Port Stephens

With pristine shores and crystal-clear waters, the idyllic coastal region of Port Stephens is a great place to base yourself while travelling through New South Wales.

With numerous beaches to enjoy, the best time to visit Port Stephens is ideally during the summer months, when the sea temperature warms. Having said that, if you’re planning to stay in the cooler months, it’s all good, with an abundance of attractions for nature lovers and thrill seekers alike.

D’Albora Marina is centrally located in town and is a great place to slow down and unwind. Down on the dock, you’ll find a booking office with a staggering array of options. If you’d like to splurge on a tour, it doesn’t get much easier than this. It’s also an excellent spot for lunch, with many cafés, bars, and restaurants offering scenic views.

If you have a few dollars to spare, a boat tour is highly recommended as Nelson Bay is teeming with wildlife. Within the bay, a large population of Bottle-Nosed Dolphins can be spotted year-round as this is their home. Indeed, hop on a tour, and it won’t be long before you’ll be viewing the dolphins from the decks. Some tour operators have even gone to the trouble of equipping their boats so that you can swim with the dolphins.

Whales can also be spotted on their migration to northern breeding grounds from mid-May to Early September — returning to Arctic waters with their newborn calves from mid-September to mid-October. Nelson Bay is a known resting point for these whales as they make their way up and down the coast, and whale-watching tours are very popular.

With so many paid tours and activities to tempt you, a few freebies will come in handy. The good news is we’ve tracked down many of the region’s best, with some astounding attractions to be discovered. People love Port Stephens, and for good reason. Sit back and relax, as the following free things to see and do in Port Stephens are sure to have you smiling from ear to ear and leave a lasting impression.

At the top of an attractive list of things to do within the Port Stephens region, the Tomaree Head Summit Walk is one powerhouse of a lookout. Indeed, New South Wales would have but a few lookouts that rival this one. Perched atop a volcanic peak rising 161 metres above Nelson Bay’s entrance, the views from this natural pyramid are astounding, with visual interest to be taken in from all directions.

While reaching the summit is via a relatively short and well-formed track, the grade is very steep to the top, which will inevitably get the blood flowing. Thankfully, the trail is well constructed, with access to the top via sealed paths and steel staircases.

From the top, much of Nelson Bay and the greater Port Stephens region can be taken in. Looking south along the coastline, Zenith Beach, Wreck Beach and Box Beach all make an appearance. Far off in the distance, Shark Island and Port Stephens Lighthouse round out the view. Looking north, visitors can take in the entrance of Nelson Bay with Yacaaba Headland on the far side of the passage. Look west, and you’ll have the entire harbour of Port Stephens to view, whilst looking east, the open ocean fills the scene.

In short, this steep yet relatively short hike is well and truly worth the effort.

One of the most popular attractions of Port Stephens would have to be Shoal Bay. With pristine sands and crystal-clear water, it’s the perfect place to take a load off and enjoy this incredible natural environment. Framed by the majestic headlands of Tomaree National Park and Mount Yacaaba on the opposite side of the bay, the atmosphere of this beach is immersive — melting away the slightest of concerns and heightening one’s sense of peace at the same time.

Part of the mainstream appeal of Shoal Bay is its proximity to a string of cafés, bars, ice creameries and take-away stores which line the opposite side of the foreshore — perfect for lunch or any number of treats. The foreshore also has a large grassy landing complete with picnic facilities overlooking the bay.

Note that in peak times parking can be a hassle along Shoal Bay Road. If a lack of parking is preventing you from having a good time, you’ll be pleased to know that Shoal Bay is a long beach with another pocket of paradise to be found. Unlike the uber-busy main street, you’ll usually find plenty of parking along Beach Road, which has several beach access points to the lesser-visited left-hand end of Shoal Bay. While you’ll be further away from the shops, the views and atmosphere at this end of the beach are just as good, minus the crowds.

As the next beach inland from Shoal Bay, Little Beach is another gem of Nelson Bay that is also worth a mention. The main point of difference that this beach has over others is the grassy bank which seamlessly adjoins the sand. It’s highly popular with families and a great place to pitch a shade tent and make a day of it.

In one of the most impressive seaside environments that you’ll find anywhere in the state, it doesn’t get much better than Birubi Point. A local favourite, there’s much to enjoy here.

Firstly, the open-water beach is patrolled by the Birubi Point Surf Life Saving Club, which received a new multi-million-dollar surf club in 2013. If you’re feeling hungry, the surf club has a kiosk that serves reasonably priced lunchtime snacks. For those looking for a bite to eat with ‘wow’ views, Crest Café is also within the surf club’s complex, with scenery extending right down the coast from its dining tables.

The surf club is perched atop a volcanic headland with super-easy access to the club’s roof only moments from the carpark. Standing on the roof of the surf club will enable you to take in Stockton Beach, one of New South Wales’ most captivating natural wonders. Stretching along the coastline for 32 kilometres, Stockton Beach is the largest moving dune system in the Southern Hemisphere — and what a view it creates.

If you’d prefer to picnic by the sea from the back of your car, the good news is the vast stretch of Stockton Beach is accessible to four-wheel-drive enthusiasts.

Stockton Beach is located within the Worimi Conservation Lands. The 4200-hectare Worimi Conservation Lands are managed by the local Worimi Traditional Owners, in partnership with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. For more information on Stockton Beach and the Worimi Conservation Lands, including beach campsites, see here. If you’re simply looking to explore this vast natural phenomenon by car, you’ll need to obtain a permit to drive on the beach. The permit can be purchased from various outlets in and around the region; all the relevant details are available here.

Finally, camel train tours, 4WD tour buses and sandboarding can all be booked from the bottom carpark of Birubi Point, making this a beach that appeals to many interests and tastes.

Another favourite destination in Port Stephens, Fingal Bay sees a flurry of travellers and holiday-makers alike each summer. On a bright and sunny day, Fingal Bay is divine, with turquoise waters and an expansive atmosphere that only an open-water beach can provide.

A walk along the length of the beach is highly recommended. At the far left-hand end, you’ll reach Fingal Spit — a sandy crossing that emerges at low tide and connects the mainland to Shark Island.

Get the tide right, and you’ll have the pleasure of walking out to Shark Island, where amazing views await. From the far side of the spit, at the base of the island, you can look back towards the mainland and admire the string of headlands extending north through Tomaree National Park. Some visitors even pack light and settle in at the foot of the island for a while — so impressive is the view. Whether you linger or simply take it all in, allow plenty of time to make your way back before the tide rolls in.

Another great lookout over Nelson Bay and its surrounds is Gan Gan Lookout. As the highest lookout in the area, this lofty vantage point is set well back from the coastline with panoramic views in almost all directions. There is also a large stand of Gymea Lilies surrounding the lookout. Should they be in bloom, you’ll be in for a real treat. Interestingly, the stalks of these lilies can grow to an incredible five metres in height, can be eaten and were used by the Aborigines as spears.

Undoubtedly, you’ll pass the turnoff to Gan Gan Lookout as you drive into Port Stephens, making this 20-minute detour well worth it. Unlike Tomaree Head, Gan Gan Lookout is super easy to get to, with a small carpark only moments from the lookout itself. To see this vantage point in its best light, aim to be at the lookout from midday onwards, as the sun will be above or behind you.