Surf n SUP

Newcastle’s reef and beach breaks are recognised around the globe.

With 6 beaches and 29 surf breaks, it's legendary waves beckon those wanting to head out for a paddle.

One thing surfers love about Newy’s beaches is you can surf in almost every wind (except for a straight easterly). When one end of the beach is choppy another corner can, with any luck, offer clean conditions.

Head for Newcastle Beach, the city’s premier town beach, when there’s a Nor’easter or Nobbys Beach when there’s a southerly. Offshore reefs tempt skilled surfers while Dixon Park and The Cliff offer good beach breaks.

Merewether Beach is one of Australia’s National Surfing Reserves (a register of iconic surfing spots). Four-time world surfing champion Mark Richards and surfers Luke Egan, Matt Hoy and Ryan Callinan honed their craft on Merewether’s waves. On big wave days crowds flock to Merewether Point to catch of glimpse of surfers taking on monster swells.

While Merewether is considered the best for big waves, beaches and reefs elsewhere are good on their day. Newcastle Beach offers the best public transport access so it does get crowded. Surfing in Newcastle is largely considered at its best in winter.

Newcastle beaches offer sheltered spots for kids and fun corners protected from sea breezes.

Nobbys and Stockton Beach are considered the best for learners. Stockton offers protection near the break wall. Head for protected southern corners, less exposed beaches or the white wash if the swell gets too big.

Nobbys Beach (where the surf schools are based) is a patrolled beach with gentler tides and a sand bank making it a good place to nail the basics.

Join a private or group lesson year-round with Surfest Surf School, Newcastle Surf School or Phillipa Anderson Surf School. 

Smooth sailing more your style? Head to the languid waters of Throsby Creek for some Stand Up Paddle boarding, otherwise known as SUP.

SUP Newcastle offers lessons on Throsby Creek at Carrington using boards which are light, stable, safe and durable. If you already know how to SUP, BYO board for a social paddle with SUP Newcastle or hire one of their boards for a fun paddle session on Thursdays. 

At the other extreme SUP Newcastle also offer lessons in the incredible new sport of foiling, a hybrid of surfing and hydrofoil technology.

Nobbys Beach is the go-to spot for those wanting to kite surf in Newcastle. With decent access to waves, it's best when the NE and Southerly winds are blowing. 

Catch the world’s best surfers at Surfest, a 12-day event at Merewether Beach. Surfest is the largest surfing festival in the southern hemisphere with more than 850 national and international competitors from over 30 countries.