Bathers Way, South Newcastle

Image showing the upgraded Bathers Way including the new skate parkImage of the renewed Bathers Way shared path lower promenade and new skate bowl. David Diehm Photography.

Bathers Way, South Newcastle is the newest stretch of Bathers Way from Shortland Esplanade to King Edward Park, also known as the Newcastle Beach Community Infrastructure Renewal Project. Our upgrade has created a vibrant and attractive hub for visitors and residents and upgraded the pedestrian and cycle path links in this section of the Bathers Way. Activation of this area will also improve passive surveillance and aid in reducing anti-social behaviour in the area.


Project completion

We are delighted to welcome the community back into this space, with the site re-opened on Friday 2 August. Thank you to all who attended our free community event on 18 August.


A place for our community

The project is part of our Coastal Revitalisation Program and was part funded by a $5 million grant from the NSW Government's Restart NSW Resources for Regions program.

Our upgrade caters for a broad range of users by providing a wider accessible shared path, new kiosk and exercise equipment, accessible amenities, as well as places to sit and enjoy the views.

Newcastle's thriving surf and skate community have been well catered for with renewed amenities including outdoor showers where beachgoers can rinse off, as well as an inclusive skate bowl and terrain park for skaters, scooters and riders including wheelchair athletes of all skill levels, providing an alternative to the advanced-level facilities at nearby Empire Park. 

Features of our upgrade include:

  • The new Bathers Way shared path from Shortland Esplanade to King Edward Park.
  • Improved access to South Newcastle Beach and King Edward Park.
  • Renewed skatepark and bowl.
  • Parking, landscaping, lighting and accessibility improvements.
  • New fitness equipment, shade, seating, and viewing areas.
  • New café/kiosk and accessible amenities.


Image showing exercise stations alongside the new shared path
New exercise stations
Image showing a range of people standing and sitting around the edge of the new skate bowl, watching a person on roller skates skating in the bowl.
Skate bowl
Image taken at night time showing the structure over the top of the restored historic stone arches which cover some picnic tables which are lit up with lighting installed above. This photo was taken by local photographer, David Diehm.
Lower promenade
Image taken at night time showing the restored historic stone arches which cover some picnic tables which are lit up with lighting installed above. This photo was taken by local photographer, David Diehm.
Restored stone arches & picnic area
Image showing the red and blue Bronte Naylor mural which is painted around an arch shaped structure which is the exit point for wheelchair skaters from inside the skate bowl and onto a ramp which leads back up to the top of the bowl so they can drop in again
Skate bowl, wheelchair exit
Image showing a crowd of people standing and also sitting on the bleacher seating watching a young girl skate in the bowl.
Skate bowl and viewing area


A place for public art

We worked with art and culture placemaking consultancy Art Pharmacy to bring two areas of the site to life with artworks by local artists, Ellie Hannon and Brontë Naylor.

Ellie Hannon

At the lower promenade, Ellie Hannon's sandblasted design celebrates the different local native bushland species of trees and grasses often found in the Glenrock Nature Reserve and the Awabakal Nature Reserve.  The artist engaged in observation and discussion with local Elders and National Parks Officer Gary Luke to capture the forms, marks, and interplays in nature. She notes that ‘These trees all gather and support each other, holding each other up to the light’ – a metaphor for the strong creative community that exists within Newcastle itself. Learn more about the artist and the commission.

Images below: Lee Illfield, Art Pharmacy. 

Image of the artist, Ellie Hannon, walking in front of her sandblasted mural on the wall at the lower promenade.
Image of the artist, Ellie Hannon, running her hand along her sandblasted mural on the wall at the lower promenade.
Image of people walking in front of Ellie Hannon's sandblasted mural on the wall at the lower promenade.

Brontë Naylor

Brontë Naylor's colourful artwork at the new skate bowl is strongly influenced by imagery from skating and cinematic culture. The artist used her signature collage technique to show a dialogue between intergenerational cultures existing within the same space. This artwork also celebrates the memory of Jack Murphy, a popular Newcastle scooter rider, and former Alderman at the City of Newcastle, Margaret Goumas. Learn more about the artist and the commission.

Images below: Lee Illfield, Art Pharmacy. Project credits: Brontë Naylor, Nick Barlow, James Turvey, Art Pharmacy.

Image of Bronte Naylor's mural next to the skate bowl, showing waves. trees and a young boy skating.
Image of a young girl riding a scooter in front of Bronte Naylor's mural
Image of Bronte Naylor's mural next to the skate bowl showing waves in bright reds and blues


A place for events

This is a unique sporting facility not just for Newcastle, but for our region. Our upgrade enhances our city's ability to host events and competitions, which in turn drives growth in the sport and contributes to the local economy.

Find out more about outdoor event spaces in Newcastle.

Image of WCMX skater in their wheelchair on the edge of the skate bowl about to drop in
WCMX in the skate bowl
Image showing a range of people including children scooting and skating over obstacles in the terrain park
Skate plaza
Image showing a BMW bike rider doing tricks in the air in the skate bowl
BMX in the bowl
Image of people doing parkour activities during New Nat Gat 2024, an event run by Newcastle Parkour.
Parkour
Image of people doing parkour activities during New Nat Gat 2024, an event run by Newcastle Parkour.
New Nat Gat 2024 - Parkour event
Image of people doing parkour activities during New Nat Gat 2024, an event run by Newcastle Parkour.
Parkour


Images of the site before renewal

Image showing an aged concrete structure in the terrain park in 2020, before being replaced as part of our upgrade to the area.
Before: Skate plaza, 2020
Image showing the underground walkway which led to the skate park from Bathers Way in 2020, before being replaced as part of our upgrade to the area.
Before: Pedestrian tunnel, 2020
Image showing the timber halfpipe in the skate park in 2020, before being replaced as part of our upgrade to the area.
Before: Skate park, 2020


Past project news & updates

Protection of historic stone arches

When the stones were set in the arches at South Newcastle Beach, horse and carts filled the streets of Newcastle and beach attire consisted of three-piece suits and ankle length dresses. Fast forward more than 110 years and the historic structure still stands as one of the oldest European hand-crafted structures on the New South Wales coast.

Find out more in the video below.


Past project updates

2 August 2024 - Community invited to drop in and enjoy world-class walk overlooking South Newcastle Beach

May 2024 - Works update

6 March 2024 - Cliff works underway at South Newcastle Beach to enhance public safety

16 August 2023 - Bathers Way South Newcastle Beach project set for completion with new contractor

15 May 2023 - City of Newcastle appoints interim contractor for South Newcastle Beach project

23 December 2022 - Coastal projects take shape heading into 2023

22 October 2021 - South Newcastle Beach stone shelter stands the test of time

27 May 2021 - Your Newcastle Podcast - Episode 5 - South Newcastle Beach, the Starr of the Show

18 August 2020 - South Newcastle Beach transformation begins


Community consultation

We carried out broad community engagement activities for the Bathers Way, South Newcastle in December 2018, including drop-in sessions at four locations across the Newcastle Local Government Area and an online survey.

Having carefully considered what we heard from stakeholders and the community we revised the design and sought additional community feedback in July and August 2019. This concept plan incorporated a skatepark and bowl west of the existing seawall whilst maintaining the other elements of the Bathers Way. This concept was open for community feedback in July 2019 with 80% of respondents supporting the project.

Following this consultation the detailed design was prepared and finalised.

View the indicative designs.

Download the 2018 consultation report


Future stages - Bathers Way, Newcastle Beach Stage 2 (subject to funding)

Bathers Way, Newcastle Beach Stage 2 is part of the Newcastle Beach Community Infrastructure Renewal Project and covers the short section of Bathers Way on Shortland Esplanade opposite Ocean Street and includes the Newcastle Community Hub. The project includes a proposal for demolishing the existing Newcastle Beach pavilion and constructing a new community building, subject to additional funding. Design for this project is yet to commence. This stage would include:

  • Construction of the final section of the Bathers Way shared path along Shortland Esplanade at Newcastle Beach.
  • Construction of a new community building including a new Surf Life Saving Pavilion.
  • New café/kiosk, accessible amenities and showers.
  • New landscaping, shade and seating.
  • Improved access between Newcastle Beach and CBD.