Offering eclectic water activities and the opportunity of glimpsing dolphins and whales, Port Stephens is a perennially popular daytrip for people visiting the Hunter Valley. Port Stephens is around 100kms from the Hunter Valley towns of Lovedale, Pokolbin and Singleton.
On average it is a 90-minute trip by road. An early start allows plenty of time before returning in the evening.
Port Stephens Great Lakes Park is a preservation area and sheltered bay that stretches inland for 15kms from the Tasman Sea. It is formed by the rivers Myall and Karuah. A school of up to 80 bottlenose dolphins reside in the lake and they are frequently sighted while frolicking in its waters. Between the last week of May and November it is whale watching season.
Point Stephens is the southern headland of the lake park. Fingal Bay is on the Tasman side of the headland and the best land-based place to spot humpback whales. Those wishing to get closer to these remarkable marine creatures could book themselves a cruise from Nelson Bay on the north side of the headland.
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Learn more about Port Stephens.
Find out about the weather in Port Stephens.
The beach at Shoal Bay is a delight for beach lovers. This beach and the popular One-Mile surfing beach and Samurai Naturists’ Beach are all a part of Point Stephens’ Tomaree National Park. Soldiers Point is on the lake-shore of the headland and the location of Salamander Shopping Centre as well as a cluster of shops and eateries.
The resort towns of Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens are on the north shore of the lake. Ferries run across to them from Nelson Bay. Playful dolphins invariably follow the ferry.
This district’s Bennetts Beach is popular with anglers and surfers. Parasailing, snorkelling and diving are other activity options from Port Stephens. Adventurists can try their hand at sandboarding and riding a quad bike on the dunes in the Worimi Conservation Lands.
Accommodation at Port Stephens
There is a great range of accommodation in Port Stephens to suit any budget and a great selection of one, two and three bedroom units in some of Port Stephens’ most popular locations.
Ducati's B and B
From $85
Amarna Luxury Beach Resort
From $405
The Beach Townhouse
From $557
Peninsula Nelson Bay
From $77
Amanda Court Unit 2/1 Weatherly Close
From $101
Landmark Resort
From $107
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Shoal Bay
From $113
Promenade 12 8 Intrepid Close
From $119
1 19 Norburn Avenue Nelson Bay
From $125
Carindale Unit 13/19-23 Dowling Street
From $125
Boathouse Resort Water Front
From $125
Amore At The Beach
From $130
Columbia Unit 3 12 Columbia Close
From $131
Oaks Lure
From $143
Hotel Nelson
From $147
Casablanca Enchanted Cottage
From $153
Government Road 2/161
From $168
Shoal Bay Holiday Park
From $173
Halifax Holiday Park
From $176
Beaches Serviced Apartments
From $183
Carrington No 4 - Nelson Bay CBD
From $186
Marina Resort Nelson Bay
From $191
Anne's Waterfront Haven B&B
From $191
Cote D'Azur
From $195
The Anchorage Unit 12/9 Laman Street
From $211
Oaks Pacific Blue Resort
From $215
Moana Blue Unit 3/87 Shoal Bay Road
From $221
Magnus Street The Poplars Unit 30 34
From $226
Weatherly Close Ocean Shores Unit 10 27
From $227
Mistral Close Mistral Court Unit 16 17
From $227
Mantra Nelson Bay
From $231
The Domain
From $238
Wreck Beach Cottage @ Shoal Bay
From $239
Moy at Nelson Bay 2/30 Thurlow Avenue
From $242
Dutchies Sand and Sea
From $247
Oasis Unit 3/5 Laman Street
From $252
Harbourview Penthouse
From $255
Shoal Bay Road Bella Vista Unit 17 19
From $256
The Hamptons Beach House on Dutchies
From $268
Ocean Beach Road 22
From $288
Bali at the Bay
From $298
Seaspray Villa 5
From $327
6 Shoal Edge
From $364
Breakwater Apartment 403
From $367
Anchorage Port Stephens
From $383
2 Cirrus
From $384
Oasis Unit 9/5 Laman Street
From $394
The Dunes15 38 Marine Dr fabulous unit with pool tennis court and across the road to the beach
From $451
Blue Fish - 41 Boulder Bay Road
From $597
Dutchies Dream
From $645
Albacore Unit 7/12 Ondine Close
From $755
Tomaree Road 16
From $856
Ebb and Flow @ Corlette
From $893
The Foreshore Superb Waterfront house
From $1426
