Cultivate a passion for local produce
Reap the rewards of the superb produce on the doorstep of Port Stephens, from freshly caught seafood to just-picked avocados, on a self-guided tour of its top foodie offerings.
Bask in the warmth of the morning sun as you start your day on a delicious note at The Little Nel café overlooking the bay, where seasonal indulgences include Biscoff Belgian waffles and chorizo and halloumi croquettes.
Dazzle your taste buds with plump oysters grown and harvested just offshore, juicy local prawns or fresh fish and go straight to the source on the wharf at Nelson Bay Fish Market, in Nelson Bay, where trawlers daily deposit their catches. Or head next door to Bub’s Fish and Chips to savour hot and cold seafood including indulgent platters and seriously tasty fish and chips.
Be inspired by the Holbert family’s dedication to oyster farming, which spans five generations, at Holberts Oyster Farm in Cromarty Bay. Take away a platter of molluscs, or order a bottle of wine and devote an evening to an alfresco feast at a picnic table overlooking the serene water.
If a great meal by the sea is the way to your heart, you’ll also love nautically themed Little Beach Boathouse in Nelson Bay, where the gourmet modern Australian dishes are just as fresh as the views. Or soak up the Mediterranean vibes at Atmos in the Shoal Bay Country Club, a Greek restaurant so authentic it was designed by Athenian architects.
Take a hearty sip of the region at Murray’s Brewing Company at Bobs Farm, which brings local beer together with regional wine and an impressive range of dining experiences, from high tea accompanied by decadent pastries to regionally focused fine dining at Restaurant William.
Chalk up a memorable wildlife encounter
Climb aboard a whale-watching cruise with Moonshadow–TQC Cruises or Imagine Cruises to marvel at the spectacular aerobatic displays of humpback whales as they pass Port Stephens during their annual migration between May and November. Keep your eyes peeled for flocks of oceanic birds and the fur seals lolling about on Cabbage Tree Island, and thrill to sightings of Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park’s famous bottlenose dolphins. For a truly immersive experience, join Dolphin Swim Australia for an exhilarating swim alongside the playful marine creatures.
If you don’t already adore koalas, you’re bound to develop a soft spot for the fuzzy icons on a visit to Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, where you can view these marsupials in their natural habitat and discover what the centre is doing to help protect and care for them — there’s an on-site hospital for injured animals — as well as the environment they call home.
Koalas also compete for your attention in Tomaree National Park, where you can take an invigorating 2.2km-return hike to the summit of Tomaree Head to revel in the enlivening views along the coast.
Find your happy place to play
Take your pick from three fabulous places to tee off in Port Stephens. Look out for kangaroos, wallabies and more as you play at Nelson Bay Golf Club, a 27-hole championship course set over 70 wildlife-rich hectares. Just a short drive west in Salamander Bay is Horizons Golf Resort, a scenic 18-hole championship course with manicured greens and a soothing lakes system. Yet another 18-hole championship course awaits at Pacific Dunes, which regularly takes home awards for its challenging fairways.
See your kids’ faces light up when you take them to Nelson Bay’s Splash Waterpark, a wonderland on the sea packed with inflatable toys for thrill-seekers of all ages to jump off, slide down and fall onto. If you prefer to stay dry, get a buzz at Toboggan Hill Park, a fun, adventure-filled activity zone in Nelson Bay. Surrounded by native bush, the site features a toboggan track, mini golf, giant maze, tractor rides, indoor rock climbing and more.
Get up close and personal with the native and domestic farm animals at Oakvale Wildlife Park. Set over 10 hectares of native forest, it’s a haven for all manner of creatures. Get hands-on to help feed baby farm animals and feel yourself unwind during encounters with ducklings, sheep and horses as well as koalas, kangaroos and wombats.
After lazing on Port Stephens’s golden sands, feel a jolt of energy as you jump on a quad bike to explore the longest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere with Sand Dune Adventures, which pairs adrenalin with Aboriginal culture on its innovative Stockton Beach tours. Pile on the thrills with a sandboarding excursion with 4WD Tours R Us, or simply focus on enjoying the scenery during a camel ride on Birubi Beach with Oakfield Ranch.
Sleep in style by the water
Slide into 1970s mode at Bannisters Port Stephens, a remodelled hotel that pays homage to a glamorous bygone era of travel with its 80 barefoot-luxe rooms complemented by the lauded Rick Stein seafood restaurant. Slip into the infinity pool overlooking the glittering bay, explore the national parkland, or spend the afternoon relaxing at the luxurious Spa Bannisters, where you can rejuvenate with a range of therapies and deluxe body and facial treatments.
Or end your day on a luxurious high within the Hamptons-chic haven of the Anchorage Hotel & Spa, where Moby’s Bar is a perfect perch to sample a selection of the world’s finest whiskies and wines while soaking up the restorative views out over the marina. Pair your drink of choice with a platter of gourmet antipasti or succulent Sydney rock oysters, then retire to your room suite or villa — ask for one with a private water-view patio so you can enjoy being that little bit closer to nature.
