A short 50-minute drive north from Newcastle in New South Wales is Port Stephens, a dream beach holiday destination for surfers, divers, adventurers and marine and native animal lovers. Book some accommodation in Port Stephens for a picture-perfect holiday or short stay. Designed for an easy getaway, even boasting its own airport, this spot is perfect for family holidays, couple escapes and group getaways.
When looking for accommodation in Port Stephens there are many options across the mostly waterfront suburbs of Anna Bay, Boat Harbour, Corlette, Fingal Bay, Fishermans Bay, Karuah, Lemon Tree Passage, Mallabula, Nelson Bay, One Mile, Oyster Cove, Salamander Bay, Shoal Bay, Soldiers Point, Swan Bay, Tanilba Bay and Taylors Beach. Visit Search and Stay to find beachfront holiday homes.
If your idea of a holiday is a farm stay, country cottage or cosy cabin getaway. Further south is the rural communities of Bobs Farm, Fern Bay, Fullerton Cove, Salt Ash, Tomago and Williamtown, Grab a holiday cabin at Search and Stay.
Relish in the sanctuary of the spectacular Port Stephens beaches and waterways and there are many ways to fill your day in Port Stephens.
Extreme Sand
If 4WD driving on sand dunes, sandboarding, quad biking and even camel rides are your idea of fun, Port Stephen’s is right up your alley. Located on the Worimi Conservation Lands, the Stockton Sand Dunes happen to be the largest moving coastal dunes in the southern hemisphere. They stretch for 32 kilometres from Stockton Beach near Newcastle, all the way up to Birubi Beach in Anna Bay, Port Stephens. Start your list of things to do at Bruibi Beach, some of the sand dune hills get up to 30 metres high, making them awesome for sandboarding. Next to Birubi Point Surf Club, there is a road that leads down to the meeting area for all the tours of the sand dunes. There are plenty of options for the adventurous - sandboarding down the dunes, riding camels over the sand, taking 4WD tours into the hills and quad biking along the beach and dunes. Check out Port Stephens 4WD, Sand Dune Safaris, 4WD Tag-Along and Passenger Tours, 4WD Tours R Us, Sand Dune Adventures, Oakfield Ranch Camel Rides, Sahara Trails Horse Riding and Quad Bike King Adventure Tours. If you would like to take your own 4WD onto the beachfront, click here for details.
Climb a Mountain
Here's a walk that offers the reward of 360-degree views of the bay, islands and surrounding beaches. Called Mount Tomaree, at the entrance to Nelson Bay is Tomaree Head and Yacaaba Head. Soaring 161 metres above the Port Stephens entrance, the headland boasts a well-established track to the summit which features some steps and steep sections. Looking east from the summit, you will be able to see all of the local islands including Cabbage Tree, Boondelbah, Broughton and Little island, as well as Fingal Island and Lighthouse. When you reach the top lookout for some of Port Stephens 150 resident bottlenose dolphins.
Dive into the Bay
The bay has some terrific snorkeling and scuba diving options all year round. The marine reserve at Fly Point has previously been rated as one of the best shore dive sites in Australia, with schooling fish, octopus, turtles, sponges, and underwater rock shelves Fly Point is teeming with marine life. Other popular places to snorkel and dive include Seahorse Gardens, Halifax Point, Pipeline and areas of Shoal Bay.
Bike the Bay
Many areas of the bay are perfect for bike riding, particularly around Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay. These areas have well-established scenic bike routes, flat pavement and are surrounded by trees with great places to stop along the way for a quick swim, coffee or ice cream. Check out Port Stephens on a bike.
Explore the Lighthouse and Reserve
Without a doubt, one of the best views in Port Stephens has to be located at Nelson Head Heritage Lighthouse and Reserve. At 53m above sea level, in 1875 the site was chosen as the lighthouse site as it boasted some of the best water views inside the bay. Enjoy Boondelbah Island and the clear waters of Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay. The Lighthouse now operates as a museum of local history and is also home to Inner Light Tea Rooms is a heritage-listed Nelson Bay café overlooking the picturesque Shoal Bay. Sparkling waters and moreish meals at Inner Light Tea Rooms make for the perfect spot for breakfast and lunch.
Stand up or sit down paddle Nelson Bay
In the calm and clear waters of Nelson Bay is an idyllic spot to row a kayak or stand up paddleboard. It is a relaxing and active way to enjoy the Port Stephens, Great Lakes Marine Park. The marine park features a diverse range of habitats, including beaches, seagrass beds, mangroves, saltmarsh and open waters, which all support distinct groups of plants and animals. Enjoy a paddle around the bay and you may even come across some of Port Stephens resident bottlenose dolphins or even a Greynurse Shark or green turtle.
Time to start surfing
Not a surfer? Port Stephens is a fantastic spot to take it up. In particular, One Mile Beach is a great spot for all surfing levels. The southern end is often sheltered and has a long rolling wave from the headland into the beach. For the more experienced wanting a bigger wave, the further north you travel along One Mile Beach the more exposed the swell becomes. If the waves are too big for your liking, Fingal Bay is a great spot to learn to surf in Port Stephens.
Get close to a Koala
This is a unique opportunity to see these Aussie icons in their natural habitat. The Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary provides first-class care to sick, injured and orphaned koalas to support their long term rehabilitation and preservation. As well as a visit to the koala hospital, take the Sanctuary Story Walk, a 250-metre long meandering pathway offering an immersive educational experience telling the story of the koala and its habitat through artistic sculptural representations and the Newcastle Airport SKYwalk and viewing platform, a 225-metre high elevated pathway and viewing platform, offering a unique 'tree top' perspective into the koala’s natural habitat and a perfect photo opportunity.
Celebrate Lush Local Seafood
From local oysters to fish, prawns, lobsters and other shellfish, Port Stephens is known for its delectable seafood, not surprisingly given the spectacular waterways. Try one of the top 10 seafood restaurants in Port Stephens . The Love Seafood Tastes Port Stephens Festival, held every winter is a month-long celebration of seafood. The festival program is packed with so many ways to experience the local seafood and meet local producers and chefs with a gala dinner, seafood specials, cooking demonstrations, and a weekend celebrating all things food, wine, and jazz.
Photograph the views and Australia last squatter settlement.
There are plenty of choices when it comes to photogenic viewpoints surrounding Port Stephens. As one of the highest points in the area, Gan Gan Hill Lookout is a terrific spot to overlook the bay and surrounding waterside suburbs. The lookout itself is accessible to everyone and has scenic panoramic views of Hawks Nest to the north to Stockton Beach to the south. Or visit Tin City there is no road to this fascinating “City” which sits amid the sand dunes. Tin City began in the early 1900s when two tin shacks were built for shipwreck survivors. During the great depression of the 1930s, Tin City grew to over 36 huts. Eleven of these huts still stand today. Tin City is the last legal squatter settlement in Australia. Grab your camera and learn more about this fascinating “City” on a tin city safari. This place is a photographers paradise.
Take a trip
Travel to Tea Gardens on a 1-hour scenic ferry ride from Nelson Bay. As you cross the blue waters of the Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park, listen to informative commentary as you spot plenty of local marine life from dolphins to sea birds, fish, and even turtles. The trip takes you up the Myall River on route to Tea Gardens. Once you arrive, activities involve visiting the local art gallery, stopping in for lunch at many of the local cafes or restaurants, or paddling along the river on a kayak. Or find some accommodation in Tea Gardens for a quieter escape.
Visit Search and Stay and choose one of Port Stephen’s numerous spectacular holiday home options, there are homes near the beach or rent a house with a pool, pick one of the homes great for families, beachfront apartments, villas, studios, cabins for rent or pet-friendly accommodation in Port Stephens if you can't leave the extra furry family member behind.
Check them all out on your next holiday to the beautiful, Port Stephens region - You won't be disappointed. For more information visit Port Stephens or Australia.com.