Nobbys Beach

About Nobbys Beach

Nobbys Beach, the most well-known beach in Newcastle, is highly popular among families, beginner surfers, and even local dolphins. It offers a perfect setting to spend the whole day, with the beach on one side and a public recreational area on the other, complete with barbecue facilities. Additionally, there is a kiosk that sells a variety of items, including coffee, cakes, fish, chips, and burgers, which adds to the overall appeal of this beach.

One of the things you must do is take a walk along the Nobbys break-wall, located beneath the iconic Nobbys Lighthouse. With some luck, you might have the opportunity to witness the diligent tug boats guiding a coal ship into the harbour. Nobbys Beach serves as the starting point for the renowned Bathers Way Walk. To reach Nobbys, you can take the Light Rail to the Newcastle Beach stop and then proceed on foot. Additionally, there is parking available on-site.

What to do at Nobbys Beach

Considered one of the safest swimming beaches within Newcastle, Nobbys Beach is highly regarded as the city’s most prominent beach. It is a popular choice for family groups and individuals who are new to surfing, as it provides a favoured swimming spot.

In the early days of the penal settlement, Nobbys Head was known as Coal Island, where convicts mined coal. It was later joined to the mainland by the construction of the southern Hunter River entrance wall in 1846, and its name was changed to Nobbys Head. On the east side of this small knobbly head, there is a 250 m long beach (NSW 241) that is bordered by the entrance wall on the north and the inner rocks and reefs of Big Ben Rock on the south. The beach can now be accessed through the breakwater road. It is a moderately protected beach with waves that average less than 1 m, resulting in a steep beach fronted by a continuous shallow bar and rocks towards Big Ben. Nobbys Beach (NSW 242) was also formed due to the construction of the entrance wall, and the wall now supports the entire beach. During high seas, waves wash across the beach and reach the wall. At the south end of the beach, a seawall continues in front of the Nobby Surf Lifesaving Club (founded in 1923) until it reaches the car park at the base of Flagstaff Hill, which stands 20 m high. The 900 m long beach faces east-southeast and receives waves that average 1.6 m on the outer reef. These waves are reduced along the southern section of the beach where the bar is usually connected, while higher waves and rips dominate the northern end. The higher waves break on the northern reef and then reform in a wide deep trough before reaching the beach as a powerful shore break, with a rip flowing out of the trough.

One local company in Newcastle that is involved with this tourist attraction site is:

Website: Patios Newcastle

Address: Body 1/20 Pendlebury Road, Cardiff NSW 2285

Phone: (02) 4003 6425