About Port Stephens

Area Information

Sparkling, unpolluted waters makes it delightful for the scuba diver or the novice snorkeler, sandy beaches offer both still water bay swimming for the family or surf beaches for the keen surfer or body boarder. Port Stephens waterways also has access to the Myall Lakes for boating, camping and fishing.

In the winter months experience whale watching FREE at Anna Bay's Stockton and Birubi beaches, the coast line at Boat Harbour and again at Fingal Bay or catch one of the many boat tours that are offered and view them up close. If you take a cruise on one of these boat tours you will then be able to see them up close you will also experience some of the 160 bottle-nose dolphins who live and breed in the bay, they chase the boat and cruise in the boats wake, exciting to watch.

For the person who wants to get back to nature there are plenty of walking tracks through the legendary Tomaree National Park. View our birds, mammals, reptiles and plant species whilst strolling through, discover numerous wild flowers that are on show, truely amazing at various times of the year.

For the ardent fishermen, the choices are wide spread, river fishing at Tilligerry Creek and Karuah, Bay fishing and then there is the ocean fishing - deep sea fishing for that elusive marlin.

Four wheel drive enthusiast - can drive along Stockton beach and the sand dunes.

While visiting, you will need to check out the many restaurants and eateries around town - Murray's Brewery on Nelson Bay Road as you come in to town. Catch, Mermaids, Sandyfoot, Mod Thai, The Game Fish Club and Marcos along Shoal Bay Road across from the beach, also Vues, Mavericks at the Nelson Bay Marina and the award winning Zest Restaurant in Stockton Street Nelson Bay. These are just to name a few.

Things to Do

Sea Kayaking See the Bay - M 0405 033 518

Ferry ride to Tea Garden & Hawks Nest Take a ferry ride across Nelson Bay to Tea Garden            M 0408 494 262

Surfing Lessons You can learn to surf while you are here - M 0411 419 576

Bodyboarding Lesson Hire a board and learn to bodyboard - M 0411 392 468

Shark Feeding 686 Marsh Road, Bob's Farm. - PH 02 49 822 476 Feed the sharks and rays.

Scuba diving and snorkeling Learn all about the Bay or take a boat trip - PH 02 4984 2092

Fighter World RAAF Base, Williamtown. - PH: 02 4965 1810
Museum for air craft enthusiasts cafe & observation deck

Fishing Chater a boat, just use your own boat, or fish off the many beaches or wharfs.

Dolphin and Whale watching Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre. Ph: 02 4980 6900 Port Stephens has around 160 resident Dolphins. Whale watching season is from mid May to mid October.

Horse and Camel Riding Ride horses on Birubi Beach - PH 02 4981 9077
Go for that ride on a Carmel Stockton Beach M 0429 664 172

Golfing Many Golf courses available in the area
Nelson Bay - Dowling Street Nelson Bay NSW 2302 - PH 02 4981 1132
Horizons - Salamander Way Salamander Bay NSW 2317 - PH 02 49 82 0502
Pro Shop - PH 02 4982 0474
The Palms - Cnr Nelson Bay Road & Cromarty Lane Bobs Farm NSW 2316 - PH 02 4982 1670
Pacific Dunes - Champion Drive, Medowie NSW 2318 - 02 4916 0500
David Grahams Golf at - Nelson Bay Road Anna Bay - 02 4982 1960
Putt Putt golf, driving range and a 9 hole golf course

Parasailing or Thunderaft Thrill rides - Leaves D'ALBORA MARINA NELSON BAY - 02 4982 2808

Dizzyland Event Park - Family Fun1 Oakvale Drive Salt Ash NSW. - 02 49781244.
Open weekends, public holidays and school holidays.

Salamander Super Strike - Great if you get one of those wet days 270 Sandy Point Rd, Salamander Bay - 02 4981 4000
Ten Pin Bowling and Video Games

Toboggan Hill Park Aquatic Close, Salamander Bay - 02 4984 1022
Ice Skating, Indoor rock climbing, Remote control Cars and Boats, Video Games, Putt Putt Golf, Plaster Painting and more. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in winter.

Port Stephens Community Arts Centre Shoal Bay Road, Nelson Bay. Ph: 4981 3604
Open 7 days 10am to 4pm.Displays of paintings, pottery, woodwork, patchwork and more.