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.
MORE INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
Summer in SydneyCREDIT: Destination NSW
The Royal National Park, south of Sydney, has some beautiful secluded beaches.
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Hidden within beautiful Sydney Harbour, tucked away in national parks and along Sydney’s glorious coastline, you‘ll find an abundance of beautiful secret beaches. With amazing views and soft sands perfect for relaxing and picnicking, seek out these Sydney beaches that are secluded, private and worth the adventure to find.
In Sydney’s south
Little Congwong Beach, La Perouse
The short, paved walk from the better-known Congwong Beach takes you to a secluded stretch of sand in the La Perouse section of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, a 30-minute drive south of the city centre. The calm water at this little beach makes it great for a snorkel or paddling with kids. Surrounded by lush vegetation, the cove feels miles away from the city, although there’s also easy access from a nearby road if you don’t want to walk from Congwong Beach, and there is plenty of parking nearby. Bring a beach umbrella, though, as there is limited shade. Little Congwong was previously an unofficial clothing-optional beach, although this is now discouraged.
La Perouse, Sydney CREDIT: Destination NSW
Aerial view of La Perouse (Frenchmans Bay on the left - Congwong Bay on the right), Sydney.
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La Perouse, Sydney CREDIT: Destination NSW
Aerial view of La Perouse (Frenchmans Bay on the left - Congwong Bay on the right), Sydney.
Oatley Park, Oatley
Combine a swim with a bush walk at Oatley Park, a 30-minute drive from the city centre in the leafy southern suburb of Oatley, near Hurstville. Here the 45-hectare bushland reserve hums with cockatoos and other birds drawn to the native flowers and trees, while the paved and unpaved walks through the bush offer lovely views of the Georges River. Head to Oatley Park Castle, a quirky sandstone lookout (complete with a solid sandstone parapet) built during the Great Depression, and you’ll see a sandy beach through the trees. This is Oatley Baths, a 200m-long netted swimming enclosure with change rooms and picnic tables. Swim a few long laps of the enclosure, or simply laze on the pontoon and watch the cockatoos fly overhead.
Oatley Baths, Oatley CREDIT: Mark Sariban
The river beach at Oatley Baths, in the southern Sydney suburb of Oatley.
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Oatley Baths, Oatley CREDIT: Mark Sariban
The river beach at Oatley Baths, in the southern Sydney suburb of Oatley.
Gunnamatta Park and Darook Park, Cronulla
Four famous surf beaches make up the long stretch of sand at Cronulla, a 50-minute drive south of central Sydney. But just a 10-minute walk from the café and shopping strip at the heart of this laid-back suburb you’ll find two calm estuary beaches on Gunnamatta Bay, on the Port Hacking River side of the Cronulla peninsula. Both beaches boast plenty of shade, particularly in the morning, and the only waves are generated by passing boats, making them perfect for families with young children.
At Gunnamatta Park you can swim in the bay or the netted tidal pool, enclosed by a picturesque wooden jetty. There’s a playground in the park, as well as toilets and change rooms. A couple of minutes’ drive further south, you’ll find an even more secluded beach at Darook Park. Here trees line the narrow strip of sand, casting shade right over the water in the morning, so you can minimise your sun exposure while still having a leisurely dip.
Burning Palms Beach, Royal National Park
There are some great little beaches in the Royal National Park, an hour’s drive south of Sydney. Garie and Wattamolla beaches are the most accessible, but there are plenty of others to seek out, including Burning Palms Beach. Park at Garie Beach and walk south along the Coast Track, past North and South Era beaches, or brave the steep 20-minute walk from Garawarra Farm car park. The northern end of the beach’s headland is dotted with historic beach shacks, built by miners from nearby Helensburgh in the 1930s. Note that the surf can be strong and the beach is not always patrolled.
Darook Park, Cronulla CREDIT: Mark Sariban
The sheltered beach at Darook Park, on Cronulla’s Gunnamatta Bay in southern Sydney.
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Darook Park, Cronulla CREDIT: Mark Sariban
The sheltered beach at Darook Park, on Cronulla’s Gunnamatta Bay in southern Sydney.
On Sydney’s Northern Beaches
Store Beach, Manly
There’s a beach on the harbour side of Manly‘s protected North Head that’s so secluded it’s only accessible by water. Store Beach was originally the site where ships would unload provisions for Sydney’s old Quarantine Station, which was used to isolate arriving passengers suspected of carrying infectious diseases. Now part of Sydney Harbour National Park, the quarantine buildings have been transformed into the Q Station boutique accommodation.
You can reach Store Beach via a challenging rock hop at low tide from nearby Collins Flat Beach, but most people make their way here by boat. Hire a kayak from Manly Kayak Centre and paddle your way there in about 20 minutes. Keep an eye out for little penguins, which use the reserve as a breeding ground.
Turimetta Beach, Narrabeen Head
Turimetta Beach, a 30-minute drive from Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, is so secret it disappears at high tide. Low tide exposes a small stretch of sand, interesting rock formations and carvings. It’s bordered by Turimetta Head to the north and Narrabeen Head to the south, with access from the Bicentennial Coastal Walk or via the rock platform from Narrabeen Beach. Backed by steep cliffs, the beach is popular with surfers. It’s not patrolled and the surf is strong, but the south end’s large, flat rocks and rock pools are great for kids to explore.
Resolute Beach, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park CREDIT: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW
Resolute Beach looking towards Barrenjoey Headland, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park
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Resolute Beach, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park CREDIT: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW
Resolute Beach looking towards Barrenjoey Headland, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park
Resolute Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Deep in the heart of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, a 45-minute drive north of the city centre, the secluded, beautiful Resolute Beach is your reward for a steep walk along the Resolute Track. Resolute’s calm, clear water, densely forested fringes and views out to Pittwater and Barrenjoey Headland make it an idyllic spot you may have all to yourself.
The Resolute Track, which starts at the Resolute Picnic Area, passes through bushland and the famous Red Hands Cave with its Aboriginal handprints. You can also take a detour down some steep stairs to West Head Beach, which is just as secluded as Resolute, but more rocky.