Port Stephens Travel & Vacation Guide

The highest lookout in Port Stephens offers spectacular views, especially at dusk. On a clear day you can see all the way down the peninsula to the Newcastle docks, and north-west over Hawks Nest to the gigantic headlands of Nelson Head and Nelson Bay. The drive up Lily Hill road to Gan Gan Lookout, through an abundance of Gymea lilies, which grow to five metres, is gorgeous.

The Great Lakes Marine Park stretches from Stockton Beach to Forster, encompassing Port Stephens, the Karuah and Myall Rivers, Myall and Smiths Lakes, and extending three nautical miles offshore. On land, the surrounding bushland is rich with Indigenous cultural and spiritual sites. Offshore, submerged cliffs create a haven for divers. As an official marine conservation area, the park is home to a diverse array of marine life, including dolphins, turtles, fish, seabirds, and seaweeds, along with threatened species like grey nurse sharks and green turtles.

The award-winning Hunter Region Botanic Gardens spans over 30 hectares of tranquil, landscaped gardens showcasing the beauty and diversity of Australian native flora. The gardens also include a large expanse of natural bushland with several walking tracks, offering opportunities to spot local wildlife such as birds, goannas, possums, wallabies and koalas.

Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters lead the way in marine education, conservation, and fun. This unique experience allows visitors to interact with marine life during guided shark encounter tours, where they can pet and feed these creatures under the careful supervision of experienced guides.

If one event captures the spirit of Port Stephens, it’s this regatta. Each April, one of Australia's fastest-growing sailing events takes to the glistening waters of the marine park, navigating around islands and back. This stunning race course is set to gain international recognition. But it's not just about sailing — there's plenty of fun with family entertainment both on and off the water. Don't miss the Regatta Markets.

Stockton Beach stretches 32 kilometres, making it Australia’s largest moving coastal sand mass. The gigantic dunes behind Birubi Beach at Anna Bay attract sand boarders, 4WD, and quad bike enthusiasts. The beach is also ideal for swimming, surfing lessons, fishing and diving. After your adventures, relax with a picnic or barbecue in the park next to the beach.

Take the invigorating short hike to the summit of Tomaree Head, 161 metres above the entrance to Port Stephens. Along the track, enjoy unmatched views of Port Stephens and its coastline. From the top, you can see as far as Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah islands, the only nesting sites for the endangered Gould's petrel. At the summit, the north platform offers panoramic views of Yacaaba Head, Cabbage Tree, Boondelbah, and Broughton Islands. The south platform provides stunning vistas of Zenith, Wreck, and Box Beaches, Fingal Island, and Point Stephens Lighthouse. Don’t miss the historic World War II gun emplacements, and bring binoculars — you might spot some dolphins. There’s a picnic table at the lookout, perfect for a lunch break while taking in the view. On your way back, try the Fort Tomaree walk.

Holberts Oyster Supplies is Port Stephens' leading oyster growing and processing business. For over five generations, the Holbert family has been cultivating and distributing their award-winning oysters to local restaurants and seafood outlets around the Port Stephens area. In recent years, Holberts Oysters has expanded significantly, becoming one of the largest oyster processors in New South Wales. This growth has allowed their product to reach not only local markets but also destinations across the state, interstate, and even export markets. A key milestone in their expansion was the opening of a new waterfront factory outlet on the shores of Cromarty Bay. The premises were designed with customer needs in mind, featuring a large shop front offering a vast array of freshly shucked oysters and other local seafood.

Little Beach Boathouse offers the best of Port Stephens with stunning water views, a relaxed atmosphere and fresh East Coast seafood. Located right on the waterfront, it’s ideal for a romantic dinner, special celebration, or leisurely lunch. While the menu highlights fresh local seafood, it also caters to meat lovers, vegetarians, and families. The team prides itself on delivering quality service, making Little Beach Boathouse a favourite among both visitors and locals.

Located on the beautiful sands of Fingal Beach, Long Boat Café at the Fingal Bay Surf Life Saving Club is the perfect spot for a hearty meal after a dip or surf. Celebrate Australia’s surf culture at its best by relaxing by the water and enjoying fresh local seafood with a fine selection of ice-cold local beers and chilled wines.

Located on the picturesque marina, Mavericks is perfect for sunset drinks and delicious food. The modern Australian menu offers light snacks, hearty mains, charcuterie, cheese boards, and seafood platters to share over a glass of Australian wine. On Fridays and weekends, enjoy live performances by local musicians, making Mavericks a lively spot for entertainment.

The Poyers Dinner Cruise offers an unforgettable dining experience for any occasion. Begin with appetisers on arrival, followed by a modern Australian buffet with a wide selection of seafood, meats, and vegetarian dishes. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets and moonrises from the top deck, and watch for dolphins riding the bow waves. With two fully licensed bars and live entertainment, you can dance the night away.

Inspired by the stunning coastline, Rick Stein at Bannisters is an ideal spot for seafood lovers and wine enthusiasts. Fresh seafood, simply prepared, is the hallmark of a Rick Stein kitchen. Using only the finest locally sourced ingredients, the dedicated chefs bring the ocean to your plate with passion and precision.

The Deck at Soldiers Point Marina is perfect for a family outing, offering casual waterfront dining with views of the boats. Run by a warm and welcoming Greek family, The Deck serves delicious Mediterranean breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu features a fine selection of snacks, salads, pasta, risotto, hearty mains and indulgent desserts.

This sun-drenched café, part of the stylish Nelson Hotel, is a perfect spot for a delicious breakfast or lunch. Enjoy organic Suspension Espresso coffee while overlooking beautiful gardens and the town. Little Nel is the ideal place for a relaxed brunch.

The Medowie plantation, established in 1980, spans five hectares and cultivates five varieties of macadamia trees. Family-owned and operated, the plantation handles everything from planting to harvesting, even experimenting with new treats for visitors. Sample their chilli-flavoured nuts, macadamia brittle, ice cream, oils, beauty products and other unique gifts.

The Community Arts Centre at Port Stephens is a hidden gem showcasing the talents of local artisans. Here, you can browse galleries filled with arts and crafts, all available for purchase at reasonable prices. The centre also features a charming weekend garden café, perfect for enjoying light lunches and drinks.

The Port Stephens Shell Museum showcases fascinating displays of rare and beautiful shells, offering a wide variety of enchanting gifts and souvenirs. Explore the diverse shell collections and find the perfect memento to take home.

Bag a bargain of creamy avocados, macadamia nuts, and local honey at the Rainbird Farm stall on Nelson Bay Road, Bobs Farm. Stock up before heading home or enjoy your avocados under the stars at your campsite. Open seasonally from mid-January to June.

Tailor Made Fish Farms is a unique aquaculture and hydroponics operation providing live barramundi to restaurants. Using award-winning and internationally recognised recirculation technology, Tailor Made Fish Farms can offer visitors a combined package of Production Tours that run daily, with a delicious dining experience at the Cookabarra Restaurant and Function Centre.

From Newcastle Airport (NTL) in Williamtown, it's a half-hour drive to most of the beautiful beaches in the Port Stephens area. Airlines Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Regional Express (REX) and FlyPelican service the airport, allowing easy access on a daily basis. Port Stephens Coaches operate a public bus service from Newcastle Airport to Newcastle train station up to 11 times per day, as well as a service to the Nelson Bay area.

NSW TrainLink provides rail services to and from Newcastle, connecting it with many regions across New South Wales. The journey is leisurely, picturesque, and great value — well worth the time. Regular train services run from Sydney to Newcastle, making it an accessible and enjoyable trip.

Check the prices before jumping in a taxi, and don't forget to add the per kilometre fare depending on time of day, vehicle type and number of passengers. You can call Australia’s national taxi booking phone number — 131 008.

Port Stephens is on the New South Wales coast, 200 kilometres north of Sydney. It's an easy route to drive, which takes about 2.5 hours along the M1 highway. At the end of the M1, turn right at the roundabout and follow the sign “Hexham and Pacific Highway”. Veer to the right and merge with the New England Highway then merge to the left at the sign “Taree and Pacific Highway” which takes you over the Hexham Bridge. Turn right onto Tomago Road, and turn left onto Nelson Bay Road at the roundabout. Then follow the signs to your Port Stephens destination.

Australia operates on a 230/240V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency. The country uses Type I power plugs, which feature two flat pins forming a 'V' shape, along with a grounding pin. This standard is also commonly used in New Zealand, Argentina, China, and several Pacific island nations. Remember to pack a universal adapter if your devices use a different plug type to ensure hassle-free charging.

Country code: +61 Area code: (0)2