Explore Port Stephens

Port Stephens ~ New South Wales

Port Stephens is a large, natural harbour surrounded by towns and villages an easy two and half hour's drive from Sydney.

It has stunning beaches, beautiful national parks, amazing sand dunes and a laid-back atmosphere.

When we stayed at Port Stephens we wandered around the Marina at Nelson Bay, admired the views from the Gan Gan Lookout and explored some beaches. We visited the Koala Sanctuary and discovered Stockton Sand Dunes and the camel rides.

d’Albora Marina is in the heart of the pretty coastal town of Nelson Bay, and it has restaurants, cafes and boutique shopping. You can also hire a boat, go on a charter or a cruise.

More than 100 dolphins live in the pristine blue waters of the —Great Lakes Marine Park, and dolphin-watching cruises depart all year round. Whale-watching tours operate between May and November when the humpback and southern right whales migrate along the NSW North Coast.

To the eastern side of the Marina is Nelson Bay Beach, a lovely sandy beach that backs onto a grassy reserve.

The Gan Gan Lookout is located on Lily Hill Road, just off the main road to Nelson Bay. From the carpark, it is a short walk to the lookout, which is Port Stephen’s highest and most accessible lookout.

Sitting 160 meters above sea level, Gan Gan Lookout provides breathtaking views over Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, and the surrounding national parks. You can also marvel at Port Stephens inlet, which is twice the size of Sydney Harbour.

Little Beach is a lovely beach between Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay. This small stretch of sand is between Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay.

It’s a popular beach due to the calm waters, that are perfect for paddling, swimming and relaxing. There is a large, shady, grassy area to sit and relax, there is also a playground, picnic tables and a boat ramp. You can also watch the pelicans near the boat ramp.

At the base of Tomaree Head, a short walk brings you to the stunning Zenith Beach.  This lovely beach is surrounded by rugged, rocky headlands and has powder-white sand and turquoise water. You can also do the 2.2-kilometre return walk to the Tomaree Head summit for more fantastic views.

Fingal Bay Beach is another lovely beach with white sand and calm, clear waters. It is popular for watersports, swimming and relaxing.

The Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary provides first-class care to sick, injured and orphaned koalas, it also offers visitors a unique opportunity to see koalas in their natural habitat. 

The sanctuary is open every day from 9.00 am and after paying your entry fee you start your self-guided tour by wandering along the Sanctuary Story Walk.

This 250-metre walk meanders along a pathway through lovely native gardens, with information boards that tell the story of the koala and its habitat with great koala sculptures. 

You can then take a peak into the viewing window of the Koala Hospital. This state-of-the-art Koala Hospital has intensive care units, a treatment clinic and rehabilitation yards that provide crucial care for sick and injured koalas.

Then we wandered along the Sanctuary Skywalk and viewing platform, this 225 metre-elevated pathway offers a unique tree-top perspective into the koala’s natural habitat. In this area, you will see the koalas that have been rescued. Each yard has a sign with the koala's name and its story.

You can also stay at the Koala Sanctuary in hotel-style accommodation or glamping tents. The Sanctuary also has a cafe, outdoor seating area and gift shop.

The Stockton Bight Sand Dunes in the Worimi Conservation Lands are the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. A great place to see them is from the Birubi Beach Surf Life Saving Club viewing deck.

These towering dunes are up to 30 metres high and cover an area of 32 kilometres from the Hunter River at Newcastle to Birubi Point in Anna Bay.

There are several ways to experience these incredible dunes: You can walk through them, take a 4WD tour, sandboard, ride a quad bike or relax and take a camel ride.

Oakfield Ranch camel rides are available 6 days a week, not available on Wednesdays from 10.00 am to 3.30 pm

You don’t need to make a booking, you just walk up and wait your turn. The day ride goes out along the small sand dunes and back along the beachfront and goes for about 20 minutes.

Birubi Beach has a cafe at the Surf Club, grassy areas and picnic tables. The beach is popular for walking, swimming, surfing and other water sports.