Newcastle

Beach
Newcastle Beach is located at the base of downtown Newcastle. The back of the beach is highly modified with a seawall, road and parking along the beach, a large rock and a wading pool on the northern rocks, and the Newcastle SLSC in the centre. The beach is also one... Read more
Newcastle Beach is located at the base of downtown Newcastle. The back of the beach is highly modified with a seawall, road and parking along the beach, a large rock and a wading pool on the northern rocks, and the Newcastle SLSC in the centre. The beach is also one of the more hazardous on the coast being the site of several early drownings which resulted in the formation of Newcastle SLSC in 1908. Today an average of 92 people are rescued each year, the highest for any beach outside of Sydney. The beach is 650 m long and faces the southeast, exposing it to waves averaging 1.6 m. Its limited size, headlands and rocky outcrops particularly to the south, usually produce three permanent rips, cutting the northern and southern bars (Fig. 4.140). Surf swimming received an early set back in Newcastle when in 1866 a beachfront resident successfully summonsed two swimmers for swimming in daylight hours. They were subsequently found guilty and fined 10 shillings each.
Swimming
A potentially hazardous beach owing to the high waves, rocks and permanent rips. Stay inshore, on the bar and between the flags.
Surfing
The beach picks up any swell, but is best in a northeast with lefts off the north rocks, and rights into the rips. A popular spot and the site of many surf contests. As early as 1913 surf club members applied for permission to used surfboards on Newcastle beach, permission denied by the Council.
Fishing
The waves and rocks produce permanent gutters on the beach, with the rocks off the baths also popular, but dangerous.
Read lessBeach Patrols Change Day
Newcastle SLSC
Mon
25/01 |
Tue
26/01 |
Wed
27/01 |
Thu
28/01 |
Fri
29/01 |
Sat
30/01 |
Sun
31/01 |
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- |
09:00 - 17:00 |
- |
- |
- |
09:00 - 17:00 |
09:00 - 17:00 |
Newcastle City Council Lifeguard Service
Mon
25/01 |
Tue
26/01 |
Wed
27/01 |
Thu
28/01 |
Fri
29/01 |
Sat
30/01 |
Sun
31/01 |
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07:00 - 17:30 |
07:00 - 17:30 |
07:00 - 17:30 |
07:00 - 17:30 |
07:00 - 17:30 |
07:00 - 17:30 |
07:00 - 17:30 |
TODAY'S UPDATE
Hazards

Sharks

Bluebottles

Heavy shorebreak

Gutters

Fixed rips

Flash rips

Shallow Water

Shallow Sandbars

Submerged Objects

Accessible Rock Platforms

Uneven ground

Slippery rocks

Rocks
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Regulation Symbols





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.
Length: 0.65km
General Hazard Rating: 7/10 (Highly hazardous)
Beach Key: nsw243