Things to do in Port Stephens, NSW
The best things to do in Port Stephens, New South Wales, include dolphin-watching cruises, Stockton Beach sand dunes tours and walks in the Tomaree National Park
Port Stephens is one of the top weekend break destinations in New South Wales. Main town Nelson Bay is just a three hour drive north of Sydney. And the two key attractions – the dolphins and sand dunes – are strong enough to have major appeal to international visitors, too.
Let’s start with the dolphins, as they’re what Port Stephens is most famous for. The protected waters of Port Stephens are perfect for pods of dolphins to hang out and frolic in. It’s no surprise, therefore, that one of the best things to do in Port Stephens is go on a dolphin cruise.
6 fantastic Port Stephens experiences worth going for.
- 4WD dunes tour with sandboarding – whizz down the Sahara-style dunes
- Dolphin-watching cruise with fun boom nets 🐬.
- Quad-biking over the Worimi sand dunes – learning about local Aboriginal culture along the way.
- Snorkelling with wild dolphins – the ultimate dolphin experience
- Port Stephens koala sanctuary admission tickets 🐨.
- Shallow water shark and ray encounter 🦈.
Things to do in Port Stephens: Dolphin cruises
Several operators run dolphin cruises from d’Albora Marina in Nelson Bay. These include Imagine Cruises, Moonshadow-TQC and Aquamarine Adventures. All have slightly different vibes. Imagine uses a sailing catamaran, Aquamarine Adventures has a smaller, fast-moving power cat and Moonshadow-TQC has a focus on fun, with water slides and boom nets to play in. Prices and durations vary slightly, but the chances of not seeing dolphins are close to zero.
It’s possible to swim with dolphins in Port Stephens. Dolphin Swim Australia runs cruises that head out into the ocean for dolphin swims. Be warned – they depart VERY early in the morning.
Most Port Stephens cruise operators also run whale-watching trips during the annual humpback migration season (May to November).
If you want to see the dolphins on the cheap, you can do so aboard the Tea Gardens ferry.
Things to do in Port Stephens: Dune tours
The other best things to do in Port Stephens are on the sand dunes near Anna Bay. These dunes go under several names, including Stockton Beach, Stockton Bight and the Worimi Regional Park.
Several operators run four wheel drive tours along the dunes. Again, each offers a slightly different vibe. Port Stephens 4WD Tours goes for the mass market, and makes sandboarding down the dunes part of the fun. 4WD Tag-Along & Passenger Tours gives you the option of coming along in your own 4WD vehicle, following the experienced guide in the lead vehicle across Stockton Beach.
Sand Dune Adventures, meanwhile, is owned by the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council. It puts an Indigenous twist on quad bike tours across the Worimi sand dunes. Operating from the Murrook Cultural Centre at Williamtown, Sand Dune Adventures has exclusive access to the highest dunes, and Aboriginal guides.
The other way to explore Port Stephens’ hefty collection of sand is by camel. Oakfield Ranch in Anna Bay offers Port Stephens camel tours on Birubi Beach.
Port Stephens walks and beaches
There are plenty of things to do in Port Stephens that don’t require organised tours. The Tomaree National Park takes up much of the Peninsula. The Tomaree Head Summit Walk offers an invigorating half day walk including WWII fortifications and fabulous views out over Cabbage Tree Island. Meanwhile there are several delightful beaches tucked away with in the national park. Samurai Beach is the nude beach, if getting your kit off for a swim is your thing. The best beaches are arguably on the northern shore of Port Stephens, though – try swimming at Jimmys Beach in Hawks Nest.
A less taxing walk can be enjoyed on the Tanilba Bay Boardwalk at Tanilba Bay, while golfers can get their fix at Pacific Dunes in Medowie or the Horizons Golf Resort in Salamander Bay.
If you’re thirsty, the Murrays Brewery in Bobs Farm is one of Australia’s longest-standing craft breweries and the Shoal Bay Country Club has a great beachside location. Wildlife lovers, on the other hand, will probably be more interested in the Oakvale Wildlife Park or Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary.
The Nelson Bay weather is pretty good year round, but the water’s warmer in the summer months. Relatively cheap accommodation is available at the Fingal Bay Holiday Park.
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