A quiet, sheltered north-facing surf beach tucked between the headlands of the greater Caves Beach coastal strip in Lake Macquarie, roughly 25 minutes south of Newcastle CBD. Hams Beach is well-known locally for its long wide stretch of clean golden sand, small gentle surf break suitable for beginner bodyboarders and family swimming, rocky headlands at either end perfect for rock fishing at low tide, and its reputation as one of the most reliable year-round dog-friendly beaches in the entire Lake Macquarie LGA.

Dog access at Hams Beach is managed by Lake Macquarie City Council under a signed 3-zone structure along the length of the shore. The small eastern end near the rocky Caves Beach headland access stairs is the flagged patrolled swimming area over summer – this section is a NO DOGS exclusion zone at all times for public safety between the main surf club flags ramp and the rocks. The middle two-thirds of Hams Beach directly in front of the main public carpark and toilet block is an ON-LEASH only time-restricted zone where dogs are permitted when walked on a short lead before 9am and after 5pm from October through March (summer daylight saving), or before 10am and after 4pm from April to September (winter off-peak). The largest and most popular exercise zone is the western third of Hams Beach running up to the rocks near Murrays Beach – this entire signed stretch is a PERMANENT 24-hour, 7-day-per-week OFF-LEASH exercise area where dogs can run freely, play fetch, dig in the soft sand and swim safely away from the main swimming flags. Dogs must remain under effective voice control at all times in the off-leash section, and aggressive dogs or dogs in season are not permitted at any point on the beach reserve.

Behind the dunes at the western end, the Hams Beach Coastal Walk links the beach reserve on-leash to Caves Beach township and the Caves Beach SLSC kiosk via a sealed shared path shaded by mature banksia and coastal tea trees, with multiple bench seats and water views along the way.