Officially opened in April 2015, the Newcastle Memorial Walk is a scenic 450-metre-long bridge and boardwalk dedicated to honouring the memory of soldiers who fell during the First World War.
Along the way, several viewing platforms offer visitors stunning views of Newcastle, its beautiful beaches, and the surrounding coastline.
The Newcastle Memorial Walk is one of many attractions and activities in our guide to the best things to do in Newcastle.
| Memorial Walk | |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 450 m (one way) |
| Duration: | 30 minutes |
| Grade: | Easy (steps) |
| Wheel-friendly: | First section |
| Dogs: | Not allowed |
Getting There
Limited parking is available at Strzelecki Lookout, the official starting point of the Newcastle Memorial Walk (see location on map).
Street parking is also available along Memorial Drive. Alternatively, you can park at the large Bar Beach car park further down the road, allowing you to enjoy the Memorial Walk from south to north.
Public transport is also a convenient option. Bus route 21 connects the Memorial Walk with Newcastle CBD, The Junction, and Hamilton Station.
The closest bus stop is located on High Street, just a short stroll from the starting point of the walkway.
About the Memorial Walk
The Newcastle Memorial Walk was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC’s landing at Gallipoli, as well as the beginning of Newcastle’s steel industry.
The design and construction of this stunning addition to Newcastle’s coastline were funded largely by Newcastle Council and BHP Billiton.
BHP Billiton established its first steel-making facilities in Newcastle in 1915, the same year Allied forces landed at Gallipoli.
This connection is one reason why 64 tonnes of solid steel were used to construct the 160-metre-long bridge.
Given its exposed location near the ocean and in a high-wind area, the most durable materials were required to ensure the bridge’s strength and resilience.
The boardwalk atop the bridge is decorated with steel silhouettes of soldiers, engraved with thousands of family names of men and women from Newcastle and the Hunter Valley who served in the Great War.
You’ll also find informative panels detailing aspects of the war, including listings of locations where other battles took place.
Strzelecki Lookout
The 450-metre-long Memorial Walk is divided into two main sections. The first section begins at the popular Strzelecki Lookout and takes you across the bridge to the next major viewing platform.
The second section features a stairway that connects the Memorial Walk to the Bathers Way and Memorial Drive.
The Bathers Way is a 6-kilometre coastal walk stretching from Nobbys Lighthouse in the north to Merewether Ocean Baths in the south.
For visitors from outside Newcastle, exploring parts of the Bathers Way is highly recommended, as it rivals Sydney’s iconic Bondi to Coogee Walk.
The Newcastle Memorial Walk also provides visitors with panoramic 360-degree views of the city, its beaches, and the ocean.
Additionally, the walkway is illuminated after dark, making it accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Pram and wheelchair access extends to the Trip Point lookout towards the end of the boardwalk. From there, the Memorial Walk links back to Memorial Drive via 138 stairs.
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the walkway. They will need to use the footpath below along Memorial Drive.
Watch this video to get a good impression of how the Newcastle Memorial Walk was constructed:
