Reconnect, Rewild, Relax: The Magic of Port Stephens Awaits

Port Stephens

Adventure meets indulgence just north of Sydney

Just 2.5 hours from Sydney, Port Stephens offers more than a coastal escape—it’s a chance to reconnect with nature, rediscover adventure, and reward your senses. With 26 beaches to choose from, sweeping sand dunes, rich wildlife encounters, and world-class dining and accommodation, this idyllic pocket of New South Wales is the kind of place where one weekend never feels quite long enough.

Ride the dunes, swing a club or summit a coastal trail

At the heart of Port Stephens lies the dramatic landscape of the Worimi Conservation Lands, home to the vast Stockton Sand Dunes. Stretching for over 30 kilometres and soaring up to 30 metres high, the dunes invite adventure at every turn. Choose your thrill—quad bike with Sand Dune Adventures, sandboard with 4WD Tours R Us, or take a family-friendly safari with Sand Dune Safaris. For a slower pace, a camel ride with Oakfield Ranch at sunset offers a magical perspective.

Beyond the dunes, the region’s rolling fairways and championship golf courses offer a different kind of challenge. Nelson Bay Golf Club, Horizons Golf Resort and Pacific Dunes combine natural beauty with design precision—where kangaroos roam the greens and water views rival your scorecard.

Take the family to Nelson Bay’s floating Splash Waterpark, or enjoy classic Aussie fun at Toboggan Hill Park. For jaw-dropping views, tackle the Tomaree Coastal Walk, a multi-day trail or a short, rewarding hike to Tomaree Head Summit.

Wildlife wonders by land and sea

Port Stephens

Port Stephens is renowned for its resident dolphins and seasonal whale migrations. Join a dolphin cruise or swim alongside them with Dolphin Swim Australia. From May to November, thousands of humpback whales pass through the waters—watch their spectacular breaches on a whale-watching cruise with Moonshadow – TQC Cruises or Imagine Cruises.

Inland, koala conservation takes centre stage. Spot them in the wild at Tilligerry Nature Reserve or get up close at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, where you can also spend the night in a luxurious glamping tent among the treetops.

Meet more of Australia’s curious creatures at Oakvale Wildlife Park or take the plunge with rays and sharks at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, a marine experience designed to both educate and inspire.

A feast of flavours from bay to bush

Port Stephens’ food scene is as rich as its landscape. At B Farm by Murray’s, find everything from paddock-to-plate meals and wine tastings to distillery tours and picnic hampers. The Little Nel café serves up sunshine and seasonal produce with sweeping views of the bay.

For fresh seafood, head to Nelson Bay Fish Market or indulge in a waterside seafood feast at Bub’s Fish & Chips. Holberts Oyster Farm and Karuah Oyster Bar offer the freshest shucked oysters with a side of sea breeze.

If you're chasing fine dining, Little Beach Boathouse serves refined seafood just metres from the shore, and Atmos in Shoal Bay offers Greek-style feasting and waterfront glamour designed by Athenian architects.

Check in and chill out by the sea

Stay in style at Bannisters Port Stephens, a barefoot-luxury retreat with views over the bay, a spa sanctuary, and the acclaimed Rick Stein restaurant. For Hamptons-style luxury, Anchorage Hotel & Spa delivers elegant waterfront accommodation, a world-class spa and a sophisticated bar menu for long, indulgent evenings overlooking the marina.

Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, Port Stephens has a way of drawing you in deeper. With a balance of play, pampering, and pure nature, this coastal escape invites you to reconnect with what matters most.

For more information or bookings, visit:
https://www.portstephens.org.au

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