Throsby Creek Foreshore to Newcastle Beach

This walk runs 4.7 km from the marina at Wickham along Throsby Creek and out through Honeysuckle to Newcastle Beach, flat and paved almost the whole way. The useful fact is what sits just off it: the shared path is on-lead, but Carrington Foreshore and Islington Park nearby are designated off-leash, so the walk and the run can be one outing.

Leash status

City of Newcastle requires dogs on lead along the shared pathways and the mangrove boardwalk. The designated off-leash spots close by are the grassed area at Carrington Foreshore opposite Cowper Street and Islington Park, generally from sunrise to sunset. Dogs are not permitted on the Newcastle Memorial Walk or within ten metres of playgrounds.

At the eastern end, Horseshoe Beach near Nobbys is the harbour dog beach, while the main patrolled section of Newcastle Beach restricts dogs. The tide changes how much sand Horseshoe has, so low tide is worth timing.

The walk

Rated easy, it takes about an hour at a dog's pace, with the Throsby Creek loop itself a little over three kilometres and the extra distance coming from following the Honeysuckle waterfront east. Expect concrete, some gravel through Carrington and the boardwalk through the mangroves, all pram and wheelchair friendly.

Water and hazards

Taps with dog bowls sit at Horseshoe Beach, toilets at Foreshore Park, and waste bins run through Carrington Foreshore and Foreshore Park. Keep the lead on near the mangroves in the warm months when snakes turn up, and note the path is shared with runners and cyclists and gets busy on sunny afternoons, with limited shade along Honeysuckle.

Pepsi: start at Carrington Foreshore and cross the Cowper Street bridge so the off-leash run happens first, then the whole harbour finish is on-lead cool-down.

Getting there and parking

Free street parking sits on Hargrave Street at Carrington near the foreshore and near Horseshoe Beach, with paid options at the Throsby Car Park on Honeysuckle Drive. The Honeysuckle light rail stop drops you on the eastern half of the walk, and local buses cover Wickham.

While you're out there

Ground Up Espresso and The Pavilion Kitchen are at the Carrington end, Dark Horse covers Wickham, and MoneyPenny sits at Honeysuckle on the route.

QT Newcastle takes dogs if you are staying over, King Edward Park Off-leash Area is a short drive on for more off-lead time, and the Bathers Way to Newcastle picks up roughly where this walk finishes.

Browse more dog-friendly walks in NSW or plan the city with our guide to Wickham with the dogs.