Four-time surfing world champion Mark Richards says the waves are consistently among the best in the region and, on their day, are up there with some of the top breaks in the world. That’s a big reason why Merewether Beach is one of just 20 National Surfing Reserves in Australia.

But its beauty is about much more than the swell.

The beach is home to the largest and, arguably, most spectacular ocean baths in the Southern Hemisphere, which reopened in late 2014 after Newcastle City Council’s $4 million refurbishment.

The old Ladies Baths a little further north add a touch of history to the beach, while the redeveloped Surf House, with its cafes, restaurant and function rooms, provide a perfect vantage point above.

Perhaps the greatest improvement in recent years has been Council’s construction of the Bathers Way - one of our Priority Projects.

The continuous shared footpath that runs from Merewether Baths to Bar Beach is a magnet for thousands of people of all ages and abilities each week. It’s the perfect showcase of what our great city has to offer, and a prime example of how Council is working hard to make Newcastle a better place for everyone.

The timing of the 2018 edition of the 101 Best Australian Beaches list, produced by Global Beach Ambassador for Tourism Australia Brad Farmer, could hardly be better. We’re in the midst of a spectacular summer, the school holidays are in full swing and Surfest is just around the corner.

This year is Surfest’s 33rd installment, which Council is proud to sponsor once again, and I urge everyone to get to Merewether Beach and enjoy this annual celebration of sun, surf and sand.