Parks and the outdoors in Newcastle

16 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Newcastle.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
ANZAC Walk
A short bridge connecting Strzelecki lookout with Bar Beach along the ridgeline, honouring the ANZACs who fought in World War I.
free
Do
Bar Beach
Regarded by many as the best of a range of beaches that ring the city. Surfing and kite-surfing available.
Drink
Beach Hotel
A Newcastle institution. The place to be on Sunday night is sitting on the front deck overlooking Merewether Beach at sunset with a locally brewed Bluetounge Beer.
Do
Blackbutt Reserve
A 182-ha reserve in suburban Newcastle. A natural bushland area which is full of native animals, picnic areas, wildlife exhibits, bushwalking trails, and children's playgrounds. Don't miss the flying fox colony on the Rainforest trail. Main entrance is off Carnley Avenue, Kotara. Other entrances - Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights (on bus route) & Richley Reserve off Freyburg Street, New Lambton. On foot from Kotara train station, enter by the small trailhead opposite Grinsell Ave. on Carnley Ave., and stay to the right in the trail system to reach the info booth and animal displays at the Carnley Avenue entrance.
Do
Fernleigh Track
A 15.5-km long cycling, walking and running trail that starts in the Newcastle suburb of Adamstown and ends in the Lake Macquarie suburb of Belmont. It follows the remains of a railway line that used to run from Adamstown to Belmont down the coast.
Do
Hunter Wetlands Centre
A regenerated 45-hectare wetlands area adjacent to Hexham Swamp. There are walking trails, a bicycle trail, a canoe trail, picnic and barbecue facilities, and a visitors' centre.
9AM-5PM
See
King Edward Park
A great place for a picnic or a BBQ. Nice views of the ocean.
Do
Nobbys Beach
One of the safer beaches to swim at, fairly close to the city and Newcastle train station.
See
Nobbys Head
Nobbys Island is connected to the mainland by a pier built using convict labour (completed in 1846). The pier is accessible to pedestrians, and is flanked by Nobbys Beach. It provides an excellent vantage point to take in views of the harbour and Stockton Beach across the water.
Drink
Prince of Merewether Hotel
Modern bar and club popular with locals of Newcastle's beach suburb. Causal atmosphere and bistro food available.
Drink
Queens Wharf Brewery
On the foreshore. A popular spot for a drink. The pub sells its own beers and has harbour views. During the day and M and Tu nights the atmosphere is relaxed, whilst W-Su evenings can get very busy. There's also entertainment (generally DJs, top 40 cover bands, R&B soloists) on W-Su evenings. There is a large outdoor (beer garden style) area on a jetty over the river - great way to relax on a sunny day.
Do
The Bogey Hole
Carved out of the rock by convicts, this ocean pool at the bottom of King Edward Park is a great place for a relaxing dip.
See
The foreshore
Large grassed open spaces on the old goods marshalling yards at the eastern end with playground equipment for children. Bars, cafes and restaurants overlooking the harbour starting from Queens Wharf where live music can be listened to on the outdoor area over the water (Hunter River)but very little grassed areas.
Do Not mapped
Mattara Festival
A festival held each year during the Labour Day long weekend in late September/early October. The Mattara festival formerly included the Mattara Hillclimb, a car race held in scenic King Edward Park. The festival features family entertainment and market stalls.
Do Not mapped
Surfest
Australia's largest surfing contest and festival held at Merewether Beach. The event is held annually over 12 days in late February.
Do
Newcastle Beach
Another good beach next to the city centre.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Newcastle (CC BY-SA 4.0).