The top 17 ultimate things to do in Port Stephens

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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From swimming with dolphins and seeing whales up close to hikings to the top of Mt Tomaree through bushland brimming with wildlife, here the top things to do in Port Stephens.

If Byron Bay and Narooma had a love child, it would be Port Stephens. In addition to wildlife encounters, this extraordinary coastal town (just two and a half hours’ north of Sydney) is blessed with natural beauty and a laid-back coastal vibe. At the heart of it is great accommodation – from fairy-tale retreats to chic waterfront hotels – bolstered by all the best elements of nature. Dive into the NSW North Coast’s unparalleled beauty with the best things to do in Port Stephens.

1. Swim with wild dolphins

Dolphins swimming in Shoal Bay, Port Stephens.
Swimming with dolphins in Shoal Bay is dreamy. (Image: Destination NSW)

Tumbling into crystalline waters on a wild dolphin tour is, for city dwellers, a profoundly moving experience. Dolphin Swim Australia runs responsible wildlife adventures dedicated to respecting local marine life and their habitat. The company emphasises eco-friendly practises, with each swim dependent on the dolphins’ decision to be near guests in the water. A magical thing to do in Port Stephens at least once in your life.

2. Go quad biking in the Stockton Sand Dunes

Couple enjoying a quad bike tour on the Stockton Sand Dunes with Sand Dune Adventures, Port Stephens
Stockton Sand Dunes are the highest sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.

Book a 1.5-hour Aboriginal Culture & Sand Boarding Quad Bike Tour with Sand Dune Adventures to see the highest sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes. As you’re burning around the extraordinary expanse on quadbikes, an Indigenous guide will scout out middens, where some 18 clans of the Worimi Nation once feasted on fish and shellfish. Part of your tour fee is invested back into the local Indigenous community and the ongoing protection of this sacred space.

3. Get pampered at a day spa

Switch out all that natural Zen for man-made relaxation at the many day spas found across the region. The hotels, once again, house some of the finest, including the Instagram-friendly Spa Bannisters, Sirène Spa inside Shoal Bay’s Ramada Resort and Spa Lucca at The Anchorage. But don’t neglect The Wellness Path, a haven for self-care in Nelson Bay that’s worthy of ample time.

4. Experience some of the best shore diving in NSW

Luxury private chartered yacht experience with Blue Water Sailing in
Learn to free drive in Nelson Bay. (Image: Destination NSW)

Whether you’re an experienced scuba diver or have never donned a snorkel, you will find a dive to suit within the Great Lakes Marine Park in Port Stephens. There’s Fly Point in Nelson Bay, famous for its nudibranchs, and the Pipeline, a must for macro divers. The Looking Glass off Broughton Island is another dive deemed noteworthy as it takes divers through an arch in the rock shared with a grey nurse shark. Grey Nurse Charters can show you the ropes and you can also learn to free dive, one of the best things to do in Port Stephens, with Salty Pilgrims in Nelson Bay.

5. Ride a camel around Anna Bay

Sunset camel riding experience within Anna Bay, Port Stephens.
Morning is the best time for a camel ride at Anna Bay. (Image: Destination NSW)

Riding camels along Anna Bay is one of the most popular things to do in Port Stephens as visitors can enjoy the hypnotic blue of the Pacific while plodding along a huge slab of empty sand. The best time to visit Anna Bay is at the first pink glimmering of daylight when you can climb onboard a camel to enjoy the landscape in a relaxed and meditative way. Oakfield Ranch runs tours six days a week, while Sahara Trails Horse Riding switches out camels for equestrian adventures to delight in a same-same-but-different fashion.

6. Hike to the top of Mt Tomaree

The view from the top of the Mount Tomaree Summit Walk in Port Stephens
The steep walk is worth it for the views. (Image: Destination NSW)

You will find another world on the outskirts of Port Stephens when you turn your back to the beach and fixate on getting to the summit of Mt Tomaree. The Tomaree Head Summit Walk is only 2.2-kilometres return, but clambering up the steep sections on this Grade 5 walk requires a modicum of fitness. The best time to tackle it is between May and October, when you may be able to spot the plume of a whale spout from the summit.

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7. Indulge in waterfront cocktails

It just isn’t a visit to Port Stephens without a round of your favourite liquid gold. In this picture-perfect stretch of the coast, bars pop up right off the shores, seizing idyllic backdrops to elevate cocktail o’clock. Moby’s Bar, located at The Anchorage, is all-class while Cheeky Dog at Bannisters Port Stephens is reliably cheerful and Little Beach Boathouse’s Below Deck is easy and breezy. To keep the good times rolling, line your belly lavishly with our pick of the region’s best restaurants.

8. Enjoy a whale-watching cruise

A humpback whale's tail in Port Stephens.
Port Stephens is one of the best places to go whale watching. (Image: Destination NSW)

Speaking of those majestic beasts, Port Stephens is known for its excellent whale watching conditions and Moonshadow – TQC Cruises and Imagine Cruises both offer eco-friendly expeditions. The tours, which run for about three hours, allow guests to spot humpback whales performing pectoral slaps and body rolls. The 360-degree viewing decks also offer glorious vantage points to catch the jumbo beauties breaching, sending them out of the ocean for your ultimate money shot.

9. Learn to surf or SUP

Couple stand-up paddleboarding at Shaol Bay Port Stephens.
If you’ve never been stand-up paddleboarding before, now is your chance.

This corner of the coast is blessed with some of the best surf breaks in the country, making board riding one of the best things to do in Port Stephens. But if it’s your first time surfing or SUPing (stand-up paddleboarding) around the area you should sign up for sessions with Port Stephen Surf School. Their expert instructors will take you to places a little more off the radar as that’s just how they roll. Whether you want to hone your technique or learn to stand up for the first time, these guys will find discreet, uncrowded breaks to help you hang ten to your heart’s content.

10. Savour impeccable hotel dining

Ricks Stein restaurant at Bannisters Port Stephens.
Rick Stein at Bannisters is a must-try.

What a weekend in Port Stephens will tell you is that the best type of restaurants come with overnight stays. Home to two of the best Port Stephens restaurants you’ll find, Bannisters Port Stephens flourishes thanks to Rick Stein at Bannisters, while The Anchorage shines with The Galley Kitchen. Snapping a selfie with a seafood platter is the best kind of holiday souvenir, while your tastebuds will dance to the abundance of fresh-caught catches and masterful flavour profiles. Additionally, Hotel Nelson, yet another outstanding Port Stephens accommodation choice, sits right above the popular Little Nel and its breakfast and lunch services please locals and visitors alike.

11. Tour Tin City on a 4WD safari

Tin City Port Stephens
Visit the Mad Max location by 4WD. (Image: Destination NSW)

Adventure beyond those famous sand dunes with 4WD Tours R Us. In addition to offering sandboarding adventures across Stockton Bight, the team take in Tin City, one of the filming locations for Mad Max. The history of its cobbled-together corrugated iron shacks is fascinating: the shanty town, originally built to accommodate shipwreck survivors, expanded during the Great Depression to include more than 36 huts.

12. Discover the best beaches

Scenic views over Shoal Bay Beach, Zenith Beach, Wreck Beach and Box Beach in Port Stephens from Tomaree Head Summit.
Shoal Bay, Zenith Beach and Wreck Beach are some of Port Stephens’s best beaches. (Image: Destination NSW)

There are many stunning stretches of sand in and around Port Stephens, which is why it’s one of Australia’s most-loved aquatic playgrounds. While adventurous types have the option of diving, those looking for something more sedate can take their time along Wreck Beach Walk or drop a line in the water at Great Lakes Marine Park. Competent surfers, meanwhile, should follow the swell to Wreck, Box, Samurai and Zenith beaches and families can find safe dips at Salamander Bay, Shoal Bay and Nelson Bay.

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13. Get your adrenaline pumping at Toboggan Hill Park

Family on the toboggans at the Toboggan Hill Park.
The kids will have hours of fun at Toboggan Hill Park.

Good old-fashioned family fun is on the cards at Toboggan Hill Park, an action-packed thing to do in Port Stephens offering activities for all ages. The main attraction is the one-kilometre downhill toboggan run that twists and turns through bushland – you can go as fast or slow as you want, so even the littlest of adventurers can join in the fun. There’s also an outdoor maze to get lost in, mini golf, bungee tramps, an indoor rock-climbing wall, roller skating and more.

14. Swim with sharks and manta rays

Guests feeding the resident rays at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay
Swimming with a stingray is a bucket list moment. (Image: Destination NSW)

Ever fancied cuddling a manta ray or snorkelling with a zebra shark? Here’s your chance. Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters has several experiences that allow visitors to get close to magnificent marine animals. Choose from wading in a shallow pool to pet and feed them, or swimming in a lagoon with larger varieties. Through its Sea Shelter program, the centre is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals, as well as research and education surrounding marine conservation.

15. Take a self-guided brewery and winery tour

The interior of B Farm by Murray's Restaurant William.
Dine at Restaurant William at B Farm by Murray’s.

Get a two-for-one tasting experience at B Farm by Murray’s Craft Brewing Co, an independent brewery that shares a property with Port Stephens Winery, the oldest winery in the region. Sample the 100 per cent natural brews, wines from around the region and enjoy a bite to eat at one of the three onsite dining venues. Oenophiles should also check out Sunset + Vine which overlooks Wonganella Estate Vineyard and offers wine tastings on weekends. Tynan Wines, meanwhile, is a boutique winery that produces small-batch drops and also makes chocolate, cookies and similarly sweet spoils.

16. Support wild koalas at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Koala snuggled in a tree sleeping at the Koala Sanctuary Port Stephens, One Mile
Cosy up with a koala. (Image: Destination NSW)

Port Stephens is home to one of the last remaining koala populations on the east coast and the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary provides a crucial piece of the conservation puzzle. It offers immersive experiences to educate visitors about koalas and their habitat, the opportunity to see veterinary staff looking after sick and injured koalas via a viewing window in its Koala Hospital, and to meander along a 225-metre elevated pathway suspended in treetops to spot koalas in their natural habitat. You can even stay overnight in the sanctuary’s glamping tents, surrounded by eight hectares of bushland.

17. Have your Top Gun moment at Fighter World

Aviation aficionados should make the trip to Fighter World, a hands-on museum adjacent to the RAAF Base Williamtown (about five minutes’ drive from Port Stephens). Learn about the history of the Royal Australian Airforce, wander around famous aircraft including the first jet engine plane built in Australia, see the WWII Spitfire replicas, sit in the cockpit of a Mirage jet fighter and Macchi jet trainer, and see one of the country’s mightiest model aircraft displays, stretched across two hangars.

Originally written by Caral Grossetti with updates by Megan Arkinstall and Kristie Lau-Adams.

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Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
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9 of the best Sydney hotel bars for a local adventure during Vivid

(Credit: Nikki To)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.

    If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.

    And with Vivid lighting up the sky this winter, there’s no better time to find the perfect cosy spot to enjoy the views or escape the crowds.

    1. El Vista, Circular Quay

    bar tender at El Vista, Circular Quay sydney hotel bars
    Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)

    This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.

    2. Bar Allora, CBD

    Bar Allora, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Settle in for a taste of Italy.

    Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.

    3. Percy, Pyrmont

    Percy Sydney hotel bars
    Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)

    Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.

    4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD

    The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Seafood lovers should head to The Crudo Bar. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage of Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.

    5. Mee So, Sydney Central

    Mee So sydney
    Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.

    For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.

    6. Bar Morris, Haymarket

    Bar Morris sydney
    Settle into old-world European glamour.

    Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.

    7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour

    Pumphouse sydney
    Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.

    When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.

    8. Wentworth Bar, CBD

    Wentworth Bar sydney hotel bars
    Drink where the celebrities once did.

    Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.

    9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington

    Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington sydney
    See the city skyline, drink in hand.

    Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place, it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.

    For more information on how to enjoy Sydney for a long weekend, visit ALL.com.