The Best Things To Do in Port Stephens

For our very first weekend trip in New South Wales, we headed up to Port Stephens, around a 2.5-hour drive from Sydney. Located just north of Newcastle, Port Stephens is a beautiful coastal area known for its beaches, turquoise waters, sand dunes and relaxed seaside feel.

It’s a popular spot for road trips, family holidays and anyone looking to escape the city for a couple of days. With plenty of beaches, coastal walks and opportunities to spot dolphins, it felt like the perfect place for our first little getaway from Sydney!

This guide shares our favourite things to do in Port Stephens. If you’re after a ready-to-go plan for your weekend break, head over to our full two day Port Stephens itinerary!

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Explore Nelson Bay

I LOVE pottering around seaside towns, and Nelson Bay has the vibes on lock. When we first arrived, we spent a little time walking around the streets, taking in charming murals and having a nosy in cute boutiques.

When you’re feeling hungry, there are plenty of places to grab a bite in Nelson Bay. We grabbed lunch to go from Aussie Fish and Chips, but if you’re looking for something a lil more fancy, take a 20min coastal walk to Little Beach Boathouse for ocean views and a seafood-focused menu. Feeling like an alternative to the seaside staple? The Little Nel is brunching heaven; go Mediterranean at Nostimo At The Bay, or choose from over 40 variations of the classic Aussie pie at Red Neds.

Set sail for dolphins and whales

The dolphin watching cruise we took in Port Stephens was a highlight of the early days of our Australia year!

We took a dolphin watching cruise with Imagine Cruises, on a catamaran with a small group. I imagine it gets busier at peak times, but there were only around 12 people on our cruise (I think the maximum is around 30) so it felt like a really intimate experience.

I was only expecting to get a few minor sightings, but I was WAY underestimating. We tracked a whole pod of dolphins as they splashed through the water. The boom net in the boat gave me a perfect view when they decided to appear right alongside us!

If you’re there at the right time (May-July and September-November), you can also take a longer cruise to spot magnificent whales as they migrate their way along the East Coast.

Meet the local koalas

My first experience of seeing the Australian tree-hugging icon took place right here at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary!

Home to the Port Stephens Koala Hospital, all the koalas at the sanctuary have been rescued from illness or injury in the wild. Aside from the adorable little fuzzballs that need special care and modifications, much of the environment is kept as close as possible to the koala’s natural habitats – making for a fun game of trying to spot them hiding in the trees!

Proceeds from the entry fee go towards supporting the conservation, care and rehabilitation of wild koalas in Port Stephens. Alongside making your way through the habitat along the tree-lined Skywalk, you might also get to see the koala hospital staff in action (non-invasive treatment only) through the viewing window.

Opening Times: 9am-4pm
Admission Fee: A$28 (adult), A$15 (child)

If you’re looking for somewhere unique to stay in Port Stephens, you can book one of the glamping tents on-site – with accommodation proceeds contributing to the sanctuary’s work.

Enjoy the views in Tomaree National Park

At the Eastern end of Port Stephens, Tomaree National Park is a stunning, lush green complement to the sparkling blue seas and desertlike sand dunes.

For the best ocean views in the region, Tomaree Head Summit is a popular trail. The summit walk is only 2.2km return, however the gradient is very steep with lots of stairs. Take in glimpses of Shoal Bay through the trees before you reach the summit. There’s also a (mostly flat) detour of just over 1km return to see the WWII gun emplacements at Fort Tomaree.

Take it all in at Gan Gan Lookout

For a more accessible viewpoint, Port Stephens’ highest lookout is accessible by car. Gan Gan Lookout offers expansive views of Nelson Bay.

Go exploring at Stockton Dunes

The Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving coastal sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere, stretching 32km along the Port Stephens coastline. I absolutely didn’t expect desert-like landscapes along the East Coast of Australia, but it was one of the most awe-inspiring things we saw in the early days of our trip.

We were satisfied with just taking a walk on the dunes, however there are even more ways to explore – especially if you’re after an adrenaline fix. For a thrilling adventure across the sand, join a one hour quad biking trip; or head out for unlimited sand boarding.

Take a ride at Toboggan Hill Park

For all ages action, Toboggan Hill Park is home to a variety of fun activities including a kilometre-long ride toboggan run, rock climbing, roller skating and mini golf. We didn’t actually visit because it was the school holidays, but for families visiting Port Stephens, it’s a great one to keep the kids entertained.

Prices start at A$15 for entry + one ride ticket, with multi ride tickets starting at A$38.00.

Hit the beach!

Boasting 26 beaches, Port Stephens is home to a variety of sandscapes, from charming coves and sheltered bays to wild-fringed coastal expanses. From popular spots to hidden gems, here’s where to stretch your toes in the sand:

• Birubi Beach – next to Stockton Dunes, offering easy access to sand dune tours and camel rides.
• Little Beach Reserve – a reliable sandy shore for pelican spotting
• Shoal Bay Beach – a picturesque and calm spot for water activities, surrounded by bushland scenery
• If you’re looking for more secluded spots in rugged coves, try Zenith Beach, Wreck Beach or Box Beach.

Sit in a jet at Fighter World

For fans of aviation, Fighter World offers the opportunity to get up close to iconic Australian military planes and weapons. This hands-on visitor experience will give you the chance to sit in the cockpit of a Macchi or Mirage fighter jet, and even have a go at flying yourself in their motion simulator (advance booking required at an additional cost.

Once you’ve taken in all the museum’s artefacts and stories, head to the Observation Deck to watch RAAF planes take off and land.

Go beyond Port Stephens:

• The Ultimate Guide To Warrumbungle National Park
• How to Spend A Perfect Day In Noosa Heads, Queensland
• K’gari Explorer Review: Cheapest Fraser Island Day Tour