What it is
Nobbys Head was once an island; in the first half of the nineteenth century convicts built a breakwater that joined it to the mainland, and a lighthouse was added on its summit in 1858. The breakwater is now a popular walk out to the headland, where ships can be seen passing close by on their way into the port.
The beach itself is patrolled in summer and is sheltered compared with the other city beaches. The Nobbys Beach Surf Pavilion stands behind the sand, and the coastal Bathers Way path continues south towards the ocean baths and Bar Beach.
Getting there by bus
Route 23, the route to Newcastle East via Newcastle Interchange, stops at Nobbys Rd before Wharf Rd, a short walk from the beach, and at Parnell Pl opp Alfred St near Fort Scratchley.
Routes 11, 13, 14 and 21 stop on Watt Street at Customs House, from where the beach is about ten to fifteen minutes away on foot.
