Here are some top things to do in Port Stephens, including swimming with wild dolphins, seeing whales, and hiking to Mt Tomaree through wildlife-filled bushland.
Port Stephens is a coastal town located two and a half hours north of Sydney. It combines the beauty of Byron Bay and Narooma. The town has a relaxed coastal vibe and offers a range of wildlife encounters. Port Stephens also boasts excellent accommodation options, including treehouses and beach shacks. Nature plays a central role in the town’s appeal. There are plenty of fun activities to enjoy during your visit to Port Stephens.
One can ride a camel around Anna Bay
One popular activity in the area is riding camels along Anna Bay, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful blue waters of the Pacific while traversing the vast expanse of empty sand. The ideal time to visit Anna Bay is at dawn, when the soft pink light begins to appear, allowing you to take in the landscape while riding a camel peacefully.
Quad biking is available at Stockton Sand Dunes
You can book a tour with Sand Dune Adventures to see the highest dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. During the tour, your Indigenous guide will point out middens, where the Worimi Nation once feasted on fish and shellfish. Additionally, part of your payment for The Aboriginal Culture Sandboarding and Quad Bike Tour goes towards supporting the local Indigenous community and the conservation of the dunes.
New South Wales offers excellent shore diving
The Great Lakes Marine Park in Port Stephens offers a variety of dives for all levels of experience. Fly Point in Nelson Bay is known for its nudibranchs, while the Pipeline is a popular spot for macro divers. The Looking Glass off Broughton Island is notable for taking divers through a rock arch alongside a grey nurse shark. Additionally, Salty Pilgrims in Nelson Bay offers free diving lessons.
Experience swimming with wild dolphins
Port Stephens is a real dolphin capital; thus, swimming with dolphins off the coast of Port Stephens is a meaningful experience for those living there. Dolphin Swim Australia offers responsible wildlife tours that prioritise the well-being of marine life and their natural environment. The company focuses on eco-friendly practices and ensures that each swim depends on the dolphins’ choice to be close to the guests in the water.
You can hike to the top of Mt Tomaree
Participate in a whale-watching cruise
Port Stephens is known for its whale-watching season, with eco-friendly cruises offered by both Moonshadow-TQC and Imagine Cruises. These tours typically last around three hours and allow guests to observe humpback whales engaging in various behaviours, such as pectoral slaps and body rolls. The 360-degree viewing deck ensures that every guest can witness whales breaching and capturing the perfect photograph.
Try surfing or paddleboarding
Port Stephens has excellent surf breaks. If you’re new to surfing or SUPing in the area, taking lessons from Port Stephen Surf School instructors is recommended. They will show you lesser-known spots. Experienced instructors can help you improve your skills or learn to stand on a board. They will take you to uncrowded breaks where you can enjoy surfing to the fullest.
Destination dining
A visit to Port Stephens will reveal the need for a return day trip to enjoy some of NSW’s best restaurants with accommodations. The waterways surrounding Port Stephens are the defining feature of this coastal village, with amazing views. Taking a photo while enjoying a seafood platter at Rick Stein at Bannisters or the Wild Herring at The Anchorage in Port Stephens are highly recommended souvenirs.
Take a 4WD safari to explore Tin City
4WD Tours R Us offers tours of the dunes of Stockton Bight, including sandboarding adventures and a visit to Tin City, a filming location for Mad Max. Tin City is a collection of corrugated iron shacks with an exciting history. Built initially for shipwreck survivors, it was later expanded during the Great Depression to include over 36 huts.
Explore the top-rated beaches
Port Stephens, located in Australia, offers a variety of stunning beaches for all types of visitors. Those seeking adventure can go diving with a grey nurse shark colony at Broughton Island, while those looking for a more relaxing experience can walk along Wreck Beach or fish at Great Lakes Marine Park. Surfing enthusiasts can head to Wreck, Box, Samurai, and Zenith beaches, while families can enjoy Salamander Bay, Shoal Bay, and Nelson Bay.
You can swim with sharks and manta rays
You can cuddle a manta ray or snorkel with a zebra shark at Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters. They offer various experiences that allow visitors to get close to marine animals, such as wading in a shallow pool to pet and feed rays or swimming in a lagoon with large sharks. The centre is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating marine animals through its Sea Shelter program. They also focus on research and education related to marine conservation.
Take a tour of breweries and wineries on your own
At B Farm by Murray’s, an independent brewery located on the same property as Port Stephens Winery, the oldest winery in the region, visitors can enjoy a two-for-one tasting experience. They can sample the 100% natural brews, try various wines from the region, and dine at one of the three onsite dining venues. For wine enthusiasts, Wonganella Estate offers a sunset and vine experience with a mezze menu and wine tastings on weekends. Another option is Tynan Wines, a boutique winery producing small-batch wines, chocolate, cookies and honey.
Help save koalas at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
Port Stephens is home to the Koala Sanctuary, which is dedicated to preserving koala populations in the wild. The sanctuary offers educational experiences for visitors, including the opportunity to see veterinary staff caring for sick and injured koalas. A 225-meter elevated pathway also allows visitors to observe koalas in their natural habitat. The sanctuary also offers luxury glamping tents for overnight stays surrounded by bushland.
Feel the adrenaline at Fighter World
Aviation enthusiasts may consider visiting Fighter World, a museum next to the RAAF Base Williamtown at Newcastle Airport. Here, they can explore the rich history of the Royal Australian Airforce, view notable aircraft such as the first Vampire jet produced in Australia and WWII Spitfire replicas, experience sitting in the cockpit of a Mirage interceptor and Macchi jet trainer, and witness an impressive display of model aircraft.
Visit Toboggan Hill Park for an exciting adventure
Toboggan Hill Park in Nelson Bay offers a variety of family-friendly outdoor activities, including a one-kilometre downhill toboggan run, an outdoor maze, mini golf, an indoor rock climbing wall, and more.
