Holiday houses in Merewether

Merewether is a coastal neighbourhood in Newcastle on Australia’s southeast coast and home to some of the city’s most well-known beaches. Visitors and locals alike are drawn to Merewether Beach to take advantage of its ideal conditions for surfing, and an international surfing contest attracts pros and sandy-toed spectators from around the world. This stretch of shoreline is also home to the largest ocean baths in the Southern Hemisphere, perfect for sunset dips overlooking the crashing waves.

Merewether’s close proximity to the centre of Newcastle gives you access to all the action downtown in just 20 minutes, from grabbing a flat white at an open-air cafe terrace to sampling the fresh local seafood at one of the area’s elegant eateries among the old miners’ cottages. Merewether is a place to take five and soak up the suburban beach vibe, all while having the breathtaking surrounding rainforests and waterfalls of New South Wales right on your doorstep.

The ideal time to visit is the summer — between December and March — which is when the city sees warm, humid days. However, when temperatures are at their highest, it is a great time to cool off in one of the city’s baths like Newcastle Ocean Baths. The city tends to see the majority of its rainfall between March and June, which coincides with the autumn and early winter. Sea temperatures in autumn remain relatively warm, making this a nice time to try surfing. To watch the best in the business, head here for the international surfing competition, which runs for two weeks starting in late January. Springtime is similar in temperature but with less rainfall and cooler waters, so it’s definitely the time of year to plan some hiking and biking at nearby parks.

Merewether Ocean Bath

This pool is located right on the water and is an easy 15-minute walk from most parts of Merewether. As you swim here right on the ocean, you may see the waves crash up and over into the pool. Like many coastal cities in the country, Merewether provides these oceanside lanes as a way to get the feeling of swimming in the ocean with the convenience of a pool. The bath is also right next to the promenade, where you can stroll after a swim and watch the surfers.

Glenrock State Conservation Area

This large green space is located just to the south of the residential part of the suburb and is where people come to explore scenic hiking and mountain biking paths. Visitors will also discover waterfalls along rainforest trails and be rewarded with views of the picturesque Glenrock Lagoon.

Fort Scratchley

Venture up to the top of the hill by Nobbys Head to visit this historic fortress dating back to the 19th century. Aside from taking in the exhibits, you can also embark on tours of underground tunnels. The site also offers panoramic views of the coastline and Nobbys Head Lighthouse.