Once a weary seaside block, Marina Resort is Port Stephens’ newest benchmark for swish coastal stays.
Nelson Bay lives in my memories as a series of salt-sprayed postcards. Childhood summers spent scanning sun-scorched sand for shells and silvery tides for dolphins; gums dotted with lorikeets; Bubble O’Bill ice creams from fish and chip shops.
But today I’m pulled back into the popular Port Stephens town, where my grandparents still live and which was recently named among Australia’s top 10 towns for nature and adventure, for another reason. Marina Resort, a once-forgettable hotel in an ’80s building, reopened last August following an overhaul by DOMA Group. The redevelopment is rethinking the holiday hotspot’s hotel landscape, promising a stylish cut above the sprawling caravan parks and paint-flaked cottages of old.
Where is Marina Resort?
Dive into the resort pool.
Five minutes’ walk uphill from Nelson Bay’s town centre, Marina Resort offers lovely views over the marina and bay beyond. Popular nearby beaches with calm waters include Dutchmanns Beach, Bagnalls Beach and Little Beach, while One Mile Beach is a sterling surf spot around 15 minutes away by car. For those keen to get some steps in, the start of the stunning Tomaree Head Summit Walk is a 10-minute drive away.
What is the style and character of Marina Resort?
Enjoy sweeping views of the ocean. (Credit: Gabriel Saunders)
Marina Resort is all about laid-back coastal living elevated by sun-washed spaces and design-forward details. From the moment my partner and I arrive at reception, I know we’ll be happy here. Staff are friendly and professional, and check-in is butter smooth. Pearly peach mosaics recall the bay’s shell-lined shores, while beige lounges edged with black piping sit opposite a brilliant sapphire-hued coffee table. It’s refined yet unpretentious.
The foyer balances neutrals with pops of colour.
Curated by Melbourne/Naarm design firm Stella Collective, guestrooms are a breezy blend of sand-hued linens, woven textiles, and sculptural wood that allude to Port Stephens’ native flora. I love that our Garden Terrace Room has a leafy private patio and an outdoor daybed overlooking the pool.
Earthy colours and texture bring the rooms to life. (Image: Gabriel Saunders)
Bedrooms are light and airy.
Find inspiration at the reading table. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
To my delight, the room also boasts partial ocean views, despite its location on the ground floor. While the bathroom is kitted out with Grown Alchemist amenities, the entryway houses a microwave, pod coffee machine, ironing board and mini fridge – though snack hunters such as myself will need to look elsewhere for their fix.
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AI Prompt
What facilities does Marina Resort have?
Plunge into the 25-metre pool.
That hunt leads us to reception, where guests can purchase packaged nibbles and beverages from the vending machines or foyer bar. Canned yuzu, lime and pineapple gin cocktails prove the zesty refresher we’re craving after a surf at nearby One Mile Beach. We bring a few down to the hotel’s north-facing pool area, which offers a pristine 25-metre pool and luxe double-sized day beds (no dingy plastic lounges here, thank you).
Rinse off under the outdoor shower. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
Those accustomed to high-end hotels might miss the close attention of roaming staff, but for me, the self-service approach means we can enjoy the simplicity of a sunset dip without disturbance.
What is the dining like at Marina Resort?
The hotel has a food truck and outdoor tables. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
In step with the town’s easygoing, turtle-paced tempo, the hotel trades a restaurant for a pop-up food van open from 8am to 3pm. Here you’ll find freshly squeezed juices and light bites (think potato wedges, paninis, cereal and chia pudding) alongside several al fresco picnic tables.
We opt for a larger meal at The Little Nel, a buzzing local institution loved for its sunny deck and seasonal brunch menu. Later, we drive to Nelson Head Lighthouse – one of my favourite haunts for oven-warm scones and dazzling bay views at the cute little onsite cafe.
While more onsite dining options in the evening hours would complete the experience, it forces us to explore the town’s local dining scene. We dine at Taj Tandoori and love the authentic Indian flavours, though Dumpling Mamas Bar & Dining and Seabreeze Hotel Bistro and Bar are also popular spots.
Does Marina Resort have access for guests with disabilities?
Marina Resort offers accessible rooms.
Yes. Located on the top floor, the best room in the house is wheelchair-accessible, with grab rails in the bathroom.
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Is Marina Resort family-friendly?
Nearby Dutchmans Beach is perfect for families. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
Marina Resort’s spaces are family-friendly, though they are best suited to well-behaved or older kids as it has a fairly quiet atmosphere. The outdoor pool has a wading pool for children, and the rooms are spacious and reasonably priced – making them ideal for families. Guests can also venture to nearby beaches with calm waters perfect for swimming and fishing.
The verdict
A four-star, contemporary coastal refuge ideal for couples and groups seeking a polished yet relaxed stay. Marina Resort lends easy access to all the things that transport me back to carefree childhood summers here, with the addition of contemporary luxe. For this, I’ll gladly forgo table service.
Details
Best for: couples and groups looking to unwind in style by the sea
Address: 33 Magnus St, Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Room rate: Stay between Sunday and Thursday to score nightly rates from $209, a welcome drink and late checkout.
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Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.
The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.
The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.
By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.
Dive into the world’s best beaches.
That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.
But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.
Beyond the beaches
Dining
Enjoy a sundowner by the sea at Pippis Cronulla.
The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.
By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.
Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.
A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.
Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.
One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.
Pristine walking trails
Cool off with a coastal stroll.
Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.
Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.
Enjoy whale watching
Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)
Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around.Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.
Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.
