Are you planning to go to Port Stephens? Port Stephens is the perfect holiday destination, there are plenty of things to do in there. I was fortunate to live there for a while, I love living near nature, I ran everyday on the walk path across the ocean, every single day I was fascinated with the views. I’m going to show you a little about this amazing area. You’re going to love it. If you didn’t book an accommodation you can have a look on Airbnb.

Port Stephens is an easy 2.5 hours drive from Sydney, you also can take a train ( 4 hours ) and after take a bus (line 130) to Nelson Bay (1 hour), or take a bus directly to Nelson Bay, the distance is 215km. If you want, you can rent a car, a good place to do that is rentCars, prices starting from A$249.00 (3 days).  Make sure you take a comfy neck pillow and enjoy the view on the way.

The region of Port Stephens has quickly become one of the most popular holiday destinations in New South Wales. Once you find out all the incredible things there, you’ll understand why. There are many incredible beaches. I’ll show some of them.

Beautiful beaches, coastal walks, stunning sand dunes, pristine waters, national parks, hiking trails. Besides boasting some of Australia’s most amazing beaches, Port Stephens has largest moving sand dunes, a plethora of wildlife experiences with whale and dolphin watching tours.

Book your tour with a reputed operator and enjoy an adventure in Port Stephens. Most tours departing from Sydney leave by 7am or earlier.

Nelson Bay

Nelson Bay is the largest town in the Port Stephens area. Nelson Bay is a great place to stay and explore the region. This is the heart of Port Stephens. You can take a walk along the beach for sunset.

More than 100 dolphins live in Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park. Dolphin watching cruises are available all year from Nelson Bay marina, Between September and May you can swim with dolphins with Dolphin Swim Australia. If you prefer watching whale the boat tour operate between May and November, when many whales migrate along the NSW coast.

Dolphin Cruise with Swim Option

Hop into the boat and set off across the ocean in search of dolphins, depending on the tour you booked you can swim in the ocean. Put sunscreen on and enjoy the sun warming your skin and wind whipping in your hair. So don’t forget to bring water, sunscreen and a hat, but be careful, you can lose your hat if it is too large.

After the dolphin sighting tour is done, you can enjoy a barbecue in the park.

Nelson Bay Bike Hire

The Bike Hire Station is open 24 hours everyday. There are two stations, one at The Visitor Information Center – 60 Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay, and Fingal Bay Holiday Park at Fingal Bay. Each station has 8 bikes, 4 with child seats, 2 with baskets and 2 children bikes. Just remember you can not drop bikes at another station.
There are over 25kms of bike paths, explore Tomaree Point National Park, Tomaree lookout, Nelson Bay Lighthouse, Shoal Bay, Fingal Bay and Corlette, all the views across the bay and ocean.

Nelson Bay area has many bike paths and quiet streets to explore.

Dolphin Swim Australia

This activity provides a thrilling experience, where you are so close to the dolphins, each tour includes training with a professional, all necessary equipment, a four hour cruise aboard, you can book this activity at Dolphin Swim Australia.

Shoal Bay

This is an amazing beach with a wonderful sunset. You can do a stand-up paddleboarding at Shoal Bay, the price varies depending on the day AU 25 – AU 45.

Sand Dune

You can have fun in Anna Bay by going quad biking on the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Book your tour with Get your guide to Sandboarding & 4WD Sand Dune Tour or Sand Dune Adventures to 1 Hour Quad Bike Adventure Tour, reserve your spot ahead of time.

After a drive to base and check-in, you’ll be given a safety briefing before jumping in this adventure. The quad bikes go up to speeds of 60km/h, there are small quad bikes with speed limits.

Murray’s Brewing Co

Murrary’s is the perfect spot to enjoy a meal and their flavorful beers and cider. Set on a stunning property with exuberant fields and a amazing outdoor beer garden.

Irukandji with Shark & Ray Encounters

Up de road in Anna Bay Irukanji Shark & Ray Encounters is a unique and interactive aquarium. You will experience ocean life in a different way, you will learn the fascinating underwater world while change your mind about the animals that are considered dangerous species. They allow you to get up close to a variety of rays and sharks. You can buy your ticket at Get Your Guide.

Oakvale Wildlife Park

Oakvale Wildlife Park is popular with families year round. There are loads of fun waterpark activities to do with kids. Located at 3 Oakvale Drive, Salt Ash. They are open Monday to Sunday at 10am until 5pm. There are attractions that occur in specific time, so check the website for more information.
They have a space for a Birthday Party, and you can cow milking and baby animal bottle feeding. It’s a fun activity to do with kids.

You can buy a ticket or an annual membership. The entry ticket to an adult is AU29.50, to a child is AU 17.50, family pass (2 adults + 2 children) is $84.00. There are different ticket options, go to a website to check other options.

Tillgerry Koala Habitat

Do you like Koalas? Tilligerry Koala Habitat is always open for walk through at any time.

Toboggan Hill Park

In Toboggan Hill Park you can find activities for adults and kids as tractor rides, toboggan rides, indoor rock climbing, mini-golf, gyro xtreme ride, giant maze, splash down, roller skating, creation point painting.

The toboggan track is a 1km track that starts with an uphill tow of 300 metres. You are in control of the speed of your toboggan. Individual entry tickets 4 to 7 years AU 6.00 for 1 ride, 8 years or over AU 8.00 ride. You also can buy an individual activity pass  or a family activity pass.

Mount Tomaree

If you’re an early riser and love climbing, Mount Tomaree  is the perfect place for you, you can walk across the headlands to the lookout point.  Absolutely fabulous, the place offers stunning views of Port Stephens coastlines. This walk involves some steep paths and stairs, but the paths are maintained. If you are a fit person you can walk to the top from the carpark in 30 minutes. There are some people that go up running, but this is not for me yet.

Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

The Koala Sanctuary  is located an easy 55 minutes drive from Newcastle. The sanctuary was created to ensure first-class care to injured, sick and orphaned Koalas. They are open daily 9am until 5pm. The Fat Possum Café is open everyday 9am until 4pm.

The Koala Sanctuary has Koala centre, Sanctuary Story walk, Koala Hospital, Newcastle Airport Sky walk, Fat Possum Café and informative guides.

You can see the Koalas in their natural habitat, if you want, you can stay overnight in the Glamping tents to enjoy a nocturnal experience or in a Studio.

The Glamping is AU337,00 per night, you see more on the website.

Lemon Tree Passage

This amazing walk is Lemon Tree Passage (Koala reserve), located 38 minutes drive from Nelson Bay, on the far side of the marina, Koala Reserve is a foreshore reserve set amongst the eucalypts. A boardwalk starts at this park and meanders through to Nyrang Park.

Bagnalls Beach

Only a short distance from Nelson Bay between Nelson Bay and Corlette, lies the stunning Bagnall Beach. With its crystal clear water and white sand, this beach is perfect for walking the dog or letting it run off the leash. There are many dogs at the end of the day. In the morning and in the end of the day you can marvel at gliding swans which come to feed on the seagrass.

There are three areas to the reserve which provide access to the beach, with a walking / cycling path which goes through the Bagnalls Beach reserve, there are seats available along the track, playground, picnic area, BBQ and toilets.

Dutchmans Beach

Dutchmans Beach, also called Dutchies Beach by the local community, offers calm water swimming and sand for sandcastle building. There are grassy areas with a barbecue area and playground. There is a beautiful walking path that takes you into Nelson Bay with amazing waterviews, if you travel to the opposite side, the path leads to Bagnalls Beach and Corlette.

There are public amenities, playground, barbecue, picnic tables, outdoor shower, cycle and pedestrian path, car parking and a dinghy storage.

What is your favorite place in Port Stephens? I love Nelson Bay beach, I have been there many times with my niece to play in the playground. The city is so quiet, perfect to relax and escape from stressful days.

There are other places that you can visit