Living respectfully alongside the aquatic base of approximately 140 bottlenose dolphins, Port Stephens is affectionately known as the Dolphin Capital of Australia. Located a quick two hour drive north of Sydney, Port Stephens is not only known for its ocean life, but the long stretches of sand dunes, beach activities and seemingly untouched natural beauty. 

 

Being a tourist hot spot, there is guaranteed to be accommodation in almost any area of Port Stephens you are interested in. Accommodation is available in Anna Bay, Boat Harbour, Corlette, Fingal Bay, Nelson Bay, Salamander Bay, Shoal Bay, Soldiers Point and Taylors Beach. For those who wish to be close to the beauty of the sand dunes along the beach, Anna Bay is where you’ll want to stay. Being near the dolphin and whale watching charters makes Nelson Bay a nice place to kick back, as it is comfortably located close to restaurants and shopping facilities. 

 

Port Stephens is a smorgasbord of entertainment for travellers. With something for everyone to do, there is little wonder this area is one of New South Wales’ main attractions.

Along the eastern end of Port Stephens, Nelson Bay is a bustling town, exploding with chic restaurants and boutiques. For those who wish to turn their focus to nature, the town is also the heart of the fishing, dolphin and whale-watching charters. The Gan Gan lookout offers viewers a 360-degree experience that takes in as much of the raw Australian environment as possible. Keep your eyes peeled for native flora and fauna, especially koalas.

Fingal Spit is surely a beautiful location. Crossing at low tide, the stretch of sand joins Fingal Island to the mainland, with a suitably named ‘Kiddies Corner’ down one end of the beach. On the island is a lighthouse, well known for its burnt down residential ruins. If you’re feeling peckish there are some café’s and restaurants along the waters’ edge.

Perhaps the most fun to be had in Port Stephens (particularly for the brave-hearted) is found in the Worimi Conservation Lands, also known as Stockton Bight Sand Dunes. The sand dunes offer one of those moments in life where you have to stand back and simply admire the landscape in front of you: 32 kilometers of larger than life sand dunes. The dunes provide fun for those on either end of the ‘adventurous spectrum.’ You are given the opportunity to walk along the beach, drive along them, take a tour, on horseback, camel, quad bikes or sandboard. 

For those looking for a place to completely let go of their inhibitions, Samurai Beach is the only place in the area where clothes are not commonplace, and you can -ahem- let it all hang out.

 

Port Stephens is the kind of area you can visit all year round. In the winter you’ll experience mild, frost-free days, while a cool sea breeze keeps summer temperatures bearable. As the Australian summer heats the nation, Port Stephens offers tourists uncrowded beaches with room to stretch out and soak up the atmosphere, unlike Sydney beaches. Beautiful flowers rise from the earth in spring, while late May through to August provides an excellent time to watch humpback whales migrate north.

 

Port Stephens is a 25-minute drive to Newcastle airport. In town, buses run regularly through the different areas of Port Stephens and taxis are available (131 008

or 02 6581 0081). For more information on Port Stephens, go to http://www.portstephens.org.au