It is a coastal walking route that links beaches, baths and headlands. The listing gives the best guide to what is on site. You can do a short section with children.

Is the Bogey Hole safe for swimming?

Conditions change with swell and tide, and waves can break over the rocks. Check signs and the sea before anyone gets near the water.

Can we see whales near Newcastle?

In the cooler months, whales often pass the coast, and headland walks are good places to look. Sightings are never guaranteed, but binoculars help.

Is Walka Water Works suitable for children?

It is a gentle, green place for wandering, with paths and open space. Check the listing for what is available, and keep children away from water edges.

Waterfalls, lookouts and national parks in Newcastle

Newcastle has no famous waterfalls, and that is part of what makes its awe so particular. The big views here are of sea, harbour and old industrial history, and the best ones are free. Bathers Way follows the coast through headlands, baths and beaches, the Memorial Walk climbs a clifftop with views over the ocean, and Walka Water Works offers a quiet green pocket of wetlands and old waterworks inland. The coastal walks are the stars. They are broad and well made, with places to sit, so children can walk longer than they expect. Look out for ships queuing offshore, surfers in the swell and, in the cooler months, whales passing the headlands. The harbour has a different charm, with cranes, tugboats and old buildings that make children stop and ask questions. The Bogey Hole, a historic ocean bath cut into rock, adds a sense of old Newcastle, and it is worth looking at even if you do not swim. Waves can break over the rocks, so keep well back in rough weather. The listing says what is allowed and what is on site. Most of these places suit short outings. Plan a walk of an easy length, stop for a view, then move on to a beach or playground. Bring a windproof layer, because the headlands catch the sea wind. A morning here can feel unexpectedly big, particularly on a clear day.

Our picks

Bathers Way Newcastle
The Bathers Way is City of Newcastle's 6 km coastal walk from Merewether Ocean Baths in the south to Nobbys Beach in the north.
Newcastle Memorial Walk The Hill
A clifftop walkway opened in 2015 for the centenary of the Anzac landing, made from 64 tonnes of stainless steel and lined with steel soldier silhouettes and the names…
Walka Water Works Oakhampton Heights
A 112-hectare recreation and wildlife reserve around the historic 1887 Walka Water Works pump house, five minutes from central Maitland.
Tilligerry Habitat Tanilba Bay
Tilligerry Habitat is a nine-hectare crown reserve on the Port Stephens foreshore at Tanilba Bay, set up to show koalas and their habitat.

2 km · easy
Bogey Hole The Hill
The Bogey Hole is a heritage-listed ocean pool cut into the rock platform below King Edward Park by convicts in 1819 for Commandant James Morisset.
Fernleigh Track Adamstown
A 15km shared walking and cycling path from Adamstown to Belmont along a former rail corridor, built jointly by City of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie City Council.

Before you go

Best for which ages

Primary-aged children enjoy the walks and the sense of discovery, and toddlers manage short stretches. Teenagers usually appreciate the views and photo opportunities. Walka Water Works suits quieter wanderers, while the coastal walks suit those who like open air. Let children choose where to stop, because they notice ships, birds and boats long before adults do.

What to bring

A windproof jacket, water, snacks, a hat and sunscreen. Comfortable shoes are important, since paths can be long. Bring binoculars if you have them for ships and whales. A small bag keeps hands free for holding children. A flask of something warm for the adults is a good idea in the cooler months.

Parking and facilities

Parking varies, and some city spots have time limits. Check the listing for toilets, seats and cafes. Many walks have good paths, but some sections have stairs. Do not assume food is available along the route. Walking one way and catching a bus or a lift back can suit tired legs.

Best time of year

Clear winter and early spring days are lovely for whale watching and cooler walking. Summer is better early or late. Windy days can make headlands uncomfortable, and heavy swell can make rock platforms dangerous, so stay well back. Early mornings are often calmest, with softer light for photographs and fewer people on the path.

How to make a day of it

Pick a section of Bathers Way, add a beach or baths stop, and finish with a playground or ice cream. A short walk at Walka Water Works can balance a busier day. Keep the plan simple. Let the children set the pace and rest on a bench whenever someone asks.

Waterfalls, lookouts and forest walks

Walks the park service or council describes with a length and grade. Each listing says how far, how hard, and what is at the start.

Bathers Way Newcastle
The Bathers Way is City of Newcastle's 6 km coastal walk from Merewether Ocean Baths in the south to Nobbys Beach in the north.
Newcastle Memorial Walk The Hill
A clifftop walkway opened in 2015 for the centenary of the Anzac landing, made from 64 tonnes of stainless steel and lined with steel soldier silhouettes and the names…
Walka Water Works Oakhampton Heights
A 112-hectare recreation and wildlife reserve around the historic 1887 Walka Water Works pump house, five minutes from central Maitland.
Tilligerry Habitat Tanilba Bay
Tilligerry Habitat is a nine-hectare crown reserve on the Port Stephens foreshore at Tanilba Bay, set up to show koalas and their habitat.

2 km · easy
Bogey Hole The Hill
The Bogey Hole is a heritage-listed ocean pool cut into the rock platform below King Edward Park by convicts in 1819 for Commandant James Morisset.
Fernleigh Track Adamstown
A 15km shared walking and cycling path from Adamstown to Belmont along a former rail corridor, built jointly by City of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie City Council.
Fort Tomaree Walk Shoal Bay
Fort Tomaree walk in Tomaree National Park is an easy walk on a paved track around the lower slopes of Tomaree Head to the World War II gun emplacements built in 1941,…

2.5 km · Grade 3 / easy · 1.5 - 2 hours return

All walks, waterfalls and lookouts in Newcastle, free and paid

Questions parents ask

What is Bathers Way?: It is a coastal walking route that links beaches, baths and headlands. The listing gives the best guide to what is on site. You can do a short section with children.
Is the Bogey Hole safe for swimming?: Conditions change with swell and tide, and waves can break over the rocks. Check signs and the sea before anyone gets near the water.
Can we see whales near Newcastle?: In the cooler months, whales often pass the coast, and headland walks are good places to look. Sightings are never guaranteed, but binoculars help.
Is Walka Water Works suitable for children?: It is a gentle, green place for wandering, with paths and open space. Check the listing for what is available, and keep children away from water edges.