Port Stephens is a large natural harbour north of Newcastle, ringed by beaches, bushland and the small towns of Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, Fingal Bay and Anna Bay. The bay is home to a resident population of bottlenose dolphins, and from roughly May to November humpback whales pass close to the heads. This is Worimi Country.
South of the bay, the Stockton Bight sand dunes stretch for more than 30 km within the Worimi Conservation Lands, the largest moving coastal dunes in NSW, where you can sandboard, ride a 4WD or quad bike, or take a camel ride on the beach. Port Stephens works well with the Hunter Valley and Newcastle.
Highlights
- Dolphin watching: cruises from Nelson Bay, with boom netting in summer.
- Stockton Bight dunes: sandboarding, 4WD and quad bike tours.
- Tomaree Head: a steep summit walk with views over the bay and islands.
- Whale watching: humpbacks pass the heads from about May to November.
- Beaches: calm Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay, and surf at One Mile and Birubi.
- Koalas: the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary near One Mile.
Quick facts
| Where | About 200 km north of Sydney |
|---|---|
| Main town | Nelson Bay |
| From Sydney | About 2 h 30 by car |
| Ideal stay | 2–3 nights |
| Best for | Dolphins, dunes, beaches, families |
| Getting around | Car, local buses, tours with pick-up |
How long to stay & where to base yourself
Two or three nights gives time for a cruise, a dune tour and a beach day. Nelson Bay is the hub, with the marina, cruise departures and restaurants. Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay are quieter beach bases, and Anna Bay is closest to the dunes. Summer holidays are very busy.
