Nelson Bay Accommodation

Explore the nature and serenity of Nelson Bay, a coastal resort town just 2.5 hours north of Sydney by car. Learn the meaning of relaxation at your own Nelson bay holiday accommodation with a private terrace overlooking the crystal blue waters, or a stunning beach resort with every possible amenity.

What to eat in Nelson Bay

You'll find plenty of great restaurants around when you book a Nelson Bay holiday house, but our top recommendation is to head off the beaten path and take your lunch with a tour at Cookabarra. This restaurant has its own hydroponic vegetable garden and fish pond, built on a reclaimed swamp just 20 minutes from Nelson Bay. Barramundi is on the menu during the summer months, and rainbow trout is the restaurant's fall and winter specialty.

Behind-the-scenes tours are available before or after your in-house dining experience, where you can see how Cookabara produces over 1,000 barramundi fish every week. Feed fish with the kids in the moat-like pond that surrounds the restaurant.

Head into the eatery for a relaxing, air-conditioned dining experience that's perfect for a hot day, or sit outside on the terrace that floats just above the water's surface. The menu is decked out with fresh produce collected from the on-site farm, featuring dishes such as fish and chips, baked barramundi fillet with lemon butter, and poached barramundi in a seasoned seafood broth. The restaurant also caters to vegetarian and gluten-free diners and provides a full children's menu complete with cocktail barramundi and fresh fruit.

What to see in Nelson Bay

Take time to visit Nelson Heritage Lighthouse Museum and enjoy tea with a view. Cruise down Little Beach Road to the land’s peak overlooking the Karuah River, and pull up to the lighthouse cottage, where you’ll spend the day learning about the history of Nelson Bay. Make sure to join one of the tours offered by the friendly volunteers who tend to the building's preservation. Browse through maritime memorabilia and travel back in time through four different rooms featuring selected antiques with stories from the days of yore.

Afterwards, enjoy freshly baked goods and breakfast items from the quaint café. Have your afternoon tea with a view as you relax on the covered terrace overlooking the lush landscape and lively waters of the Karuah River. Guests are also welcome to visit the coastal patrol radio base to see how the lighthouse and water traffic are operated in real time.

Indoor and outdoor family fun at Toboggan Hill Park

Join the activities at Toboggan Hill Park for a day of action-packed adventure with the family. Take the lift 1km up before beginning your descent along the toboggan track, weaving between trees on 11 different eye-popping bends.

Each vehicle has strong brakes so that every rider can choose their ideal speed, whether that be fast and furious or scenic and slow. Children under eight years old should ride with an adult. After soaring down the toboggan track, enjoy a scenic 45-minute ride on a tractor train through the bush to the Giant Maze – don’t worry, park operators will rescue you if you get lost in this wooden labyrinth.

Enjoy a rousing game of outdoor mini golf or a wet and wild water balloon fight. Should the skies hint at rain, head indoors to the Creation Point, a craft room outfitted with paints and plaster models for budding artists to hone their skills. Try your hand at hot ice skating on the synthetic indoor rink, or hit up the bouncy castles, rock climbing wall, and gaming centre.

Memorable vacation views at Gan Gan Lookout

Take a thrilling 160-meter drive up the steep and bumpy Lily Hill Road to Gan Gan Lookout, where you'll get a postcard-perfect shot of Nelson Bay. Take in breathtaking views of Port Stephens, which is set on a turquoise bay home to over 100 dolphins, as well as migrating whales journeying back to the Coral Sea with their newborn calves. Panoramas of the coastline also include Tomaree National Park and the vast Stockton Bight dunes.

In springtime, the lookout is decorated with native gymea lilies that can grow to five metres tall. Snap a photo at sunrise or sunset to remember your Nelson bay vacation. Guests can learn about the surrounding area with the help of information boards posted along the point, and all of the viewing platforms are wheelchair accessible. After visiting the lookout, head to Bagnalls Beach Reserve, a quiet seashore just 2.5km away where dogs can run free of their leashes and get in an afternoon of exercise.

Self-Catering Accommodation in Nelson Bay

Nelson Bay offers a wide range of great accommodations that are excellent for holidaymakers, whether you're travelling as a couple, family, or a group. You'll be within minutes of attractions such as the Nelson Head Heritage Lighthouse and Reserve, D'Albora Marinas, Shoal Bay, and Splash Waterpark. Great restaurants and shops, including the well-regarded Sandpipers and Siennas, are also close by.

Choose from the many self-contained holiday houses in and around town. They often include features like a kitchenette, washing machine, Wi-Fi, cable TV, garage, gas barbeque, and enclosed yard. Enjoy balcony views of the water and proximity to the beaches. Several of these beaches are dog-friendly, including Bagnalls Beach. Many accommodations are also suitable for pets.

Alternatively, consider serviced holiday apartments or duplexes for your Nelson Bay accommodation. They're fully furnished, with all the modern conveniences you'll need. Some buildings even include luxurious features such as pools, spas, and on-site restaurants. For visitors who require it, some residences also offer disability access.

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