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.
Margaret's Hamptons Cottage
From $278
Amarna Luxury Beach Resort
From $340
SUNSET@CORLETTE
From $406
The Beach Townhouse
From $492
Mantra Nelson Bay
From $90
Peninsula Nelson Bay
From $96
Magnus Street The Poplars Unit 30 34
From $102
Hotel Nelson
From $114
Columbia Unit 3 12 Columbia Close
From $115
Carindale Unit 13/19-23 Dowling Street
From $115
Oaks Lure
From $116
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Shoal Bay
From $119
30 Bay Parklands 2 Gowrie Avenue
From $120
Reflections Holiday Parks Jimmys Beach
From $123
Marina Resort Nelson Bay
From $125
Amore At The Beach
From $131
1 19 Norburn Avenue Nelson Bay
From $131
Landmark Resort
From $134
Mistral Close Mistral Court Unit 16 17
From $142
Beaches Serviced Apartments
From $142
Weatherly Close Ocean Shores Unit 10 27
From $150
Halifax Holiday Park
From $157
Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort
From $165
Boathouse Resort Water Front
From $170
The Anchorage Unit 12/9 Laman Street
From $179
Carrington No 4 - Nelson Bay CBD
From $180
Anne's Waterfront Haven B&B
From $186
Shoal Bay Holiday Park
From $190
The Domain
From $200
Cote D'Azur
From $204
The Dunes15 38 Marine Dr fabulous unit with pool tennis court and across the road to the beach
From $211
Harbourview Penthouse
From $214
Florentine Unit 14 11 Columbia Close
From $215
Bay Parklands Unit 27/2 Gowrie Avenue
From $242
Promenade 12 8 Intrepid Close
From $242
The Hamptons Beach House on Dutchies
From $245
Wreck Beach Cottage @ Shoal Bay
From $250
Bali at the Bay
From $254
Moy at Nelson Bay 2/30 Thurlow Avenue
From $256
Seaspray Villa 5
From $269
Lentara Dream @ Fingal Bay
From $285
Albacore Unit 7/12 Ondine Close
From $299
Commodore 8 6 Intrepid Close
From $317
Government Road 2/161
From $318
Ocean Beach Road 22
From $328
Anchorage Port Stephens
From $339
Del Rae 14
From $353
506 The Shoal
From $355
Blue Fish - 41 Boulder Bay Road
From $376
Oasis Unit 9/5 Laman Street
From $387
Breakwater Apartment 205
From $468
Breakwater Apartment 403
From $679
Ebb and Flow @ Corlette
From $704
Government Road 13
From $956
Tomaree Road 16
From $1109
