Port Stephens

A bayside holiday region north of Sydney, where resident dolphins, Stockton Bight — the largest coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere — and the Tomaree Head lookout make Nelson Bay a popular weekend escape.

Port Stephens lies about 200 km north of Sydney and about 50 km northeast of Newcastle. It is a natural bay larger than Sydney Harbour, ringed by small towns such as Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, Fingal Bay and Anna Bay, with most tourism concentrated on the Tomaree Peninsula on the southern shore at the mouth of the bay. Known as the "Dolphin Capital", the bay is home to a resident population of bottlenose dolphins, and humpback whales migrate along the coast in winter and spring. To the south lie the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes — the largest mobile coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere — along with more than twenty beaches.

Areas to explore: first, Nelson Bay Marina, for dolphin cruises, whale-watching trips and seafood; second, Tomaree National Park — climb Tomaree Head for panoramic views, then visit Shoal Bay, Zenith Beach, Fingal Bay and One Mile Beach, and at low tide walk across the sand spit to Point Stephens Lighthouse; third, the Anna Bay area, for sandboarding and camel rides on the dunes, with the koala sanctuary and a shark and ray encounter centre on the way; fourth, the northern shore of the bay — take the ferry to Hawks Nest or continue north to Myall Lakes National Park.

Seasons: Dec–Mar (summer) is best for swimming and water activities, though school holidays bring crowds and higher prices; May–Nov is whale-watching season, with cool weather ideal for hiking. Getting there: driving is easiest, about 2.5 hours from Sydney; you can also fly into Newcastle Airport (Williamtown), about 35 minutes from Nelson Bay, and direct coaches run from Sydney. Local buses are infrequent, so hiring a car is recommended. Allow 2–3 days. Note that the ocean beaches often have rip currents — swim between the red and yellow flags — and check the tides before crossing the Fingal Spit.

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