Bathers Way

Bathers Way is the sealed coastal path that runs the length of Newcastle's beaches from Nobbys to Merewether Baths, and this is the King Edward Park section through The Hill. Roughly 3.4 kilometres of paved headland walking, about an hour at a wander, with the ocean in view the entire way. It also links into the full six-kilometre run of coastline if you want to make a morning of it.

Leash status

The path itself is on lead the whole way, and City of Newcastle rules apply along the entire route. Dogs are not allowed on the patrolled beaches, including Newcastle Beach and Bar Beach, during patrol hours. The wrinkle is King Edward Park alongside: it holds a designated off-lead area, but it is unfenced and sits near cliff edges and roads. Read the signage on the ground before you unclip anywhere along here.

Max: Unfenced off lead beside a clifftop is a recall test, not a rest stop. If your dog is a bolter, keep the lead on and save the off-lead time for a fenced park.

Water and terrain

The surface is fully paved and accessible, rising and falling gently over the headlands, with frequent benches and the views doing most of the entertaining. There is no shade to speak of and the paving holds heat in summer. Water points and bins sit along the route, and toilets are at Memorial Walk, Bar Beach and Merewether Beach. Bring a bottle for the dog anyway, because the gaps between taps are longer than you want on a warm day.

Getting there and parking

Street parking runs along Memorial Drive at The Hill, with beach carparks at either end, and all of it fills fast on a fine weekend. The Newcastle Light Rail reaches Newcastle Beach if you would rather leave the car out of it, and bus routes serve the coastal strip. Starting at the King Edward Park end gives you the Memorial Walk boardwalk and Strzelecki Lookout within the first kilometre.

When to go

Early morning, before about 8am, or the early evening slot after 5pm. The path is busiest through the middle of weekends and school holidays, it is fully exposed to the sun, and the shared path gets busy with runners and cyclists. For seniors and nervous dogs the quiet early hours are the sweet spot, when the paving is still cool and the crowds have not arrived.

While you're out there

The King Edward Park off-lead area sits right beside the path if your dog has solid recall, and the Newcastle Dog Off-Leash Area is the other local option. The Merewether section of Bathers Way covers the southern half of the coastline. Eddie's is the closest coffee at The Hill end, and QT Newcastle takes dogs if you are staying over. Browse more dog walks across NSW or the The Hill guide.