The Australian Bucket List

New South Wales

Port StephensFresh seafood, sun, sand and surf! Swim in crystal clear waters and go sandboarding down the spectacular Stockton Sand Dunes.

Port Stephens is an idyllic coastal paradise. Fabulous scenery typified by volcanic peaks along the coastline to crystal clear bays fringed by golden sand. Cruise out onto the bay to enjoy a dolphin watch with resident bottlenose dolphins, or even go whale watching from May to November. Learn to scuba dive or enjoy a spot of fishing. Take in a little history enjoying morning tea at the Inner Lighthouse, fly down hill on the toboggan run, quad biking on the sand dunes, or even down giant 40 metre sand dunes on a sand board, then sit back and relax enjoying fresh local seafood at one of the waterfront restaurants. If you want to do something really different, have a swim with wild dolphins. Whatever your reason for visiting Port Stephens it's guaranteed you'll have the best of times.

Gallery

Things to do

Hire a jet ski

Nelson Bay Jet Ski Hire is one of the last places in New South Wales where you can hire a high-speed watercraft with no licence or experience required. Come see what it's like to ride a jet ski in a safe supervised area. Take it easy or go as fast as you can - it's up to you. You can take the jet ski out on your own or take a friend. Whatever you do it will be the most fun you will have on the water!

Relax at Fingal Bay Beach

Fingal Beach is a glorious white sand beach tucked under Fingal Head. This family-friendly, patrolled surf beach is perfect to catch a wave, catch a fish, or just catch a sunrise on your early morning walk or for a relaxing Sunday afternoon drink overlooking the beach. Fingal Spit is a sand spit that links the mainland to Fingal Island. The island is still accessible by boat and well worth taking a cruise which includes a fully guided nature walk visiting an Aboriginal fish trap lagoon, as well as Point Stephens Lighthouse and ruined caretakers cottage.

Go for a camel ride

Experience the thrill of the ships of the desert over the vast sand dunes of Port Stephens. Enjoy a relaxing ride along the sands of Birubi Beach at Anna Bay. Operating Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Every Day of NSW Public School Holidays. 20 minute day rides - No booking required. 60-minute sunset rides - Bookings essential.

Quad bike at Worimi Sand Dunes

Sand Dune Adventures (SDA) offers clients an exclusive 'Cultural Quad Bike Riding' experience like no other; traversing the majestic and traditional landscape of the Worimi Sand Dunes / Port Stephens in NSW, recorded as the largest coastal moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. Customers ride safely from bush to beach on a 400cc quad bike and take in the glorious views of the sweeping coastline (no experience necessary) with experienced Aboriginal guides. Customers receive hands-on introductions to authentic Aboriginal culture and history, visiting ancient campsites and learning about the local bush foods, medicines and the secrets of finding fresh water. SDA tours cater from beginners to the experience and offer the thrill of riding sand dunes that climb as high as 100 feet. So if it is adrenalin or just cruising; SDA offers the greatest adventure on one of Australia's greatest kept secrets, the Worimi Sand Dunes!

Explore Worimi National Park

Worimi National Park, a special Aboriginal place near Newcastle offers whale watching, fishing and beach driving. Worimi National Park – along with Worimi State Conservation Area and Worimi Regional Park – is part of the Worimi Conservation Lands. Located near Newcastle, the Worimi Conservation Lands are owned and co-managed by the local Worimi Aboriginal community in partnership with NSW National Parks. This significant landscape is home to an extraordinary number of ancient cultural sites. If you’re visiting for the day, you’ll find there is heaps to do; fishing, whale watching and birdwatching, as well as the ever-popular pastime of beach driving. There are also Aboriginal and historic sites to see, and don’t miss the gigantic Stockton dunes; the largest moving coastal sand dunes in the southern hemisphere. With so much to do, you might need to extend your stay. A range of accommodation options are available within a short distance of the park - contact the Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre for more details.

Related tags