Port Stephens Accommodation

Port Stephens is a 3hr drive from Sydney to the north. The easiest option is to hire a car and drive along the Pacific Highway. For public transport, you can catch a train from Sydney's Central Station to Hamilton near Newcastle. Port Stephens is a 1hr 30min journey from Hamilton. Alternately, you can get coach tours from Sydney to Port Stephens.

A scenic drive along the Pacific Highway is one of the best ways of reaching your destination. Interesting stops on the route include Lake Macquarie, the Entrance, Belmont and the towering sand dunes of Anna Bay. There are also daily flights from Sydney to Newcastle, operated by Qantas, Virgin and Rex Airlines.

When it comes to cuisine in Port Stephens, you will be spoilt for choice. There are marinas with casual restaurants, spots with outdoor dining decks, and stunning bayside cafes. Be sure to savour fresh local prawns, crabs, lobsters, and oysters harvested directly from the coast.

Little Beach Boathouse Restaurant and Bar at Nelson Bay offers the very best of Port Stephens. The amazing waterfront location serves some of the most delicious seafood and is the ideal place for a special celebration, a romantic dinner, or just a leisurely lunch.

Located at the Soldiers Point Marina, the Deck Cafe Restaurant offers seafood and Mediterranean dishes with panoramic waterfront views. The extensive menu features veal Tuscany, penne Lefkosia, Coquilles St Jacques, risotto funghi, and lot more.

Relax and enjoy fresh seafood straight from the sea at Sandpipers, located in Nelson Bay. The Point Restaurant at Soldiers Point Marina, the Poyer’s at Lemon Tree Passage, and the Catch in Shoal Bay are just a few other options that are popular nearby.

Stop at the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre to check out an interesting collection of artwork and unique crafts, showcasing the talents of the region's artisans. The centre also offers a weekend garden cafe and several galleries displaying large collections of arts and crafts.

Nada’s Fine Art Gallery at Corlette is home to a vast collection of contemporary and traditional paintings by artist Nada O’Loughlin. O’Loughlin specialises in coastal beach painting, Australian birds, Venetian scenes, and a variety of other subjects.

Explore the fascinating collection of rare and remarkable shells and giftware at Port Stephens Shell Museum. The Monarch Historical Museum at Williamtown is one of Australia's largest privately operated museums, and stages exhibits that include objects ranging from miniature soldiers to a Japanese tank.

If you’re travelling with the kids, Port Stephens offers plenty of activities to keep them busy during your holiday. Visit the Tilligerry Habitat Reserve to see iconic Australian species like koalas and kangaroos. Other wildlife you can expect to see are tawny frogmouths, bearded dragons, black cockatoos, and lace monitors.

Tomaree National Park is a great weekend getaway, where you can walk to see koalas, go whale watching, or try your hand at fishing. The park’s beaches are perfect for a family outing with barbecue and picnic facilities available in Fishermans Bay and Anna Bay.

Be sure to stop at Tomaree Aquatic Centre, where kids can indulge in a variety of activities, in and out of the water. Kids will love the waterslides here; they can also sign up for some swimming lessons. They also have a toddler pool for the tiny tots.

As one of the most spectacular coastal regions in Australia, Port Stephens has plenty of beaches to explore. Zenith Beach is easily one of the most stunning, just hidden behind the family-friendly Shoal Bay. Experienced surfers love the strong waves at Zenith, as well as at Box, Wreck, Birubi, and Samurai beaches.

You will also find many family-friendly beaches with barbecue facilities and picnic tables in the area. Popular options include Fingal Bay Beach, One Mile Beach, and Bagnalls Beach (this last one is pet-friendly). Learn the spills and thrills of surfing at Port Stephens Surf School, located in multiple locations, including One Mile Beach, Birubi Beach, Fingal Bay Beach, and Anna Bay.

Swimming with dolphins is a fantastic experience in Port Stephens, with over 140 bottlenose dolphins living in the waters surrounding Nelson Bay. There are various companies offering dolphin and whale-watching guided tours, including Imagine Cruises and Moonshadow -TQC Cruises.

Port Stephens is bustling with activities for all age groups. The easiest option is to check into a luxury holiday house and relax at one of the many white-sand beaches around Fingal Bay or Nelson Bay. The waters are sparkling blue, and there are plenty of cafés and bars around to hang out at after a swim. You can also head to one of the many local markets offering fresh food, handicrafts, and clothes among others. The Port Stephens, Tomaree, and Nelson Bay markets are the largest local markets here.

For the little ones, sandboarding at Anna Bay is a great option. Also, there are camel rides and quad biking options here. You can then see sharks and manta rays at the nearby Irukandji Shark Centre. Otherwise, you can take a cruise to spot bottlenose dolphins or humpback whales. Port Stephens has numerous hiking trails, the most popular being the hike to Mount Tomaree that offers panoramic views of all of Port Stephens. End your day with an award-winning Semillon wine from the nearby Hunter Valley at one of the town's many classy restaurants.