Port Stephens is a stunning natural harbour about 2.5 hours north of Sydney and 30 minutes from Newcastle. The bay is home to a permanent pod of around 140 bottlenose dolphins, and the surrounding area offers enormous sand dunes, pristine beaches, excellent fishing, and some of the best whale watching on the NSW coast.
Getting There
Port Stephens is about 200 kilometres north of Sydney via the M1 Motorway and Nelson Bay Road, roughly a 2.5-hour drive. From Newcastle, it's just 30 minutes east. There's no train service, but coaches run from Sydney and Newcastle. The main town is Nelson Bay, on the southern side of the harbour. Newcastle Airport (Williamtown) is actually located in Port Stephens, making it easy to fly in from other Australian cities.
Getting Around
Port Stephens is spread across a wide area - Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, Anna Bay, Soldiers Point, and Fingal Bay are all separate communities. Having a car is essential for getting between them. Local buses connect some areas but services are limited. There's free parking at most beaches and attractions. If you don't have a car, many tour operators offer pick-up from accommodation in Nelson Bay. Cycling is increasingly popular along the waterfront paths.
Dolphin Watching
Port Stephens is known as the dolphin capital of Australia. A permanent pod of around 140 bottlenose dolphins lives in the harbour, and sightings on cruises are virtually guaranteed. Several operators run dolphin-watching cruises daily from Nelson Bay marina, typically lasting 1.5-2 hours. Some offer boom-net rides where you ride in a net dragged behind the boat alongside the dolphins. From June to November, many dolphin cruises also encounter migrating humpback whales.
Stockton Bight Sand Dunes
The Stockton Bight Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, stretching over 32 kilometres along the coast. They rise up to 30 metres high and the landscape is otherworldly, like a desert meeting the ocean. Activities include:
- Sandboarding: Multiple operators hire boards and take you to the best dunes. It's an absolute blast.
- Quad Biking: Guided quad bike tours through the dunes are popular and don't require experience.
- Camel Rides: Oakfield Ranch offers camel rides through the dunes, a unique and photogenic experience.
- 4WD Tours: Guided 4WD tours take you deep into the dune system.
Tomaree Head Summit Walk
This short but steep walk (about 20 minutes each way) takes you to the top of Tomaree Head, a volcanic headland at the entrance to Port Stephens harbour. The 360-degree views from the summit are some of the best in NSW, looking out over the harbour, Broughton Island, the sand dunes, and down the coast. Go at sunrise or sunset for the most spectacular light.
Beaches
- Shoal Bay: A beautiful, calm bay beach in Nelson Bay. Great for families and swimming.
- Fingal Bay: A stunning beach at the base of Tomaree Head. Calm, crystal-clear water and a lovely walk along the spit.
- One Mile Beach: A surf beach in Anna Bay with great waves and more space than the bay beaches.
- Zenith Beach: Accessed by a bush track, this secluded beach sits below Tomaree Head and is one of the most scenic in the area.
- Birubi Beach: Right at the start of the sand dunes, this wide beach offers great surf and connects to the Stockton dune system.
Where to Eat
- The Retreat: (Nelson Bay): Port Stephens' best restaurant, modern Australian with excellent local seafood. Mains $35-48.
- Rick Stein at Bannisters: (Soldiers Point): Celebrity chef Rick Stein's outpost serving excellent seafood with Asian influences. Mains $36-52.
- Merret's at Nelson Bay: Waterfront dining at the marina with great fish and chips and a full menu. Mains $22-38.
- Little Beach Boathouse: A gorgeous waterfront cafe perfect for breakfast or a casual lunch. Dishes $14-26.
- The Anchorage: (Corlette): Relaxed waterfront dining with bay views. Great for a sunset drink and dinner.
Where to Stay
- Budget: Samurai Beach Bungalows (backpacker-style near One Mile Beach), Shoal Bay Holiday Park.
- Mid-Range: Ramada Resort Shoal Bay, Oaks Pacific Blue Resort.
- Luxury: Bannisters Port Stephens (boutique luxury at Soldiers Point), Anchorage Port Stephens.
Walks & Nature
Beyond Tomaree Head, Port Stephens has several excellent walks:
- Gan Gan Hill Lookout: A short walk to the highest point in Port Stephens with panoramic views over the bay, the dunes, and surrounding bushland. The lookout platform is wheelchair accessible.
- Tilligerry Habitat Reserve: A beautiful bush walk through koala habitat. Koalas are regularly spotted in the wild here, along with echidnas and various bird species.
- Worimi Conservation Lands: The Aboriginal-managed lands surrounding the Stockton sand dunes are culturally significant and offer guided Indigenous cultural tours.
- Broughton Island: A National Parks-managed island accessible by boat from Nelson Bay. Offers excellent snorkelling, diving, and bushwalking. Overnight camping is available with a permit.
Practical Tips
- Weather: Similar to Newcastle - warm summers, mild winters. The bay is calm and swimmable year-round, while the ocean beaches can have stronger surf. Summer temperatures average 25-30°C, winter 15-20°C. - Whale Watching: June to November, with peak season around September-October. Humpback whales pass close to the headlands. Tomaree Head and Gan Gan Lookout are excellent land-based viewing points. - Fishing: Port Stephens is one of the best fishing destinations in NSW. Charter boats depart from Nelson Bay for game fishing and reef trips. The annual Blue Water Fishing Classic is held in March. - Koala Sanctuary: The Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary at One Mile Beach offers guided koala spotting tours in a natural bush setting. It's a rehabilitation and research centre. - Markets: The Port Stephens Fisherman's Wharf has fresh seafood daily. Nelson Bay markets run on select Sundays with local produce, crafts, and food stalls. - Scuba Diving: The waters around Broughton Island and Halifax Park are some of the best dive sites in NSW, with grey nurse sharks, wobbegongs, and spectacular underwater caves.
AUBIS Tip
: Port Stephens pairs perfectly with Newcastle and the Hunter Valley for a 3-4 day getaway from Sydney. Use AUBIS to plan your itinerary, combining dolphin cruises, sand dune adventures, and wine tasting into one seamless trip. The platform makes it easy to coordinate transport and timing across these nearby destinations.