An unwritten rule, it seems, is enforced on the streets of Port Stephens, a rule that makes it impossible to not feel invigorated and cheerful. A location where people walk around in bathing suits, thongs and singlet tans, enjoying the twenty six white-sand beaches, the mountains, the shopping, and of course, the restaurants. Port Stephens is a place that should make an appearance on everyone’s bucket list.
GETTING THERE
Travel by car is most convenient, being a short two and half hours drive north of Sydney. The roads are car and caravan friendly with regular stops for food, petrol and bathrooms along the way. Travel by bus is also very reliable and convenient, with Port Stephens Coaches making regular return trips for a highly reasonable price depending on location – the coaches are air-conditioned, quiet and comfortable. Alternatively, flights are available to Newcastle Airport, which is located roughly fifteen kilometres from Port Stephens with buses regularly shuttling between the airport and Port Stephens. Return plane tickets from Sydney during the peak season of December/January are around $200 per adult.
STAY
CARAVAN- Halifax Caravan Park is set in natural bushland surroundings and is situated between two calm water beaches – Shoal Bay Beach and Little Beach. Halifax Caravan Park was a finalist in the 2014 NSW Tourist Awards and is a favourite with boating enthusiasts as it has a deep-water boat ramp beside the caravan park. It is a dog friendly park and is an easy fifteen-minute walk to the centre of Nelson Bay – Nelson Bay is the main town of Port Stephens. It also has its own shop/café with a large outdoor seating area. The Maritime Light House is located up the mountain beside the Caravan Park and has its own café with stunning 360-degree views. Pricing of the caravan park is subject to the time of year. Prices for powered van or camp sites start at $34 per night, and villas start at $100 per night, with varying sizes and styles.
HOTEL/UNIT/BED & BREAKFAST – there are endless options for accommodation throughout Port Stephens such as units, apartments, houses, bed & breakfasts and hotel rooms. Prices vary depending on size and location, but all accommodation in Nelson Bay is within walking distance to a beach and will almost always have beautiful water views.
DO
Port Stephens’ pristine beaches, bays and inlets offer crystal clear water, ideal for boating activities, surfing, diving, fishing and aquatic activities. Dolphin watch cruises are hugely popular, running all throughout the year, as well as whale watching cruises running from May to November. Spotter planes are used to search for whales and dolphins to almost guarantee an unforgettable experience.
There are a large number of mountain and coastal hikes to experience the very best views of the Bay, varying in time and difficulty. A must-do is the Tomaree Head mountain hike, with breathtaking 360 degree-views and amazing history, as the mountain was used during the Second World War and several gun emplacements and a radar station still exist today.
Camel riding, tobogganing down sand dunes, quad bike riding, an Olympic size swimming pool with a huge slide, snorkeling with turtles, fish and dolphins, surf lessons, I could go on for hours. Port Stephens really has an endless list of activities.
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The best time to travel to Port Stephens is during the hotter months of December and January so as to make the most of the beaches. During these months, a lot of activities are put on to accommodate the large number of tourists, including a carnival and markets as well as a spectacular firework show on New Years Eve. In saying that, Port Stephens is equally as beautiful all throughout the year and there will always be ways to make the most of your holiday. So visit whenever you can!
Go out for breakfast, go for a hike, go to the beach, go out for lunch, go to the beach some more, go shopping, play a game of backyard cricket with a cool drink, go for a late afternoon swim, go out for dinner, have a wine, go out for dessert, go to sleep late, wake up early, and repeat! Enjoy!
ASHLEIGH FIELD 