Port Stephens

Port Stephens is a coastal area surrounding the Port Stephens Bay, just north of Newcastle in New South Wales.

Understand

The area is very popular for its breathtaking coastal scenery, protected waters at the bay, good fishing, and the opportunity to watch whales during the migration season and the resident dolphins.

Oddly, there is no port at Port Stephens, nor any town of that name: the name applies to both the entire peninsula and the bay north of it (Port Stephens Bay). The largest settlements are 1 Nelson Bay and 2 Shoal Bay , both near the northeast tip.

Tourist information

• Port Stephens tourism information

Get in

By car

The most convenient means of transport into the area is by car. From Newcastle, just take the B63 north, and go for about 45 min to an hour, depending on where in Newcastle you are. The B63 is mostly just a suburban road, but north of Salt Ash, there is a 100-km/h speed limit, with two lanes each way making it feel like a motorway.

From Sydney, it's about 2 hr 30 min to Port Stephens along the A1 if the traffic gods are in your favour.

By train

If coming from Sydney, then the train to Newcastle is a good option in terms of speed and cost. From there, Port Stephens is a 30-minute drive by taxi or otherwise bus options are available.

By plane

Newcastle Airport is only 30-minute drive away via B63 and has connections to many large cities on the east coast. Sydney Airport is about 2.5 hours away by car.

By bus

You can catch a train to Newcastle then 130 bus to Port Stephens. Services run roughly every sixty minutes.

Get around

As with most rural destinations in Australia, your best option is usually by car. The area can be cycled however.

• 1 Port Stephens Ferry Service, Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay, ☏ +61 4 1268 2117. You can visit Hawks Nest via the ferry service, 1 hour each way Adult $26 return, child $13 return, under 5 years free. (updated May 2019)

By bus

CDC NSW runs bus services around Port Stephens.

See

• 1 Stockton Sand Dunes. The largest beach in NSW has 72 km² of sand dunes, this is where some scenes for Mad Max and parts of that ubiquitous Aussie anthem 'Down Under' were filmed. Most easily visited on a guided tour (see #Do) but some parts are open to 4x4s, and you can stroll around the visitor center at Birubi Beach for free. 
• 2 One Mile Beach. Named after the town One Mile rather than the other way around, is a stunning place to visit whether you surf or not. Atmospheric views down the peninsular and dramatic swells abound here. There's a car park just off the beach and a small store that sells refreshments. 
• 3 Mt Tomaree. A 2.2-km return walk will lead you to the summit of Mt Tomaree, where you will find fantastic views of Mt Yacaaba, as well as Cabbage Tree, Fingal, Boondelbah and Broughton Islands, and the Point Stephens Lighthouse. (updated May 2019)

A view of Mt Yacaaba from the summit of Mt Tomaree.

• 4 Gan Gan Lookout, Lily Hill Road, Nelson Bay. This lookout offers fantastic views of the Nelson Bay region and its surrounds. (updated May 2019)
• 5 Point Stephens Lighthouse, Fingal Island. Located on Fingal Island, this lighthouse is accessible from Fingal Bay by walking across Fingal Spit, however a much safer option is to go by boat/kayak. (updated May 2019)
• Shark Island. A beautiful stunning island with unspoilt beaches. Only accessible during low tide via Shark Beach. (updated Jul 2021)
• Tomaree National Park contains various points of interest, particularly in the parts of Port Stephens that are still covered in vegetation.

Do

Whale watching

Whale watching cruises leave from Nelson Bay and are well worth it in the seasons that humpbacks pass by (May to November). You may also see dolphins and penguins. There is a variety of vessels and price ranges to choose from at the marina.

• 1 Moonshadow-TQC Cruises, Shop 3, 35 Stockton Street, Nelson Bay, ☏ +61 2 4984 9388. Specialises in dolphin and whale watching. The whale watching cruise runs at 10AM and 1:30PM for 2.5 hours. And if you don't get to see whales, they offer a second whale-watching trip for free within the following 6 months. $63. (updated Sep 2022)
• Imagine Cruises, Nelson Bay, ☏ +61 2 4984 9000. The whale watching cruise operates at 10:30AM and 2PM and lasts for 3 to 3.5 hours. If no whales are sighted they offer a second trip for free. $60. 

Dolphin watching

There is a colony of resident dolphins that can be seen from the beaches or from the popular cruises that leave from Nelson Bay. The best season to watch dolphins is from the end of November to May.

Scuba diving

Nelson Bay has some of the best shore dives in New South Wales and attracts scuba divers keen to photograph the varied macro sea life at the sites of Fly Point and Halifax. The following dive shops offer gear rental, tank refill, and diving courses.

• Feet First Dive, 17/34 Stockon St, Nelson Bay (Near the parking at the town centre), ☏ +61 2 4984 2092. 
• Pro Dive (At the Marina), ☏ +61 2 4981 4331. 

Sand dune tours

Several operators at Birubi Beach offer tours of Stockton Beach's sand dunes by 4WD or camel. Options include sledding down sand dunes and visits to picturesque, abandoned Tin City.

The dunes can get ferociously hot (50°C+) in the heat of summer, so the best time to go is actually winter, ideally after rain since this compacts the sand and lets you slide better.

• 2 Sand Dune Safaris, end of James Paterson St, Anna Bay (Lower carpark), ☏ +61 425 213 096. Daily 9:30AM to 4:30PM. The only operator that allows stand-up sand surfing, which is much more fun (but trickier) than just sledding. 4WD shuttles from the carpark every 10 min or so. $40 single, $140 family. (updated Jun 2024)

Swimming with sharks and stingrays

• 3 Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters (Shark and Ray Centre), 2 Jessie Rd, Anna Bay, ☏ +61 2 4982 2476. Daily 9AM to 5PM. Swim with sharks and stingrays here. The stingrays here have had their barbs trimmed, so there's no need to worry. (updated Jul 2021)

Eat

• Sienna's Pizzeria Bar and Restaurant, 1 Trafalgar Street, Nelson Bay, ☏ +61 2 4984 4900. Excellent Italian food. The site is licensed and BYO with $5 corkage. $30. 
• 1 Red Neds Gourmet Pie Bar, 3/17-19 Stockton Street, Nelson Bay (Look for the statue of Ned Kelly), ☏ +61 2 4984 1355. Daily 8AM-4PM. A popular place for its gourmet pies. (updated May 2024)
• 2 Valhalla, 3834 Nelson Bay Rd, Bobs Farm, ☏ +61 2 4982 1446. W-Su noon-9PM. Valhalla is packed to the rafters with Viking-themed kitsch, but the wood fired pizzas (named after Norse gods, of course) are tasty and the mighty "Ragnar Rack" (1kg of BBQ pork ribs) will placate even the hungriest berserker. Live music on Sundays, plus a garden in the back where kids can kick around a ball and admire the Highland cows from a safe distance. Pizzas $21-30. (updated Jun 2024)

Drink

• 1 The Salamander Hotel, 7 Town Centre Circuit, Salamander Bay, ☏ +61 2 4982 0550, saltnspice30@gmail.com. Daily 10AM-10PM. An upmarket establishment. Has a playground for the kids. Try the schnitty or parma. (updated Jan 2018)

Airport

• Hunter & King Coffee Co., Departures. (updated Dec 2022)
• Nine Bays Espresso, Arrivals. (updated Dec 2022)

Sleep

A panorama of the Milky Way at Fishermans Bay

Port Stephens is a popular weekend getaway for Sydneysiders and there's plenty of accommodation options, especially in the higher price brackets. Prices are high in peak seasons but there are good discounts to be had off-season.

Budget

• Melaleuca Backpackers, 2 Koala Place, One Mile Beach (formerly 33 Eucalyptus Drive), ☏ +61 2 4981 9422. Quirky backpackers hostel with lots of character and lovely owners. Dorms $28-35. 
• Samurai Beach Bungalows - Port Stephens YHA, Cnr Frost Rd and Robert Connell Close (about 5 km out from Nelson Bay), ☏ +61 2 4982 1921, info@samuraiportstephens.com. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 10AM. A beautiful little hostel in a peaceful garden setting with a pool, bikes, a unique bush kitchen, and Wi-Fi available. Has the feeling of being in Asia with lovely statues scattered around the garden. They have a few different room styles from dorm rooms to privates with shared or private bathroom. $30–170. 

Mid-range

• 1 Seaside Holiday Resort Fingal Bay, 48 Marine Dr, Fingal Bay, ☏ +61 2 4981 1533. Self-contained 2/3-bedroom apartments in low-rise blocks across the street from the beach, with classic holiday park amenities like pools, trampolines, BBQs and a laundry block. Not luxurious, but clean, comfy and renovated. From $250. (updated Jun 2024)

Splurge

• 2 The Anchorage, Corlette Point Rd, Corlette, ☏ +61 2 40363561. Luxurious five-star bay resort overlooking Corlette Beach and the port. Features fine dining, 2 bars, day spas and speciality packages for families and couples. ~$500 per night. (updated Nov 2020)

Connect

Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all have minimum 4G in Port Stephens. Some have 5G in certain spots.

Go next

• Newcastle
• Hunter Valley