Walk the Bathers Way

If you're looking for an active adventure in Newcastle, it is hard to go past the Bathers Way Walk. This scenic walk offers visitors a unique opportunity to take in the city's natural beauty, history, and community spirit while enjoying an abundance of fresh air and light exercise.

Walkers can start their journey at either end of Bathers Way (or anywhere in between) and are welcome to stop for as many ice creams, photo ops, eats, and swims as they like. We're starting at Merewether Ocean Baths, so let's get going...

Overview: Merewether Baths to Nobbys Beach / Macquarie Pier

Length: 6 km (one-way) Approximately 3 hours

Difficulty: Grade 2 (long stretches of flat sections, some steeper gradients, paved)

Merewether Ocean Baths sit under gorgeously rugged cliffs and were first opened in 1935. One of the largest ocean baths in the Southern Hemisphere, two pools are free to the public, a lane and free-swim pool, as well as a children's pool.

Hot tip: If you start your Bathers Way adventure with a swim, there are amenities nearby to freshen up and de-salt before kicking off the walk in earnest.

The pathway winds along Newcastle's stunning coastline as you head north, offering breathtaking vistas of Merewether, Dixon Park, and Bar Beach. All three beaches are top swimming and surfing spots, with Merewether Beach the beloved home to Surfest.

Along this section, some of Newcastle's most loved kiosks line the path too, including Merewether Surfhouse, Blue Door Kiosk Merewether, Sunny Boy Kiosk Dixon Park, and Swell Kiosk Bar Beach. So, grab yourselves something fresh to go, then continue walking.

The path continues atop the cliffs that overlook Susan Gilmore Beach before leading you up to the elevated 450m Anzac Memorial Walk. Here you can take in sweeping beach views and revel in the crystal-clear waters below, plus spot migrating whales and dolphins… If you're lucky.

More than an epic viewing area, the Anzac Memorial Walk was built to mark the centenary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli and steel soldier silhouettes are inscribed with the names of almost 11,000 Hunter Valley servicemen and women who enlisted during World War One.

Strzelecki Lookout is the high point of Bathers Way, named after the Polish explorer, pioneering scientist, geologist, and humanitarian Sir Paul (Paweł) Edmund Strzelecki who conducted coal and mineral research in Newcastle between 1839 and 1845. And is a fave spot for paragliders!

If this last uphill stretch has you a bit puffed, Bathers Way is all downhill or flat from here.

Follow the path alongside Cliff Street and The Terrace before veering right to enter Shepherds Hill. Originally known to the area’s Indigenous peoples as Khanterin this hillside historical spot was established in the 1800s and was part of the city’s coastal defence during WWII.

Follow the gently curving path and series of concrete steps to skirt around the coastal edge of King Edward Park and enjoy an unrivalled view of the city’s spectacular cliff faces. Wander into the main park to admire the manicured Garside Gardens and picturesque 1898 rotunda.

At the bottom of the King Edward Park stepped coastal path a quick detour to the right takes you to the Bogey Hole, named from the Dharawal word meaning “to bathe”; a unique and sometimes treacherous ocean pool originally carved from exposed rock by convicts in 1819.

Continue to follow Bathers Way down to Newcastle Beach, passing South Newcastle Beach Skate Park. A celebration of accessibility and diversity, the skate park welcomes everyone, from pros to toddlers, and includes the Hunter's first wheelchair-accessible (WCMX) skate bowl.

Newcastle Beach offers walkers the chance to take in some of the city's street art while grabbing a bite to eat at a nearby café, Estabar, cool off with handcrafted ice creams from East End Ice Creamery or fresh treats and coffees from The Kiosk Newcastle Beach. 

The iconic art deco façade of Newcastle Ocean Baths can be seen off in the distance from here, and that is where your Bathers Way adventure is headed. Stay for a dip or chill on the turquoise steps overlooking the popular Cowrie Hole surf break next door.

Following the path around the coast, Fort Scratchley now towers above, and the southern end of Nobbys Beach will come into view. If you are passing through at low tide, you might see the rough semi-circle of rocks known as the Soldiers Baths, a popular snorkelling spot.

An artwork titled Grounded by Sydney-based artist John Petrie is just up ahead. The bright red depiction of a ship's bow commemorates the grounding of the MV Pasha Bulker, a 225m bulk carrier swept to shore during a violent storm on 8 June 2007.

Fun Fact: Grounded was made from part of the 19-tonne rudder that snapped off on rock reef during the ship's infamous grounding. 

Nobbys Beach is ideal for families and those learning to surf, due to its south-easterly aspect, and Swell Kiosk Nobbys is the perfect excuse to sit back in the Art Deco arched pavilion, take in the vista, and refuel before continuing along Bathers Way towards Nobbys Lighthouse.  

You're on the final 1km stretch!  

Along Macquarie Pier you will arrive at Nobbys headland where the iconic lighthouse proudly stands, lighting the way for ships since 1858. Visitors are free to walk up to Nobbys Lighthouse on weekends between 8 am and 4 pm (extended hours in summer) – the views are worth it. 

Macquarie Pier, known as 'the breakwall' to locals, marks the end of Bathers Way, but if you continue walking along Newcastle Foreshore a well-earned drink (and sit down) can be enjoyed at nearby Customs House Hotel, The Great Northern, or Queens Wharf Hotel.

Footwear: In the warmer months thongs (flip-flops/jandles) and sandals might be tempting. Especially if you want to dip your toes in the water or walk barefoot on the sand. But comfortable walking shows will help you last the distance and tackle the varied terrain.  

Water: Stay hydrated! There are bubblers and drinking fountains along the way and there are also an excellent array of cafes and kiosks where you can buy a cool drink. But it's always a good idea to carry a water bottle, especially if tackling this path in summer. 

Sunscreen: The Australian sun can be intense, so if you can't cover your skin with a long-sleeve shirt, make sure you have plenty of sunscreen on. A hat and sunglasses are also ideal walking companions. 

For little ones, the elderly, or walkers with a disability, sections of this walk may prove challenging. 

Bathers Way Walk is fully paved; however, participation and enjoyment would be dependent on an individual's gradient capabilities as there are some steep sections. Large sections of the Bathers Way Walk are relatively flat, including the sections between Merewether Baths through to Dixon Park Beach, plus South Newcastle Beach around the coast to Macquarie Pier.  

While the Anzac Memorial Walk has large steps on the southern end making it non-wheelchair accessible, the top bridge section of the path can be accessed by wheelchair via the Strzelecki Lookout entrance, which can be reached via Memorial Drive. There are also steps between Shepherds Hill and King Edward Park down towards the Bogey Hole, and an alternative route could follow King Edward Park pathways down to South Newcastle Beach. However, there are steep inclines within the park here.