FAQ

  • Why should I visit Port Stephens?

    Port Stephens is an easy 2.5 hours drive from Sydney with its beautiful beaches, stunning sand dunes, coastal walks, national parks, pristine waters, carefree laid back lifestyle and a great range of accommodation.

    A holiday to Port Stephens is all about the sea and sand, tasting freshly caught seafood, wading in the clear waters and sandboarding down the spectacular Stockton Sand Dunes.

    Port Stephens is one of the most incredible natural ‘stages’ on earth with a wealth of ‘bucket-list’ worthy experiences waiting for you. 

  • How can I get to Port Stephens from Sydney?

    portstephens.org.au/stay/travel-information/getting-here

  • Where can I hire a car from?

  • We are only here for 2 hours, what can we do?

    A dolphin watch cruise; drive out to the sand dunes and ride the camels or take a sandboarding tour; walk up Tomaree Head Summit; visit the Inner Light Tea Rooms & Maritime Museum; stand up paddle boarding or snorkeling; a walk in the Tomaree National Park or Native Flora Gardens; walk or cycle along the foreshore; visit the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre; enjoy a meal at one of the cafes or restaurants; or simply grab an ice cream and wander the local boutique stores.

    portstephens.org.au/see-and-do

  • Where are the best fishing spots?

    Fingal Beach; Nelson Bay breakwall at the end of Teramby Rd; all the jetties throughout the port especially Salamander Bay, Taylors Beach, Lemon Tree Passage and Karuah; from a boat in any of the channels west of Soldiers Point - around Tilligerry Creek, Bull Island or the entrance to the Karuah River; the entire foreshore from Wanda Beach to Shoal Bay. Stay clear of rock fishing with children, even in the calmest conditions!

    Recreational fishing permit required. No fishing in the sanctuary zones.

  • I want to drive on the sand dunes, how do I do this?

    All vehicles entering the Worimi Conservation Lands must be registered and display a valid beach permit. There are two types of permits available 1. Beach Vehicle Permits 2. Recreational Vehicle Area Permits including quads & motorbikes.

    Permit Costs and where to purchase refer to the Worimi Conservation Lands website CLICK HERE.

    The Worimi Conservation Lands are located in the Port Stephens area, north of Newcastle. Vehicle access is available for 4WDs.

    There are two entrances to the WCL:
    - via Lavis Lane at Williamtown
    - via Gan Gan Road at Anna Bay

     

  • Where is there free camping in Port Stephens?

    There is no free camping in Port Stephens. There is no charge for the sites at Samurai Beach in the designated camping area at the northern end of the beach behind the dunes however there is a $6 booking fee and bookings are required. Single vehicle entry and exit (beach permit required) with no driving on the dunes allowed. No personal hygiene facilities, camping toilet required. No fires allowed, gas BBQ's accepted. Both the beach and camping area are part of the clothing optional beach.

    Alternately the holiday parks in Port Stephens offer great camping facilities. 

  • Where can I see dolphins from the shore?

    You can be lucky to see dolphins from the shore at most of our beaches, predominantly calm water beaches. D'Albora Marina, Anchorage Marina and Little Beach are great locations.

    There are dolphin watch cruises which offer a 99% success rate if you want to be sure so hop aboard. 

  • How do I get to Dock C?

    Dock C is located at d'Albora Marina in Nelson Bay, Teramby Road - behind the Visitor Information Centre.

  • Where are the best walks?

    Tomaree Head Summit walk; Fort Tomaree walk to the gun emplacements; along the waterfront from D'Albora Marina to Dutchmans & Bagnalls Beach; Wreck Beach walk from Shoal Bay; One Mile Beach; Fingal Bay along the cycle path.

    portstephens.org.au/trails

  • Where is the closest shopping centre or supermarket?

    • Nelson Bay CBD - Woolworths
    • Salamander Bay Square - Coles, Woolworths and Aldi (Town Centre Cct) and specialty stores 
    • Salamander Bay Friendly Grocer (on Soldiers Point Road)
    • Shoal Bay Village IGA (on Shoal Bay Rd)
    • Fingal Bay Friendly Grocer (Market Street)
    • Anna Bay IGA (Gan Gan Road)
    • Medowie - Coles and Woolworths (Ferodale Road)
    • Tilligerry Peninsula - Coles, Tanilba Bay
    • Raymond Terrace MarketPlace - Woolworths (William Street) and specialty stores 
  • Where can I find free parking?

    Port Stephens has mostly free parking excluding Nelson Bay CBD and d'Albora Marina foreshore at designated times.

    Port Stephens uses Smart Parking. Download the Park'nPay app to help you find a park or set your parking time without going to the meter. The meters still accept card and coin payment.

    Read more about parking in Port Stephens. 

  • Where are the best snorkelling spots ?

    Discover a thriving underwater oasis at our famous Fly Point Park located between Nelson Bay and Little Beach. Access is best at high tide.

  • What can I do with my children?

    There are a host of activities including dolphin and whale watching, Irukandji Shark and Ray animal encounters, a day at one of our pristine beaches, the movies, Oakvale Wildlife Park, Fighterworld, Toboggan Hill Park, sandboarding the dunes, parks and playgrounds, fishing, hire a bike, Go Kart, SUP, kayaking, learn to surf, Koala Sanctuary, play cafes, putt putt ... the list is endless.

  • What golf courses do you have in Port Stephens?

    There are golf courses galore. Nelson Bay Golf Club, Horizons at Salamander Bay, Pacific Dunes at Medowie, Tanilba Bay Golf Club, Muree Golf Club at Raymond Terrace, David Grahams par 3 at Anna Bay and Tanilba Bay Golf Club.  

    More details click here.

  • How can I get from the airport to Port Stephens?

    There is a bus service by Port Stephens Coaches. pscoaches.com.au/newcastle-airport-bus

    portstephens.org.au/stay/travel-information/getting-here

    Car hire is available and there are waiting taxi's and airport transport services.

  • Where can I see whales from land?

    The best viewing locations are Barry Park at Fingal Bay. The Boat Harbour headlands. Birubi Point at Anna Bay. Fisherman Bay headland. Tomaree Head Summit at Shoal Bay. 

    For everything whales the Wild About Whales website has all the information you need.

  • Where can I spot a koala?

    The Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary is a great way to see koalas in their natural habitat. With a koala centre, hospital, sanctuary story walk pathway and SKYwalk viewing platform its a unique treetop experience (entry fee applies). Tilligerry Habitat is a favourite feeding and resting spot for local koalas. The habitat offers guided walks on local history, culture and the environment or grab a free map and follow the easy walking tracks.

  • Where can I find the best lookouts?

    Tomaree Headland Summit offers the most beautiful vantage point of Port Stephens and is an hour and a half round walk. You can drive to Gan Gan Lookout in Nelson Bay with views up and down to the coast. The Inner Lighthouse at Little Beach offers spectacular views over Shoal Bay and Barry Park at Fingal Bay is a great lookout to spot the whales. Birubi Beach Surf Lifesaving Club platform looks over the sand dunes all the way along the 32km of Stockton beach. 

  • Where are the sand dunes located?

    The sand dunes are at Anna Bay, 15 minutes from the Nelson Bay CBD. You drive to the end of James Patterson Street and parking is available. 

  • Where can I see the best sunset?

    Gan Gan Lookout - the highest point in Port Stephens. Soldiers Point - Sunset Beach, Soldiers Point marina or the boat ramp are all great locations. Little Beach at Nelson Bay. Roy Wood Reserve at Corlette, and Taylors Beach.

    Any west facing locations throughout Port Stephens will offer spectacular sunsets.

  • Where can I purchase a beach permit?

    Beach and dune driving is one of the most popular activities for visitors to the Stockton Sand Dunes and Worimi Conservation Lands. All vehicles entering the Worimi Conservation Lands must be registered and display a valid Worimi Conservation Lands beach vehicle permit.

    More information on 4WD beach permits and where to purchase can be found on the Port Stephens website or the Worimi Conservation Lands website.

  • Where can I purchase a recreational fishing licence?

    When fishing in NSW waters, both freshwater and saltwater, you are required by law to pay the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee.

    These can be purchased online or at most fishing tackle shops and agents.

    Duffs Bait & Tackle, Salamander Bay
    Tackleworld, Nelson Bay
    Anglerz Corner, Lemon Tree Passage