Newcastle has one of the finest strings of urban beaches in Australia. They begin at Nobbys Beach, just below the lighthouse headland, and run south through Newcastle Beach — with its Ocean Baths — to Bar Beach and Merewether, each with its own character. The ocean baths at both Newcastle and Merewether are tidal pools cut into the rock platform, good for lap swimming when the surf is rough. All are reachable on foot from the city centre, and all are patrolled by surf lifesavers in summer.