Glenrock State Conservation Area, HighfieldsCredit: Destination NSW
Man riding a mountain bike through Glenrock State Conservation Area, Highfields located near the City of Newcastle.
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Television presenter and avid traveller Tyson Mayr booked a trip to Newcastle to discover the latest foodie hits and adventures in this coastal hub. “From start to finish this city completely surprised me,” he says. After a jam-packed three days, here are Tyson’s top five tips for making the most of ‘Newy’.
Get into the water
Newcastle’s surf is world-class, and Tyson recommends seeking the swell at Nobby’s Beach and booking in a surfing lesson with local legend Philippa Anderson, who leads her own surf school with daily classes available for beginners through to more advanced wave riders. “She’s a pro on the tour and will get any skill level standing up,” Tyson says.
Refuel and re-caffeinate
“The biggest surprise for me was just how good the food, coffee scene and nightlife actually is here,” Tyson says. Follow him to Flotilla, where he says he found “the best dining experience I’ve had in Australia.” For breakfast, Uprising Bakery & Kitchen pours coffee, serves handmade artisan pastries and some of Newcastle’s most coveted sourdough.
See the city on two wheels
Tyson joins Ben from Newy Rides, a bike tour company with a distinctively Newcastle character, riding from distilleries to craft breweries on upcycled bikes; discovering murals and stopping for selfies. “This was awesome. [Ben] takes you to all the local spots and you meet the local business [owners],” Tyson says.
Phillippa Anderson Surf School, Newcastle Credit: Destination NSW
Man enjoying a surf lesson with Philippa Anderson at Nobbys Beach, Newcastle.
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Phillippa Anderson Surf School, Newcastle Credit: Destination NSW
Man enjoying a surf lesson with Philippa Anderson at Nobbys Beach, Newcastle.
The Flotilla, Wickham Credit: Destination NSW
Dish available on the menu at The Flotilla, Wickham in Newcastle.
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The Flotilla, Wickham Credit: Destination NSW
Dish available on the menu at The Flotilla, Wickham in Newcastle.
Go bush
Just 15 minutes from the beach, Glenrock State Conservation Area feels a world away. Tyson hikes through lush rainforests and speeds past red gums, wildflowers and waterfalls on the 14-kilometre purpose-built mountain bike trail. “It’s the perfect little escape from the city and the best part is – it’s all free,” he says.
Make your own gin
Tyson says a must-do in Newcastle is a gin-making course at Earp Distilling Co. “Even if you’re not a big drinker, just trying to come up with combinations and create your own bottle – it’s a really fun experience”.
Glenrock State Conservation Area, Highfields Credit: Destination NSW
Tyson Mayr riding a mountain bike through Glenrock State Conservation Area, Highfields located near the City of Newcastle.
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Glenrock State Conservation Area, Highfields Credit: Destination NSW
Tyson Mayr riding a mountain bike through Glenrock State Conservation Area, Highfields located near the City of Newcastle.
Earp Distilling Co., Carrington Credit: Destination NSW
Man enjoying a gin masterclass and tour experience at Earp Distilling Co., Carrington in Newcastle.
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Earp Distilling Co., Carrington Credit: Destination NSW
Man enjoying a gin masterclass and tour experience at Earp Distilling Co., Carrington in Newcastle.
Blue Pool, BermaguiCredit: Destination NSW
The scenic Blue Pool on the Bermagui coastline.
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You’ll find spectacular ocean pools dotted along the southern coastline of New South Wales. These handmade pools, fed by the ocean’s waves, are often built into the rocks near beautiful sandy beaches, can be hidden away along the coastline and are enjoyed mostly by locals. Ocean pools are great for kids learning how to swim, lap swimming and for a dip on the days when the waves are a little too big for your liking. Here’s where to find an ocean pool on the coast south of Sydney.
In the Illawarra
You’ll find many spectacular ocean pools in the Illawarra area, from south of the Royal National Park all the way through to the popular seaside town of Kiama. These include lovely pools at Coledale, Bulli, Towradgi, Port Kembla and North Wollongong.
Take the road through the Royal National Park to Stanwell Park and onto Coalcliff Beach, where the ocean pool is set against a dramatic backdrop of the escarpment.
Nuns Pool, at Flagstaff Point in Wollongong, is one of the oldest in the state, dating back to the 1830s. (The title of oldest ocean pool goes to the Bogey Hole in Newcastle, north of Sydney. It was built by convicts in 1819.) Located below the lighthouse, the Nuns Pool (formerly known as Chain Baths and used by the nuns of St Mary’s convent) sits in a small, sheltered cove and is accessed via a narrow path chiselled into the sandstone.
Further south at Kiama, the Blowhole Point Ocean Pool offers a safe swimming spot near the area’s famous blowhole, the largest in the world, on a headland near the town centre. This beautiful, hand-cut pool is an irregular shape and has a varied depth and rock bottom – it was also once a men-only bath. You can also take the 15-minute walk around Kiama Harbour from the blowhole to Black Beach Reserve. Here you can do 50-metre laps in the Olympic-size Continental Ocean Pool.
A 15-minute drive south of Kiama is the tiny coastal town of Gerringong. Head down to Gerringong’s Werri Beach for a swim at Ourie Ocean Pool, at the southern end of the beach. This rectangular pool, carved into a flat rock shelf, has a smooth concrete bottom and is perfect for a summer’s day dip.
Bulli Rockpool, Bulli Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over Bulli Rockpool, Bulli.
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Bulli Rockpool, Bulli Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over Bulli Rockpool, Bulli.
Ourie Pool, Gerringong Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic aerial over Ourie Pool off Werri Beach, Gerringong.
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Ourie Pool, Gerringong Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic aerial over Ourie Pool off Werri Beach, Gerringong.
From the Illawarra to the Shoalhaven
Drive an hour further south into the Shoalhaven region and seek out Huskisson Sea Pool at Huskisson. This coastal town has a rich shipbuilding heritage, which you can explore at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum after your swim.
A 45-minute drive south of Huskisson brings you to Mollymook, where you’ll find the South Coast’s famous Bogey Hole, a natural rock pool on the headland south of the beach. There’s also a lovely ocean pool at Ulladulla, a five-minute drive further down the coast.
On the Sapphire Coast
One of the state’s most famous ocean pools is found at Bermagui, a little over five hours by car from Sydney, on the Sapphire Coast. Bermagui’s Blue Pool is revered as one of the prettiest, filled with azure-hued water fading to turquoise and green. At 50 metres long it makes for a great lap-swimming pool and there’s also a shallow wading pool, ideal for kids, just next to the pool.
One of the southernmost ocean pools on the NSW coastline is the Aslings Beach Rock Pool, a hidden gem carved into the pink-and-white cliffs at Aslings Beach in Eden, a six-hour drive from Sydney. It’s only a short walk from town, but its low profile makes it hard to spot from further down the beach. Make your way over the rocks from the beach and take a dip at low tide before the waves have a chance to deposit any seaweed.
Blue Pool, Bermagui Credit: Destination NSW
The picturesque Blue Pool situated along the Bermagui coastline.
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Blue Pool, Bermagui Credit: Destination NSW
The picturesque Blue Pool situated along the Bermagui coastline.
Aslings Beach Rock Pool, Eden Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Aslings Beach Rock Pool in Eden.
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Aslings Beach Rock Pool, Eden Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Aslings Beach Rock Pool in Eden.