Spring is one of our favourite times of year - the mornings are lighter, you can lose the beanie for the beach-side coffee, and the open spaces get their green groove back.
Here's how to spend a spring day, the Newcastle way:
Rule #1 about visiting Newcastle: Always pack your swimmers (or togs, bathers or cozzies – depending where you’re coming from!)
Newcastle is surrounded by beaches and has two ocean baths – so if you’re feeling active, need to clear your head, or just love the saltwater on your skin, get along to one of our iconic beaches for a dip.
If you're feeling a little more adventurous and want to swim were the locals go, take a look at our secret swimming spots...you won't be disappointed.
Insider tip: Merewether and Newcastle Beach both have ocean baths close-by if lap swimming is your thing (Newcastle Ocean Baths CLOSING for upgrades 14 March 2022). Both beaches also have kiosks nearby for the post-swim caffeine hit.
Civic Park, located in Newcastle CBD, is one of our favourite places. Jump off the Light Rail at the Civic stop, head through Wheeler Place and into the park. Take your preference of shade, sun, bench or picnic table and enjoy lunch in the fresh air.
Insider tip: Just across the road from Civic Park is the Newcastle Art Gallery, nationally recognised as one of the finest public collections in Australia. The Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday.
For other great green places to roll out the picnic rug, check out our Top City Parks.
Rule #2 about visiting Newcastle: Visit the Anzac Memorial Walk.
The 450m cliff-top walkway links Newcastle’s Strzelecki Lookout to Bar Beach, and is one of the most popular spots along the Bathers Way for admiring the views of our coastline (and taking a selfie).
The walk was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli in 1915 and the commencement of steelmaking in Newcastle; it acts as a magnificent memorial to the men and women of the Hunter who served their community and their country.
Insider tip: Get the heart pumping by parking at Bar Beach car park and walking up the hill to the lookout area.
Additional great walks:
- Shoreline Walk: Explore the city through its relationship with the shoreline, visiting places that once formed a crucial part of Newcastle’s working harbour and maritime culture.
- Newcastle Architecture Walk: Explore buildings that have acted as cultural, political and economic icons for the people of Newcastle, and discover designs created by architects of local, national and international significance.
See all walks
