South of Newcastle beach is 2 km long section of cliffed coast, peaking at 75 m high Shepherd Hill. Just south of the hill is a gap in the rocks occupied by Susan Gilmour beach (NSW 244). The 100 m long sandy beach is named after the 'Susan Gilmour' an American ship wrecked there in 1884. A surf club was formed in 1931, however problems in gaining recognition from the council, which in fact erected a sign warning people against swimming at the beach, lead to the closure of the club in 1938. The beach is reached by walking round the wide rock platform from Bar Beach, and has another platform on the north side. The size and width of the beach varies with wave conditions. At its best it consists of a beach fronted by an attached bar, with rips running out against both sets of rocks. When waves exceed 1 m it is more rip than beach. read more

Beach Length: 0.1km