Dolphins, the biggest sand dunes in the country, clifftop views and around 26 beaches — Port Stephens packs a lot into a couple of hours north of Sydney. Here are the experiences worth building a trip around.
From wildlife on the water to adventures on the dunes, here's what to prioritise in Port Stephens — most can be combined into a single big day, or spread across a relaxed weekend.
Take a cruise from Nelson Bay's d'Albora Marina to meet Port Stephens' resident bottlenose dolphins — around 150 live in the bay, so sightings run high all year.
Slide down the Stockton Bight sand dunes at Anna Bay — the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, on Worimi Conservation Lands. Tours include boards and access.
The short, steep Tomaree Head Summit Walk at Shoal Bay rewards you with sweeping views over the bay, the islands and the open coast — best at sunrise or sunset.
Between roughly May and November, humpback whales pass on migration. Whale-watching cruises depart Nelson Bay, often with dolphins alongside.
Ride a camel along Birubi Beach at the edge of the dunes, or just catch the sunset over the sand — an Anna Bay classic.
A short drive above Nelson Bay, Gan Gan Lookout offers a 360-degree panorama of the bay, the dunes and the hinterland.
Shoal Bay, Fingal Bay and One Mile Beach offer calm, patrolled swimming, while Zenith and Box beaches draw the surfers — around 26 beaches in all.
When the tide is low, a sand spit links Fingal Bay to Fingal Island and its lighthouse. Check the tides carefully and never cross on a rising tide.
Snorkel with sharks and rays at Irukandji near Bobs Farm, or visit Oakvale Wildlife Park — both firm favourites with families.
The boardwalks of Tilligerry Habitat at Tanilba Bay are one of the best spots to see wild koalas and birdlife in the region.
Beyond sandboarding, guided 4WD and quad-bike tours explore the vast Stockton dunes and the Sygna shipwreck along Stockton Beach (permit required to self-drive).
Wander the Nelson Bay marina and foreshore, browse the weekend markets, grab fresh seafood, and use the town as your base for cruises and tours.
If you only do three things: a dolphin cruise, sandboarding the dunes, and the Tomaree Head climb — all three fit into one full day.
The highlights are a dolphin cruise from Nelson Bay, sandboarding the Stockton sand dunes at Anna Bay, climbing Tomaree Head for the views, and — in season — whale watching. Calm bay beaches, Gan Gan Lookout and wildlife parks round out a trip.
Plenty — dolphin cruises, sandboarding and camel rides on the dunes, calm patrolled beaches, koalas at Tilligerry Habitat, and wildlife encounters at Irukandji and Oakvale make it one of the most family-friendly spots in NSW.
Yes — the beaches, the Tomaree Head and Fingal Bay walks, Gan Gan Lookout and the Nelson Bay foreshore and markets are all free. The dunes, cruises and wildlife encounters are the main paid experiences.
Dolphin cruises, sandboarding and 4WD dune tours are best booked ahead, especially in summer and school holidays. A guided day tour from Sydney bundles the cruise and the dunes with transport included.
A great single day is a morning dolphin cruise from Nelson Bay, sandboarding or a 4WD tour on the Stockton dunes at midday, and Tomaree Head or a bay beach in the afternoon — exactly what a guided day tour from Sydney covers.
Cooee Tours acknowledges the Worimi people as the Traditional Custodians of Port Stephens and the land of the Worimi Conservation Lands, and pays respect to their Elders past and present.