Take in the stunning Coastal views from the Newcastle Anzac Memorial Walk
The Newcastle Memorial Walk, is a spectacular coastal walk located in the Newcastle beachside suburb of Bar Beach.
Funded by the Newcastle Council and BHP Billiton, the Memorial Walk links Newcastle’s Strzelecki lookout with the existing six kilometre coastal walk around Newcastle’s most popular beaches.
The walk is popular amongst tourists for it’s stunning 360 degree views of the city and equally as popular with many locals using it for cardio exercise due to it’s stair cases and the steep incline leading up to the walkway from Bar Beach
Significance of the Memorial Walk
The ANZAC Memorial Walk was officially opened on the 24th of April 2015 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing in Gallipoli.
The walkway honours Australian soldiers that fought in World War I with steel silhouettes of soldiers featured along both sides of the top section of the walk.
The silhouettes are marked with the names of 11,000 Hunter Valley men and women that served during World War I.
Secondly, the bridge is constructed from 64 tonnes of stainless steel, which pays tribute to the history of Newcastle as a city and it’s steel making background.
The 100th year anniversary of BHP’s Newcastle Steelworks opening coincidently also coincides with the 100 year anniversary of ANZAC landing in Gallipoli.
More information can be found on the Newcastle Council website.
Strzelecki Lookout Section
This section of the walk can be accessed from the lookout car park. This part is approximately 160 metres long and leads to a viewing platform with bench seating before meeting up with the second section which is predominately stairs.
This section of the walk is flat, making it accessible for prams and wheelchairs to walk the length and make a return loop to the car park.
Please note that dogs are not permitted on the walkway at any time.
Bar Beach section
This section is made up of a stairways and ramps which brings you down onto Memorial Drive, towards Bar Beach.
The walk down the stairs from this section offers stunning cliffside views of the ocean and the coastal landscape.
This section is not too hard to manage on the way down, though for those with mobility issues or young children, it’s not the easiest of walks on the way back up.
Getting there
The memorial walk is located on Memorial Drive.
If travelling by car, you’re able to park in the Strzelecki Lookout car park and access the top of the walkway from there.
From this starting point, the walk will be mostly flat before heading down stairs downhill.
Alternatively you can park in the Bar Beach car park.
While this is a nice walk, it is a very steep walk to get to the staircase.
Once on the staircase it is hard work getting uphill, so may not be suitable for those with mobility issues or younger children.
When is the best time to visit?
Any time of day is a great time to visit. Although it is particularly spectacular early in the morning or late in the evening when the light is soft.
The walkway is accessible 24 hours a a day and is equipped with lighting for those that may wish to experience it after dark.
Amenities nearby
Cooks Hill Surf Club has a number of amenities available for those visiting the walk.
Toilets and showers are located at the surf club, as well as a takeaway shop and tables and chairs.
