- intouch Magazine
Discover PORT STEPHENS
If you love sparkling waterways, pristine beaches, whales, dolphins, bushwalking, cycling, kayaking, sailing, golf, parasailing, fine dining, shopping, fresh produce, wineries, breweries, sliding down sand dunes, quadbiking, horse riding, waterfront dining, spectacular sunsets and friendly people.... then you’re going to love Port Stephens!
It may be a relatively small dot on the global tourism map, but mother nature tipped a generous hand to Port Stephens when it came to inheriting its share of beautiful scenery and amazing attractions. With a Marine Park comprising 26 beaches, a bay twice the size of Sydney Harbour and monumental sand-dunes (the largest in the southern hemisphere) – all making this a fabulous destination for just “getting away from it all!”
Easily accessible, just 20 mins from Newcastle Airport, Port Stephens is known as the “blue water paradise” for the beauty and abundance of its marine surroundings that include over 32 km’s of clean, white, sandy beaches, which in some areas (such as Stockton) are as much as 1km wide.
This truly unique part of the world has something to please just about every taste and budget. Whether you chose to camp out under a million stars or stay in five-star luxury comfort, accommodation of all types can be found throughout Port Stephens from backpackers lodges to holiday parks, tents, cabins, self-contained apartments, holiday homes, bed & breakfast, studio apartments to hotel rooms and resorts.
The spectacular dining options are matched by equally stunning locations amongst waterfront villages where local restaurants and bistro menus are crowded with freshly caught fish, local oysters and Hunter Valley wines. Sidewalk cafés, great coffee and a boutique brewery all add to the myriad of options.
The area is also popular amongst fourwheel driving, sand boarding, quad bike riding and fishing enthusiasts with numerous adventure companies within the area willing to provide guided tours.
For the adventurous and young at heart, take the 45-minute walk to the Tomaree Head Summit and be rewarded with epic views that take in local islands and a seemingly endless coastline; go camel or horse riding on the beach, sand-boarding at breakneck speed down enormous dunes or boating alongside breaching whales.
Alternatively, simply sit back and relax while you indulge in a soothing body scrub as you reach for a glass of bubbles.
With a reputation for being the 'dolphin capital of Australia’, the Port is home to a resident population of over 150 playful dolphins with dolphin watch cruises operating all year round.
There are also more whale sightings from Port Stephens than anywhere else on Australia's East Coast, so jump aboard one of local whale watching cruise companies that operate from May through to November each year. You can also whale watch from numerous vantage points on the shore in Port Stephens.
See for yourself what everyone is talking about… and be prepared to be relaxed, exhilarated, enchanted and amazed.
Pictured top: Seeing the sand dunes is a must - check out Sand Dune Safaris www.sanddunesafaris.com.au
