Caves Beach

Caves Beach sits on Caves Beach Road at Caves Beach, on the Lake Macquarie coast just south of Newcastle. A genuinely beautiful and distinctive beach, it's famous for the dramatic sea caves at its southern end — explorable at low tide — alongside a gorgeous stretch of golden sand, clear water and a relaxed, scenic setting that's made it a beloved spot for swimming, exploring and seaside days out.

The appeal is that combination of a beautiful beach and a genuinely unique feature: the chance to explore the famous sea caves at low tide, plus lovely sand and water for swimming and relaxing. It's a wonderful spot for a swim, a beach day, some rock-pool and cave exploring or simply taking in the scenery, with a character all its own.

With a 4.8 rating from more than 1,000 reviews, it's clearly a much-loved beach. It's free and open year-round, but the caves are only accessible around low tide (always check tide times and conditions, as the tide can come in quickly), and swimming conditions, parking and facilities vary — so it's worth checking tides and conditions before you go, taking sun protection, and swimming between the flags when patrolled, while enjoying the sand and the famous caves at Caves Beach.