Join locals for some laps at one of the ocean pools<\/h2>\n
While staying in Newcastle, set yourself a daily schedule that involves doing some laps at the 100-metre long Merewether Ocean Baths<\/a><\/u> or Newcastle Ocean Baths<\/a><\/u>. While Mereweather Ocean Baths<\/a> is known for being the largest ocean baths in the southern hemisphere, Newcastle Ocean Baths is distinctive for its architecturally significant pavilion, which pops up regularly on residents\u2019 Instagram feeds. The convict-built Bogey Holeis the oldest ocean pool on Australia\u2019s east coast.<\/p>\n The largest ocean baths in the southern hemisphere.<\/p><\/div>\n Newcastle is a destination for its historic architecture, from its red-brick factories to beautiful Victorian terrace houses, Gothic Revival cathedral and heritage-listed City Hall. Discover a rich diversity of architectural styles on a self-guided walking tour of the city that takes in landmark buildings dotted around the city such as the Baptist Tabernacle, which opened in 1890 and the Art Deco beauty that is NESCA House.<\/p>\n The Art Deco beauty that is NESCA House.<\/p><\/div>\n The Bather\u2019s Way<\/a><\/u> walk stretches six kilometres from Merewether Ocean Baths all the way to Nobbys Beach, where you will find Nobby\u2019s Lighthouse, which has been protecting this part of the coastline for centuries. It also snakes past the convict-built Bogey Hole, the oldest ocean pool on Australia\u2019s East Coast. The Anzac Memorial Walk is part of Bather\u2019s Way, which as well as being a tribute to the city\u2019s Anzacs, proudly celebrates the city\u2019s heritage as a steelmaking port.<\/p>\n Stroll the rugged Newcastle coastline.<\/p><\/div>\n The city of Newcastle beckons for admirers of street art and you can hear all about the art and artists on a Street Art Walking Tour<\/a><\/u> with Newcastle Afoot. Hotfoot it along the two-kilometre guided walk to large-scale examples of street art such as the Tattooed Woman<\/em> by Inari, which looms over the University of Newcastle, to Fintan Magee\u2019s hyper-coloured Shadow<\/em>. The guided tour will steer you toward the best of Newie\u2019s crowd-pleasing works.<\/p>\n Hear all about the art and artists on a Street Art Walking Tour (Photo: Bronte Naylor).<\/p><\/div>\n Shopping remains a central attraction in Newcastle where it\u2019s all at your fingertips \u2013 from inspired paper products<\/a><\/u> to artisanal coffee, designer dresses, unique homewares, hand-hammered jewellery and local artworks. Grab gourmet goods such as Over the Moon Milk and Oysters Direct from the Newcastle City Farmers\u2019 Market<\/a><\/u>, pick up some sustainable fashion from The Retro Wardrobe and bounce between boutiques on Beaumont St, home to some of the city\u2019s top retailers.<\/p>\n Pick up some produce from Newcastle City Farmers Market.<\/p><\/div>\n King Edward Park<\/a><\/u> is paradise for active travellers in search of green space and a good view over the ocean. King Edward Park is a stone\u2019s throw from the Bogey Hole, the convict-hewn sea pool at the bottom of the cliff face that flanks the recreational park and has, at its heart, an Obelisk built as a navigational marker in 1850. The spectacular park, which was earmarked as a recreational reserve in 1863, is a popular spot for a picnic or barbecue.<\/p>\n King Edward Park from above<\/p><\/div>\n The two-kilometre walk<\/a><\/u> along the Stockton Shipwreck Breakwall gives visitors a bit of a nudge about Newcastle\u2019s maritime history with its interpretative signage along the way. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, many ships were wrecked trying to navigate their way into Newcastle Harbour. Whether you walk, ride your bike or skate, the level foreshore walk is one of the easiest in the city to accomplish for those with little legs.<\/p>\n The Shipwreck Breakwall gives visitors a bit of a nudge about Newcastle\u2019s maritime history .<\/p><\/div>\n The beaches off Newcastle are busy from dusk to dawn with Novocastrians who enjoy surfing. Although Newcastle has six beautiful beaches to choose from, Newcastle Point is one of the preferred spots to catch a wave. Merewether Beach is also a magnet for surfers and, as one of Australia\u2019s National Surfing Reserves, it\u2019s where you might find high-profile surfers jostling for position in the line-up. Can\u2019t surf? Get a lesson with Phillipa Anderson Surf School<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n Get a lesson with Phillipa Anderson Surf School.<\/p><\/div>\n As well as showcasing world-class collections, Newcastle Museum and Newcastle Art Gallery both work to fire up the imagination. Visit Newcastle Gallery<\/a><\/u> to see exhibitions such as The Art of Protest<\/em>, comprising works from politically engaged artists and the monumental Hearabout<\/em> which dominates the gallery\u2019s Sculpture Garden. A Newcastle Story<\/a><\/u><\/em> at the Newcastle Museum<\/a><\/u> is also a must when looking at the city\u2019s past. The Lock-Up<\/a><\/u>, the city\u2019s first gaol, is another inspired art space.<\/p>\n Newcastle Art Gallery houses local culture in spades.<\/p><\/div>\n Blackbutt Reserve<\/a><\/u> offers 182 hectares of urban respite just six kilometres from Newcastle\u2019s CBD. The undulating environment, which is like a green blanket thrown in a heap, is a family-friendly park that includes wildlife exhibits of animals such as koalas, wombats, emus and kangaroos. Committed tree-huggers should head to the park\u2019s eucalypt forest and pocket of restored rainforest, while birdwatchers need to make a beeline for Hunter Wetlands National Park<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n![\"Mereweather](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/1The-largest-ocean-baths-in-the-southern-hemisphere..jpg\")
Learn about the \u2018Steel City\u2019s proud history<\/h2>\n
![\"NESCA](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/2The-Art-Deco-beauty-that-is-NESCA-House..jpg\")
Stride out along the Bather\u2019s Way<\/h2>\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/3Stroll-the-rugged-Newcastle-coastline..jpg\")
See some street art<\/h2>\n
![\"Street](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/4Hear-all-about-the-art-and-artists-on-a-Street-Art-Walking-Tour..jpg\")
Shop for treasures<\/h2>\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/5Pick-up-some-produce-from-Newcastle-City-Farmers-Market..jpg\")
Stroll around King Edward Park<\/h2>\n
![\"King](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/6King-Edward-Park-from-above.jpg\")
Wander along the Stockton Shipwreck Walk<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/7The-Shipwreck-Breakwall-gives-visitors-a-bit-of-a-nudge-about-Newcastle\u2019s-maritime-history-..jpg\")
Go for a surf<\/h2>\n
![\"Phillipa](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/8Get-a-lesson-with-Phillipa-Anderson-Surf-School..jpg\")
Visit Newcastle Museum and Art Gallery<\/h2>\n
![\"Newcastle](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/9Newcastle-Art-Gallery-houses-local-culture-in-spades..jpg\")
Enjoy a bout of forest bathing<\/h2>\n
![\"Hunter](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/10Make-a-beeline-for-Hunter-Wetlands-National-Park..jpg\")