A day trip to Port Stephens from Sydney: What to see, eat & do

Morning 

As soon as you arrive in Port Stephens, head for the Shoal Bay Country Club and its Mermaids cafe for breakfast. Fuel up with buttermilk waffles, a spanner crab omelette or shakshuka – you’ll need the energy for what’s coming next. 

Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay - Credit: Shoal Bay Country Club

Tomaree Head sits at the southern entrance to Port Stephens Bay and rises to 161 metres. The short but challenging walk to the summit takes around 45 minutes and you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views along the coast. Spot the Port Stephens Lighthouse and the World War II gun emplacements close to the base of the hill. Bring binoculars to spot dolphins and whales (during winter). 

Tomaree Head Summit Walk, Port Stephens

Once you’re back at sea level, it’s time for a dip. There are 26 glorious beaches to choose from in Port Stephens, so there’s a spot for every mood. The calm waters of Shoal Bay are perfect for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding, or grab your surfboard and hit the waves at Birubi Beach. The small Zenith Beach is something of a hidden gem – tucked between rugged headlands, you can often spot dolphins in the water. 

Shoal Bay, Port Stephens

Afternoon  

This afternoon is all about adventure. The Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, inside the Worimi Conservation Lands, stretch for 32 kilometres and are the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. You can slide down them on a sandboard with 4WD Tours R Us, drive across them on a tag along 4WD tour with Sand Dune Safaris or learn about the area’s rich Aboriginal heritage on a guided ATV tour with Sand Dune Adventures. 

Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, Port Stephens

Alternatively, get acquainted with some of the local wildlife. Port Stephens is home to one of the last remaining koala populations on the east coast and the community is committed to protecting them and their habitat. Learn more about this important work at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary. Follow the Sanctuary SKYwalk to spot koalas in the trees or look through the window of the state-of-the-art Koala Hospital. 

Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile

Kids will love Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, where they can get hands on with local marine life. Wade into the shallow, sandy lagoon to feed and pet the rays, or go deeper to swim and snorkel alongside stingrays and zebra, tawny nurse and white-tipped reef sharks. You can also listen to informative talks about their sea creatures and the centre’s important conservation work. 

Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay

Evening 

As dusk approaches, make your way back to Birubi Beach for a sunset camel ride with Oakfield Ranch. You’ll form a convoy on these ‘ships of the desert’ to walk through the shallows as the sun dips below the horizon. Bring your camera for some epic shots. 

Oakfield Ranch Camel Rides, Port Stephens

Cap off a picture-perfect day in Port Stephens at the Little Beach Boathouse. Downstairs is the Below Deck Cafe and Bar, which sits right on the calm waters of Nelson Bay and is the ideal spot to toast your coastal adventure. 

Little Beach Boathouse, Nelson Bay - Credit: Sally Dunwell Turk