Bus
No Littering No Vehicles No Alcohol No Cats or Dogs No Dogs Allowed No Glass
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PATROLLED BEACH

Beach number: nsw245A
State/Region: NSW - Bar Beach
Beach name: BAR
General Beach Hazard Rating: 7
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
Beach

The most popular beach in Newcastle is Bar-Dixon Park-Merewether beach, a 1.3 km long exposed southeast-facing beach that hosts three surf lifesaving clubs (Fig. 4.141 & 4.142). The beach is bordered by Bar Rocks in the north and the Merewether rocks and rock pool to the south. The surf clubs divide the beach into three sections. In the north is Bar Beach (NSW 245a), which is patrolled by the Cooks Hill SLSC. The beachfront club sits on slopes overlooking the beach and is backed by Memorial Drive then a park and oval. Dixon Park beach (NSW 245b) occupies the centre with the Dixon Park SLSC located on 20 m high slopes and backed by Dixon Park, with beachfront houses to either side. The southern Merewether Beach (NSW 245c) extends south to the beginning of a 1.5 km long rocky section of shore. The Merewether SLSC is located at the southern end at the base of slope, with houses behind. The entire beach is surrounded by long established inner Newcastle suburbs and has good road and bus access, with large car parks adjacent to the three surf clubs. In addition two rock pools are located on the rock platform at Merewether. The surf clubs were formed in 1911, 1932 and 1910 respectively, attesting to both the long popularity of this beach and its inherent swimming hazards. A shark attack at Merewether Beach in 1907 hastened the formation of the surf patrols in 1908. The first surf carnival in the area was held on the beach in March that year.

The entire beach receives waves averaging 1.6 m and is bounded by 50 m high cliffs fronted by wide rock platforms. Rocks and reefs also occur in the surf at either end and at places along the beach, and are exposed following beach erosion. The waves and sand produce a beach characterised by a bar usually cut by 4-5 beach rips with permanent rips at either end, the northern at Cooks Hill being the more prominent. Higher waves break on an outer bar and the northern and southern reefs, the latter called 'The Ladies'.

 

Swimming

A popular but potentially hazardous beach owing to the prevailing beach and headland rips. The three surf clubs preform numerous rescues each year. So be careful and stay between the flags and away from the ever-present rip currents. If unsure swim in the rock pool.

 

Surfing

This is the home beach of four time World Surfing Champion Mark Richards and the site of international surf contests. The beach offers good beach breaks particularly on the outer bar during moderate swell, and when its bigger The Ladies reef at Merewether produces good rights up to 3 m and will hold a south-east swell up to 5 m.

 

Fishing

Permanent gutters run out past the rocks at each end, with usually several good gutters along the beach.

 

Carpark

Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 250

 

If this information is inaccurate, please click on the contact us link and advise

 

SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.

Weather
Today
 
18°
wind
SE/11 km/h
 
  • Thu
    20°
    11°
  • Fri
    20°
    11°
  • Sat
    20°
    10°
  • Sun
    19°
    11°
  • Mon
    20°
    12°
  • Tue
    21°
    12°
NOBBYS HEAD (4 km) issued at 19:00 (EST)
Water
22
Issued at Thu, May 17 13:01
Swell Forecast
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
  • AM
  • PM
  • AM
  • PM
  • AM
  • SSE
    1.3 m
  • SSE
    1.1 m
  • SSE
    0.9 m
  • SSE
    0.8 m
  • SSE
    0.7 m
Bar Beach issued at Thu, May 17 16:00 (EST)
 
Today's Tide
  • High
    5:46
    1.41m
  • Low
    11:41
    0.60m
  • High
    18:15
    1.68m
 
issued at Thu, May 17 10:00 (Local Time)
UV Index
3
 

Cooks Hill SLSC

Organisation Colours Red- White- Blue

Club Cap Description Red and Blue with White Stripe

Physical Address Memorial Drive, Bar Beach, NSW, 2300

Postal Address PO Box 3262, Merewether, NSW, 2291

Phone 4925 2828

Email secretary@cookshillsurfclub.com.au

Website cookshillsurfclub.com.au

Beach Name of location of organisation Bar Beach

Beach Key of base location nsw245A


 

Newcastle City Council Lifeguard Service

Postal Address PO Box 489, Newcastle, NSW, 2300

Phone 0249742000

Beach Name of location of organisation Bar Beach

Beach Key of base location NSW245

*Although SLSA has tried to ensure that this information is accurate, as it has been provided by surf life saving club(s) and/or other organisations, SLSA takes no responsibility for its accuracy. Please contact the entity(s) displayed directly if you need any further information. .

Cooks Hill SLSC

24 September to 25 April
  • Sat
  • Sun/PH
  • 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:00 pm



Newcastle City Council Lifeguard Service

26 April to 06 May
  • Mon
  • Tues
  • Wed
  • Thurs
  • Fri
  • Sat
  • Sun/PH
  • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm


07 May to 19 August
  • Mon
  • Tues
  • Wed
  • Thurs
  • Fri
  • Sat
  • Sun/PH
  • 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
  • 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
  • 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
  • 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
  • 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
  • 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
  • 8:00 am to 4:30 pm


20 August to 21 September
  • Mon
  • Tues
  • Wed
  • Thurs
  • Fri
  • Sat
  • Sun/PH
  • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:30 pm


Date: Thursday, May 17, 2012

This week's beach service information

Service Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun/PH
Newcastle City Council Lifeguard Service

Click here to visit general beach safety information

 

If this information is inaccurate, please click on the contact us link and advise

 

SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.

BAR Statistics July 2011 - June 2012
Rescues First Aids Preventative Actions
Beach Totals: 52 134 983
 
Breakdown of statistics by organisation
Cooks Hill SLSC
Rescues First Aids Preventative Actions
Total: 52 134 983
 
Breakdowns: 3No Gear 48Minor Marine Stings 1Shark Alarm
14Rescue Tube 2Major Marine Stings 4Searches
35Rescue Board 70Minor Cuts/Abrasions 31Lost Children
1Major Wounds 947Preventions
1Fractures/Dislocation
1Spinal
11Other