Welcome to Australia's dolphin capital! Nestled along the New South Wales coastline, Port Stephens is renowned for its idyllic bays, Southern Hemisphere’s largest moving sand dunes, coastal trails and vibrant marine life, making it the perfect destination for beach enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike! This itinerary will include an interactive map with activity booking links, our travel tips, and details for each activity, including places to stay, eat at and hike to!
If you're looking for sun-soaked bliss and outdoor adventure, look no further! Explore the captivating beauty and endless possibilities that make Port Stephens an irresistible gem on the Australian coast through this guide!
Let's do it! 3 action packed days in Port Stephens + Nelson's Bay! If its a shorter trip or longer, we've marked the must dos with stars through the trip - try incorporating those or adding the 'OR' options for the 4/5th day!Be sure to check the weather and pack accordingly, especially don't forget sunscreen! This is tweaked a bit for a summer itinerary with more daylight time.
Day 1
If you want to make the most of Day 1 be sure to leave latest by 8 am so you get to Port Stephens by 10.30am for your first adventure! (You can also choose optional activities and have a relaxed start to the day.
10.30am Quad Biking, Sand Boarding and 4WD!
Start with experiencing what Port Stephens is most famous for, its sand dunes at Anna Bay, you can sand board down them, walk or ride a camel along them or take a 4WD tour here (unless you have your own and want to do that yourself!)
As a proud venture of the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, they prioritize preserving and sharing the rich stories, culture, and heritage of the Worimi people. This hands-on, interactive experience provides a deep insight into Worimi culture, promoting a profound connection to the country. Visit for an adventure that is as culturally enriching as it is thrilling, set against the stunning backdrop of Port Stephens.
Timings - 10am to 3:30pm for day rides.
Quad Bike tour price - AUD $119.
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While this is great fun, it could be a bit pricey for your weekend so you could jump straight into sandboarding and 4WD experience:
Set on an exhilarating 1.5 hours sandboarding adventure in Port Stephens – a must-do for your bucket list! Sandboarding Australia @ 4WD Tour R Us welcomes you to join in for an Unlimited Sandboarding Adventure starting from the picturesque Birubi Beach in Anna Bay. Climb to the summit, take a seat on your sandboard, and plunge down the dunes for an adrenaline-packed ride. Experienced instructors are always on hand to assist and share insights about sandboarding and the dunes, guaranteeing a maximum fun quotient!
The entire Mount Tomaree Costal walk is +20km long and one of the most beautiful hikes in NSW! But it can be broken in phases and we suggest the 7km hike to Fingal Bay which is still rewarding and covers the some great highlights.
A 27km, Grade 4 hike, mainly because of the length
of the track, get ready for picture perfect views even if you do the shorter 7km hike!
The hike can be broken into 3 sections and you can pick any or the whole thing based on your fitness level:
1. Tomaree Head Summit to Fingal Bay - 7 km.
2. Fingal Bay to One Mile - 11 km.
3. One Mile to Birubi Point - 9 km.
You could also just to do the Mount Tomaree Summit Walk which is a 2.2km hike (which we did!) recommended next.
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OR Spot whales from afar!
Whale season is generally May-Oct, but sometimes until November too!
Spot whales and enjoy stunning views of Fingal Bay as well!
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Depending on the time and season you are here (sunset could be at 8pm or 5pm!) you could either check in to your hotel for a quick shower and step out again or head straight for your next experience:
6pm Begin the journey to one of the most epic summit walks in NSW
As the sun dips below the horizon, immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of Port Stephens with a sunset hike. Whether atop Tomaree Head or along the coastline, the warm hues of the setting sun paint the landscape, creating a mesmerizing canvas of colors. Standing at 161 meters above the entrance, this must-see destination treats you to unparalleled views of islands, beaches, and historic landmarks. A perfect blend of nature and history, this short trail invites you to savor the essence of Port Stephens in every step.
It's a grade 5 trek (mainly because its steep) that takes around 1.5 - 2 hours overall. The distance return is 2.2 kms and so worth it!
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Don't forget to give yourself enough time to walk back down the trail before it gets too dark. We took the stair path going up and slope side coming down!
As the sun rises over this idyllic destination, dive deeper into the wonders of this coastal haven - on an exhilarating and thrilling journey of discovering hidden gems. Set out on a fresh day of exploration, embracing the endless possibilities that make every moment in Port Stephens a new and unforgettable experience.
This was truly one of the most epic experiences we've had! If you joined our community last year you might remember how we dint see a single whale, dolphin or anything really on our first whale watching tour so we were determined to head straight to the Dolphin Capital of @australia for round two and it was totally worth the wait!! 🐳 🦭🐬
We saw dolphins, seals, and whales, and the team at @dolphinswimaustralia go out of their way to make sure you're comfortable and having the best time throughout!
🐬 Dolphin Swim $349
🐳 Dolphin Watch $89
This includes all your equipment, champagne brunch and photos/videos the team takes for you during the ~4.5 hour tour! Trust us this is a bucklist activity you do not want to miss! ❤️
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OR hop on a Whale/Dolphin watching cruise
⭐Dolphin/Whale Watch Cruise with Swimming & Slides
In the summer be sure to experience Dolphins swimming up to the boat and get to know all about these fascinating creatures. Winter time you can also go for their Whale watching tour! where you could see both dolphins and whales as you go deeper into the ocean!
You could head to Shoal Bay for a paddle board session now or sunset time but this is such a fun experience! The owners are super friendly and make it easy even if its your first time!
Have the most adorable afternoon watching Koala's at this new Koala Sanctuary. (You will also meet Koala's at the Oakvale Wildlife Park so this is marked as an optional one)
Guaranteed smiles this afternoon! Take a self guided sky walk and learn all about koala and the individual stories of the ones you see there.This Sanctuary has been built to help koala's who have been in accidents and releases them back in the wild once they are fit to go back into into the world!.
Step into the realm of Oakfield Ranch, where a distinctive adventure awaits – Camel Rides through the enchanting landscapes of Port Stephens. Join this one-of-a-kind experience, the rhythmic footsteps of these gentle giants will carry you across sandy shores and through the serene beauty of the Australian bush. It's not just the ride; it's the journey that unveils the natural wonders and coastal charm that make Port Stephens truly special. Saddle up for an exploration that blends the ancient allure of camel riding with the breathtaking scenery of Oakfield Ranch.
Oakvale Wildlife Park, where the wonders of the animal kingdom come to life in the heart of Port Stephens. Make the most of your experience by attending the various talks and activities along with the exciting interactions! 11am is usually the first Farm yard feeding show! and the 11am tracker trail ride is great to have a complete tour of the park so you can choose where you want to go next! You can even get up close for their encounters with various animals and kids can enjoy the splash park!
This family-friendly park offers a captivating blend of educational experiences and up-close encounters with a diverse array of wildlife. From cuddly koalas to playful kangaroos, Oakvale invites visitors of all ages to connect with nature and learn about the fascinating creatures that call Australia home. Visit for a day of exploration, discovery, and unforgettable moments in the company of some of the Australia's most beloved residents!
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Do buy the $2/bag animal feed so you can feed all the animals inside (even camels!). One is plenty!
Dive into an unforgettable marine adventure at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters where you learn so much and get up close to these ocean wonders! 3.30pm is last entry so be sure to be here by then!
Get ready to connect with the ocean's wonders, from graceful rays to awe-inspiring sharks. Whether you're a marine enthusiast or a first-time explorer, Irukandji offers a unique and thrilling experience, blending education, conservation, and up-close encounters for an unforgettable underwater journey
Gorgeous views of Tomaree Mountain, Anna Bay and Nelson Bay, Yacaaba Headland and Hawks Nest all from one place! You will also notice the unique bright pink Gymea Lilies like our photo here. Be sure to take some photos here to capture your beautiful trip memories!
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Grab a bite from one of the restaurants you missed or a drive through as you make your way back to Sydney with lots of new memories :)
We are so excited that you want to explore NSW and hope this guide has helped you get started! Please send us a message on Instagram once you use this guide for your trip and let us know what you'd like to see next! We would love to cheer your travels on!
Accommodation
Here are some accommodation options: Please note there are plenty stay options on the other side like the Karuah one mentioned below, but it's a 45 min drive to the other side where all the action is!
Budget stay but a little inconvenient location with everything on the other side. We stayed here though because of a last minute booking and it was really comfy!
There is also the Hawks Nest Area on the other side but we have mainly covered the Nelson Bay side here. If you want to explore the above Hawks Nest region, we have read many blogs mentioning Jimmy's Beach, Bennet's Beach, Yacaaba Head and Dark Point, but since we haven't been to the area, we haven't pinned them here.
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Hey! Welcome to our slice on the internet! We moved to Australia for our masters in 2019 and have been in love with the country ever since. We lived in Melbourne for 3 years before moving to Sydney for work and that's where Hat Explores was born to help you Travel Smart with a 9-5 like us! We help you money go further and our style of travelling is a mix of adventure, food and nature based experiences perfect for solo travellers, couples and even families looking for a fun filled trip. Each of our guides are curated and made after hours of research and planning including all activity links, an interactive map, directions, videos and links for more in depth detail as well. So just choose one and lets explore Australia together!
