Great North Walk: Merewether to Newcastle

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the Swell cafÃ©, this walk heads up to 'John Pde' and turns right. The walk follows the footpath alongside 'John Parade' (keeping the beach to your right) for 300m to continue straght into 'Dixon Park'. Contune up past the 'Bathers Way' sign along the footpath for another 200m (to pass alongside the carpark) and come to the picnic shelter outside the 'Dixon Park SLSC'.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Bathers Way Start heading along Bathers Way (a highway\|cycleway). There is a picnic table (about 30 m back from the start). Find the shelter at the start. After another 15 m (from the Bathers Way) continue straight, to head along Bathers Way. After another 65 m pass the "Dixon Park Beach" (on your left). After another 25 m pass the shelter (45 m on your left). After another 30 m find the "Dixon Park and Dixon Park SLSC" (6 m on your right). Dixon Park and Dixon Park SLSC Dixon Park and the Dixon Park SLSC are located in the middle of Bar beach in Merewether. Dixon Park has a large open grassed area, sheltered picnic tables, barbeques, a children's playground, toilets and tap water. The open space of Dixon Park is often used for hangliding or kite flying. After another 10 m pass the picnic table (on your right). After another 20 m pass the toilet (20 m on your left). After another 20 m pass a seat (5 m on your right). After another 15 m (from the Bathers Way) turn right, to head along Bathers Way. After another 45 m pass the car park (30 m on your left). After another 50 m pass the picnic table (15 m on your left). From the Bathers Way continue straight, to head along Bathers Way.
	After another 220 m (from the Bathers Way) turn right, to head along Bathers Way. After another 9 m (from the Bathers Way) continue straight, to head along Bathers Way. After another 80 m pass the water tap (4 m on your right). Then pass the picnic table (5 m on your right). After another 55 m pass the shelter (4 m on your right). After another 130 m pass the shelter (5 m on your right). After another 20 m pass the "Empire Park" (20 m on your left). After another 135 m pass the picnic table (15 m on your right). After another 40 m pass a seat (on your right). After another 35 m pass the shelter (20 m on your right). After another 40 m pass the car park (on your left).
	From the Bathers Way continue straight, to head along Bathers Way.
	After another 35 m (from the Bathers Way) continue straight, to head along Bathers Way. Keep left. After another 70 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your right). After another 40 m pass the "Bar Beach Car Park" (on your left).
	After another 350 m (from the Bathers Way) turn right (a steps). Then head down the steps (about 8 m long) After another 40 m head down the metal steps (about 9 m long) After another 50 m head down the metal steps (about 70 m long) After another 25 m pass the water tap (on your left). Then cross the bridge (about 320 m long) Then pass the "Shepherds Hill" (15 m on your left). After another 10 m come to the viewpoint (on your right). After another 305 m (from the Memorial Walk) continue straight. After another 9 m continue straight. After another 15 m find the "Strzelecki Lookout" (7 m on your right). Strzelecki Lookout Strzelecki Lookout, atop the hill, is named in honor of the Polish geologist and explorer whose chemical analyses and research into coal deposits from 1839-45 influenced the development of the region. Wonderful views of the coastline south are available here and if you are lucky, you will see a hanglider taking off. Then head through the bollard. After another 15 m pass the park (10 m on your right). Continue straight.
	After another 50 m (at the intersection of High Street & Bathers Way) veer left, to head along High Street.
	After another 10 m (at the intersection of Memorial Drive & High Street) turn right, to head along Memorial Drive (a road).
	After another 6 m (at the intersection of Cliff Street & High Street) turn right, to head along Cliff Street (a residential road).
	After another 100 m (from the The Terrace) continue straight, to head along The Terrace.
	After another 30 m (at the intersection of York Drive & The Terrace) turn right, to head along York Drive (a service road). After another 30 m head through/around the gate. dawn-21:00 Then find the "Shepherds Hill" (65 m on your right). Shepherds Hill Shepherds Hill is located just south of King Edward Park (off The Terrace in Newcastle). Shepherds Hill is an exposed headland with wonderful views along the coastline. During World War Two, Shepherds Hill was home to gun emplacements, pits, a 100 metre-long tunnel and observation posts. The gun was designed to be a discrete, hard-to-spot weapon which would contract downwards, below its parapet to be reloaded. Shepherds Hill also housed a World War Two radar station. Shepherds Hill is named after a survey report that called it â€˜Sheep Pasture Hillâ€™ after its resemblance to English countryside. Hang-gliding is also very common from the hilltop.
	After another 90 m (from the York Drive) turn left (a footpath).
	After another 120 m continue straight. After another 25 m pass the playground (15 m on your right). Then pass the toilet (20 m on your right). Then pass the shelter (25 m on your right).
	Turn left. After another 20 m pass the BBQ (on your right). After another 20 m pass the "King Edward Park Fountain" (about 15 m ahead). Then find the "King Edward Park" (30 m on your right). King Edward Park King Edward Park is a large hilly park with established trees, abutting the ocean just 500m from the centre of Newcastle. King Edward Park has toilets, barbeques, a childrenâ€™s playground, an historic water fountain and flower gardens. King Edward Park was once referred to as the â€˜lungs of Newcastleâ€™ as it supplied a natural parkland in contrast to the increasing urbanization of the nineteenth century.
	Turn right.
	Continue straight.
	After another 80 m turn right.
	After another 15 m turn left.
	After another 10 m (from the Reserve Road) turn right, to head along Reserve Road (a road).
	After another 45 m (at the intersection of Wolfe Street & Reserve Road) turn left, to head along Wolfe Street (a residential road).
	After another 9 m (from the Wolfe Street) turn right (a footpath).
	After another 8 m turn left. After another 140 m pass the picnic table (30 m on your right).
	Continue straight. After another 75 m come to the viewpoint (30 m on your right). After another 5 m find the "The Obelisk" (40 m on your right). The Obelisk This white stone monument sits above the city of Newcastle, on a green grassy knoll. The Obelisk Park is popular and gives views across the Lower Hunter Plains. The Obelisk was first erected in 1850, to replace the windmill that had stood there before it. The Obelisk was erected to act as a navigational aid for ships. On the grassy knoll is a water fountain and a large sundial. After another 35 m pass the picnic table (50 m on your right).
	After another 85 m continue straight.
	Continue straight.
	After another 20 m turn left. After another 25 m pass the picnic table (35 m on your right).
	Turn left.
	After another 15 m (from the Newcomen Street) continue straight. After another 40 m pass the car park (6 m on your right).
	From the Ordnance Street continue straight.
	After another 10 m continue straight. After another 135 m pass the car park (50 m on your right).
	After another 115 m turn right.
	After another 2 m turn left. After another 10 m pass the "Cathedral grounds" (65 m on your left). Then pass the car park (80 m on your left).
	From the Church Street turn right, to head along Church Street (a residential road). After another 200 m pass the car park (80 m on your right).
	At the intersection of Bolton Street & Church Street turn left, to head along Bolton Street.
	After another 10 m (from the Bolton Street) continue straight, to head along Bolton Street. After another 120 m pass the "Bolton Street Car Parking Station" (10 m on your left). This car park is wheelchair accessible. After another 40 m pass the artwork (9 m on your left). After another 105 m pass the "Bolton Street Pantry" (15 m on your right).
	From the Bolton Street continue straight, to head along Bolton Street. Then pass the "Kitami King Street" (65 m on your right).
	After another 7 m (at the intersection of Bolton Street & King Street) continue straight, to head along Bolton Street. After another 25 m pass the "Good Brother" (35 m on your right). After another 155 m pass the "Valerie’s Pizza" (55 m on your left).
	From the Bolton Street continue straight, to head along Bolton Street.
	After another 8 m (at the intersection of Bolton Street & Hunter Street) continue straight, to head along Bolton Street. After another 15 m pass the "Fruit A Peel" (50 m on your left).
	From the Bolton Street continue straight, to head along Bolton Street. Then pass the "Porky’s Nest" (35 m on your left). After another 20 m pass the pay phone (7 m on your right). After another 55 m pass the "Cirque" (10 m on your left). After another 80 m pass the water tap (50 m on your right). Then pass the toilet (50 m on your right).
	At the intersection of Scott Street & Bolton Street turn left, to head along Scott Street (a road). After another 110 m pass the "Ali Shiraz Kebab" (75 m on your left). Then pass the park (60 m on your right). Then pass the "Jeremiah Jones Boutique Fish and Chips" (75 m on your left). This fast-food restaurant is wheelchair accessible.
	At the intersection of Scott Street & Newcomen Street continue straight, to head along Scott Street. After another 75 m pass the shelter (5 m on your right). Then pass the "Ka-fey Cafe Bar Restaurant" (70 m on your left).
	After another 25 m (from the Scott Street) continue straight, to head along Scott Street. After another 10 m find the "Hunter Street Mall" (75 m on your left). Hunter Street Mall The Hunter Street Mall offers an open air shopping experience, with a variety of shops, cafÃƒÂ©s and services. Trading hours are Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 9am-5.30pm, Thurs:9am-9pm, Sat:9am-4pm, Sun:10am-4pm. For further information please contact the Hunter Street Mall Office on 02 4926 3477. Then pass the "Basement on Market Street" (35 m on your left). Then pass the "Three Bears Kitchen" (about 20 m ahead). W:www.threebearskitchen.com.au T:+61 2 4929 4477
	From the Scott Street turn sharp right (a footpath).
	After another 3 m (from the Newcastle Light Rail) continue straight.
	After another 8 m (from the Newcastle Light Railway) continue straight. After another 7 m pass the picnic table (25 m on your left).
	From the Scott Street veer right (a highway\|cycleway).
	After another 5 m veer left.
	After another 9 m continue straight. After another 25 m pass the "Signal Box" (15 m on your right).
	Continue straight.
	After another 9 m (from the Wharf Road) continue straight.
	After another 10 m continue straight. After another 25 m find the "Queens Wharf" (5 m on your left). Queens Wharf Queens Wharf is on the Newcastle harbour, just minutes from the centre of Newcastle. The Queens Wharf Tower is over 40m in height and open to the public. From the top of the tower, you are able to see up to 20km in all directions, particularly up and down the coastline (Note that the tower is closed in bad weather). Queens Wharf Tower, was built in 1988 and opened by Queen Elizabeth II to mark the Australian Bicentenary. The Tower was built to mark the spot where the city meets the park and the sea. Queens Wharf is home to a number of restaurants and a bar, and there is a raised pedestrian footbridge from the tower into Hunter Street Mall shops. There is a ferry service across the harbour to Stockton, which gives good views back to across the water to Newcastle City. For more information contact the Newcastle Visitor Information Centre on 02 4974 2999. Then pass the "Great North Walk". After another 6 m pass the water tap (20 m on your right).
	Turn left. After another 15 m pass a seat (on your left). After another 65 m pass the "Six Degrees Bar & Restaurant" (10 m on your left). After another 40 m pass the "Cielo Italiano" (10 m on your left). Then pass the car park (about 25 m ahead). This car park is wheelchair accessible.
	Turn right. After another 60 m pass the shelter (on your right). Then pass the picnic table (9 m on your right). After another 15 m come to a seat. About 45 m past the end is a park. About 75 m past the end is "Scratchley's Restaurant". This restaurant is wheelchair accessible.
	The end.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the York Drive Start heading along York Drive (a service road). After 35 m head into the "King Edward Park".
	After another 20 m (from the York Drive) continue straight (a footpath). After another 40 m pass the playground (15 m on your right). After another 45 m pass the shelter (15 m on your right).
	Continue straight. After another 55 m pass the picnic table (9 m on your left).
	From the Shortland Esplanade continue straight, to head along Shortland Esplanade (a service road). After another 95 m pass the "Garside Garden" (on your left).
	After another 75 m (from the Shortland Esplanade) turn right.
	After another 65 m continue straight. After another 40 m head through the bollard. After another 25 m head up the metal steps
	After another 7 m come to the end. About 10 m past the end is "Bogey Hole". Bogey Hole The Bogey Hole on Shortland Esplanade is a bathing pool that is open to the ocean. The Bogey Hole was built by convict labour for the personal pleasure of Major James T. Morriset, the military commandant from 1819-1822 who did much to improve the breakwater, roads and barracks in the settlement. Over the years, the Bogey Hole was enlarged to its present size. The name "Bogey Hole" came from the Aboriginal word meaning "to bathe". The Bogey Hole can be dangerous during high tides or times of rough seas. For more information, contact the City of Newcastle on 02 4974 2000. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 430 m to the main route.

Full Journey	Great North Walk
Start	From the Bathers Way (-32.9458617,151.7597675)
Mode	Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Ferry
Directions	From Hebburn Street, Hamilton East. Turn on to Stewart Avenue, A43 then drive for 1.3 km Turn left onto Glebe Road and drive for another 490 m Turn right onto Lingard Street and drive for another 45 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Lingard Street and drive for another 460 m Turn left onto Mitchell Street and drive for another 15 m Turn right onto Barr Street and drive for another 115 m Turn sharp right onto Frederick Street and drive for another 245 m Turn left onto Berner Street and drive for another 220 m Turn right onto Ocean Street and drive for another 60 m At roundabout, take exit 1 and drive for another 150 m Turn left and drive for another 15 m
Finish	(-32.9253091,151.7803114)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Bus Car (There is free parking available.)

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	4.3 km
Time	1 h 30 min to 3 h

Quality of track	Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Shelter	25 m	[shelter]
Shelter	125 m	[shelter]
Toilet	185 m	[toilet]
Seat	205 m	[seat]
Shelter	650 m	[shelter]
Shelter	780 m	[shelter]
Seat	980 m	[seat]
Shelter	1 km	[shelter]
Toilet	2.5 km	[toilet]
Shelter	2.5 km	[shelter]
Toilet	3.9 km	[toilet]
Shelter	4 km	[shelter]
Seat	4.1 km	[seat]
Shelter	4.2 km	[shelter]
Seat	4.3 km	[seat]

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