The Best Travel Guide to Port Stephens

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Port Stephens

Provided by: Hamilton Lund/Destination NSW for Port Stephens

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Oceania Australia Port Stephens

In collaboration with Destination NSW for Port Stephens

Overview

Port Stephens The guide was updated: 2022-01-21

Blessed with 26 white sandy beaches, a vast blue bay and many tranquil inlets, Port Stephens is an idyllic destination about 2.5 hours' drive north of Sydney. With a marine park rich in diversity, the area is famous for its resident dolphins, crystal clear waters and towering sand dunes. Daily dolphin-watching cruises depart from Nelson Bay and the ocean is great for watching whales during their annual migration. Charming towns are framed by bushland, wetlands and volcanic peaks. Enjoy fresh seafood and local wines in delightful settings.

Facts

Population:	65,000 approx
Currency:	1 Australian Dollar = 100 cents
Emergency numbers:	Police, Fire, Ambulance 000
Newspapers:	Newcastle Herald The Port Stephens Examiner The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) The Daily Telegraph (NSW) The Australian (national)
Website:	www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/port-stephens-area/
Opening hours:	Usually 9am – 5pm Monday to Saturday Weekend hours can be restricted.
Tourist information:	Port Stephens Visitor Information Office, 60 Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay, NSW 2315 Open 7 days a week from 9am – 5p.m. Phone: +61 2 4980 6900 or 1800 808 900 info@portstephens.org.au www.portstephens.org.au

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Section in Port Stephens

Top Things to Do

Discover wonderful beaches and frolicking dolphins in Port Stephens, where you can enjoy exhilarating water sports such as sailing, kayaking, surfing and snorkelling. Choose from various dolphin-watching cruises departing from Nelson Bay. Other exciting activities include quad-biking and sand-boarding on the towering Stockton sand dunes, and horseriding through the surf at Anna Bay. Explore the many walking trails in magnificent national parks.

Beautiful Beaches

Beautiful Beaches

Port Stephens is known for its unspoilt beaches with perfect surf breaks or sheltered bays for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking. Or try parasailing over the bay. Walk along the beach at Shoal Bay to Tomaree Headland for splendid panoramas. At sunset, kayak with dolphins at Nelson Bay and Soldiers Point. Fingal Bay Beach has its own island. Surfers will be thrilled by One Mile Beach, Birubi Beach, Zenith Beach, Box Beach, or Samurai Beach. Families will love One Mile Beach, Boat Harbour and Birubi Beach.

Swim with Dolphins

Swim with Dolphins

Dolphin Swim Australia remains the only permitted wild dolphin swim in NSW, licensed by the Marine Park Authority to operate in the Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park. Aboard an ocean-going catamaran, qualified dive masters take you through the most amazing experience of your life, frolicking with short-beaked common dolphins and oceanic bottlenose dolphins.

Tomaree National Park - Fingal Bay

Tomaree National Park - Fingal Bay

Tomaree National Park is a magnificent backdrop to the charming coastal towns of Port Stephens. It's the only place in NSW where you can see outcrops of the acid volcanic rock rhyodacite. The stunning rocky bush coastline is a delight for walkers – take the short Wreck Beach trail through angophora forest – and great for whale watching. Check out the historic gun emplacements of Fort Tomaree. And take your fishing rod – the fish bite well.

Whale Watching

Whale Watching

Port Stephens is a top spot to see humpbacks and southern right whales during their annual migration. From mid May to early September thousands of whales move north to their breeding grounds, and from mid September to mid October they migrate south - you may spot mothers playing with their newborn calves in the calmer waters. Watch them from Tomaree Head Summit - or get up close on a tour from Nelson Bay.

Sand Dune Adventures

Sand Dune Adventures

Ride on quad bikes from the bush to the beach, traversing magnificent sand dunes and learning about Aboriginal culture in the Worimi Conservation Lands. On a Sand Dune Adventures tour, riding a 400 cc bike, you’ll be in awe of the area’s natural beauty. Expert Aboriginal guides will lead you through the Southern Hemisphere’s largest moving coastal sand dunes, some rising more than 30 metres. You’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal foods and how to find fresh water.

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