4 months stay in Newcastle

[this_summer]

Hey guys,

I'm very lucky and got an internship offer in Newcastle starting beginning of August.
The last four month I've been living in Spain and got to surf at least 3 times a week and wouldn't like to change that!

In Australia I won't have a car and would therefore prefer a location close (riding a bike would be an option) to a constant spot. I would definietly prefer a beach break with small, nice waves.

Could you maybe recommend an area that's nice surfing, but has also good access to the center and the campus (that's where I work)?

Would you recommend fixing something online or is 1 week enough to find something when I arrive?

Can't wait to surf Australian waves
And thank you very much for your help!

Larissa

[surf patrol]

Hi Larissa, welcome to Surfing Waves!

Lots of good waves around Newcastle, you should have a blast. I can't help you out with any suitable spots, but there are plenty of Aussies on here who should be able to help you out with some info.

[jaffa1949]

Hi Larissa, Uncle Jaffa's rundown on Newcastle breaks.
Heading south from inside Newcastle harbour. Inside the mouth there isa nasty barreling people eater of a wave thatbreaks over open steel and concrete blocks, very expert madmen need apply, there is the reef at outside Nobbies often just a boogie board spot but boardable on its day, then Nobbies with reef and sand breaks, then Cowry Hole on a rock shelf just north of the swimming pool near Newcastle main beach then there is the length of main beach (which is often used for contests)
There is a fairly long cliff face and some rock shelf breaks as you head south but they are very selective on what swells and winds they function under. You have Bar beach and then Merewether beach and the beaches further south begin to get difficult to get to without a car.
Don't surf Stockton beaches ( spreading nortwards from the north of Newcastle harbour as they are a breeding ground for great white sharks and the beaches are not netted..
Weekend trips away to Seal Rocks and Crescent Head will help you and I'm sure you'll get at least one or two of those.
Definitely take an offer of Seal Rocks number ones is a great wave type of what you need, Crescent Head can be very crowded during school holidays and lots of weekends.
At whatever campus there are lots of surfers to put you in the know and help you get that surf fix.


Accommodation depending which Campus if it is the Uni it's quite a way from the beaches, public transport gets you there.
There is another campus at Cook's Hill,Cook's Hill is sort of student central because of this, but you could base yourself at Merewether which would give you a suitable beach although nany of them can have maxed out days.
If you are at Newcastle hospital campus then you are right above Newcastle beach and Cook's Hill or a suburb near the hospital will serve you well. The internship would probably have some suggestions as to where you can get accommodation

Sadly the beach suburbs have undergone quite a gentrification and as such a lot of the student share houses have gone.

Good luck have fun Newcastle is a good city. Great Pies at the Darby Street pie shop

[surf patrol]

There you go Larissa, I told you about our helpful Australian contingent!

[this_summer]

Thank you very much, surf patrol for the welcoming words

Thanks as well, uncle jaffa But for my taste you used way too many times rocks, cliffs, reefs..and sharks... where are the nice words like sand, slow, forgiving? hahaha, I´m at least halfway kidding

To figure out the situation from the other side of the globe is always more dificult than being in town. Do you think one week is enough to find a nice place to stay or is the situation really bad in beginning of August?

I think I´m going to be situated at Callaghan Campus and google maps tells me that its about 10 km from bar beach/Merewether which sounds to me like the best living area for now

Thank your for the tips with the beaches up north. Definietly going to check them out before my internship starts.

Also is there a better place on the way from Sydney to buy a used board and a wetsuit? What about buying a bicycle? In Newcastle or Sydney or isnt there a big difference?

So, that´s it for now and Pies at Darby Street sounds good I like pie!

[jaffa1949]

This summer will be great, you'll start offin springish weather and depending on where you are coming from , it could be very pleasant, sand beaches Merewether, bar beach , and middle of Newcastle and a bit of Nobbies, all can produce good easy waves on good easy days(then they can go to big days but if you live at Merewether you will know easily. Get to know the beaches well as they generate rips but are patrolled in summer and you can always ask re conditions, sorry to sound like it's all dangerous but a little awareness will help. There is also a University Surf Club
All the things like wetsuits, secondhand surfboards and bicycles are readily available in town, get a good geared bike as a lot of Newcastle is hilly.
Some good cycle ways and they go to the campus hopefully over easy ground and there is a train to a campus station. I studied Geology at Newcastle back in the early days. I can't think of anything more but I like Newcastle.
Have fun
BTW what is your internship?

[Jimi]

+1 for seal rocks!! Hit it as often as you get the chance. Beautiful spot.

Regarding bikes, boards and wetties, surfboards 2nd hand are readily available everywhere there's a surf shop as there are racks of consignment boards for sale in most surf shops. Also, depending on the time of year, surf shops will have last-season wetsuits on sale too. Also if you're in Sydney, you have the option of going to a factory outlet (DFO at Homebush) to pick up last season wetsuits for 1/2 prices from O'Neil, RipCurl and Billabong. As for a bike, prices will be similar in Newcastle as in Sydney. There are plenty of 2nd hand bikes around, but it may be better to ask around people you meet here as the ones advertised for sale are usually pricey ex-race bikes or very trendy tourers (read not cheap transport).

Also, not within cycle distance but short car trip is Redhead (sand) and a bit further away is Catherine Hill Bay - lovely historic town with a top notch sandy surf beach. Catho is usually pretty uncrowded, but there's always a solid bunch of locals at the peak if it's good, but even then, there's plenty of other peaks that are also fine.

[jaffa1949]

This summer this is a view you will get between the Banksia trees of #1 Break at Seal Rocks from the Caravan park.
That wave you see is a great easy wave , go mid week and the crowds will be a great deal less .
Don't worry about the bear his name is Sandon Wanderfoot and he toured the world for Rotary International and he now lives on the South Coast of NSW.
Enjoy your stay!

[this_summer]

Hey guys, I arrived three days ago and I'm just loving it here. Unfortunately the waves haven't been good, so I'm keen to head up north a little. A friend of me told me that one mile beach should be good tomorrow. So it anyone is going to surf tomorrow and wants to split gas. I'm up for it! Cheers, Larissa

[Jimi]

Glad to hear you made it and are having fun. Unfortunately the southerlies are hanging around for a few days more, so temps are down, and waves are choppy. At least the swell is coming in from the east, so there's a chance of sheltered waves at southern corners.

I just had a look at One Mile Beach, and I think your friend is right - could be a good day tomorrow. Unfortunately I'm in Sydney, and it's a little bit far for a day trip

[this_summer]

No worries, mate! Have a good time in Sydney. Waves look like they will become smaller on Wedncesday, so I hope to have my first session then. Thanks anyways =)

[jaffa1949]

This summer this is a view you will get between the Banksia trees of #1 Break at Seal Rocks from the Caravan park.
That wave you see is a great easy wave , go mid week and the crowds will be a great deal less .
Don't worry about the bear his name is Sandon Wanderfoot and he toured the world for Rotary International and he now lives on the South Coast of NSW.
Enjoy your stay!

I forgot the picture have fun this summer

[Jimi]

So how's Newcastle going for you now? some good surfs?

[this_summer]

Hey Jimi, it's going not too bad Even thought I wish waves were more consistent at the moment. Last week I had a really good surf at Blacksmith Beach. Really good for me means small and no one out. Looking forward to summer!