Port Stephens, a jewel on Australia's eastern coastline, draws travellers in with its mix of beautiful beaches, playful dolphins and outdoor adventures. In this guide to what to do in Port Stephens, you’ll discover the best things to experience across the warmer and cooler months. It’s a place to slow down, explore at your own pace, and make the most of every day by the coast.
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Why Port Stephens Should Be Your Next Holiday Destination
This destination offers a wide range of experiences waiting to be uncovered. From marine encounters and golden beaches to scenic walks and outdoor activities, there’s no shortage of things to do in Port Stephens throughout the year.
Whether you’re after relaxation or a bit of adventure, it’s a destination that’s easy to enjoy in your own way.
What to Do in Port Stephens in Summer
Relax on Port Stephens’ Best Beaches
Summer is the best time to make the most of Port Stephens’ beaches, whether you’re after surf, snorkelling or a slower day by the water. From the tucked-away Zenith Beach between Tomaree and Stephens Headland, ideal for sunbathing, photography and experienced surfers, to Wreck Beach at the base of Yacaaba Head, where clear waters make it great for snorkelling and exploring marine life, there’s plenty to discover.
Closer to Soldiers Point, you’ll find Sunset Beach, known for its calm waters and golden-hour views, a favourite local spot for evening picnics and romantic strolls. Box Beach, between Fingal Bay and Shoal Bay, draws surfers with its consistent waves and offers great vantage points for whale watching during the migration season. Over in Anna Bay, One Mile Beach stands out as a family favourite offering gentle waves for swimming and bodyboarding, plus nearby dunes to explore or try sandboarding.
Whether you’re after adventure or a slower beach day, Oaks Hotels offers accommodation options nearby, making it easier to explore more of the coastline at your own pace.
Swim with Dolphins & Snorkelling Experiences
Known as the “Dolphin Capital of Australia”, this stretch of coast offers one of the most memorable marine experiences in New South Wales. With over 150 bottlenose dolphins living in these waters, joining a cruise to see them is one of the best things to do while you’re in Port Stephens. You’ll find plenty of local operators offering different guided tours, including Moonshadow Cruises and Imagine Cruises, both with daily departures from Nelson Bay and a focus on eco-friendly experiences.
Beyond dolphin spotting, you can also join snorkelling trips to spots like Broughton Island for those keen to explore below the surface. From watching dolphins glide alongside the boat to getting in the water for a closer look, it’s an experience that stays with you long after your trip.
Running between October and April, the unique Dolphin Swim Australia offers the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins in the open. The tour includes a cruise out to open waters followed by a guided swim, making it a standout highlight of any visit.
Sandboarding & Quad Biking in Stockton Dunes
Explore the vast Stockton Sand Dunes, the largest moving dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, in two different ways:
Quad Bike Tours: There’s no better way to venture through this natural wonder than on four wheels. Ride across the shifting dunes on a guided quad bike tour by Sand Dune Adventures (owned and operated by the Worimi people on their private land), climbing steep ridges and taking in sweeping views towards the Tasman Sea.
Sand Surfing: After exploring on wheels, swap to a board and try sand surfing down the towering dunes. It’s a fun, hands-on way to experience the landscape, combining speed, balance and incredible scenery as you glide down the soft sand.
Both experiences offer a completely different perspective of this incredible landscape.
Coastal Dining & Local Food Experiences
When thinking about what to do in Port Stephens, the food scene is just as rewarding off the beach as it is on it, with seafood spots, casual markets and laid-back breweries across the region.
Book a table for a long lunch at Little Beach Boathouse and slurp back local oysters. In Nelson Bay, try the seafood chowder and crab arancini at Sandpipers Restaurant, closer to town.
Alternatively, go straight to the source at Holberts Oysters, and visit the Nelson Bay Fish Market for the catch of the day. As the sun starts to set, head to The Point Restaurant at Soldiers Point or make your way back to Crest Birubi Beach for a relaxed evening by the water.
Away from the waterfront, Murray’s Brewery offers a more laid-back food and drink experience. It’s a great spot to try locally brewed beers and wines, with bocce, live music on weekends and plenty of space to spread out on the lawns. You can drop in for a brewery tour, stay for lunch, or simply settle in for the afternoon.
Things to Do in Port Stephens in Winter
Whale Watching
The waters of Port Stephens come alive between May and November as majestic humpback whales make their annual migration to Far North Queensland. Watching the humpback whales breach, tail-slap and play is an experience you won’t want to miss, and it’s best seen from the water. If you’d like to know more, check our curated Guide To Whale Watching in Port Stephens.
If you’re looking for what to do in Nelson Bay, joining a whale watching cruise is a great place to start, with many tours departing directly from the marina. Climb aboard a boat with Moonshadow Cruises, who operate the largest and most comfortable cruise in the region.
Wildlife Experiences for Families
If you’re travelling with family, Port Stephens offers wildlife experiences that go beyond the usual. At Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters, you can slip on a wetsuit and step into the water to get close to rays and sharks, feeding smooth rays and even swimming alongside tawny nurse sharks. Led by a passionate local team, the experience is designed to be both safe and educational, helping travellers better understand these marine creatures.
For a more laid-back day out, Oakvale Wildlife Park is a family favourite. Kids can meet native animals like kangaroos and koalas, explore the farm, and enjoy activities like tractor rides, a splash play park, and daily shows. It’s an easy, well-rounded day out, especially if you're travelling with kids.
Another easy stop is the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, where you can see koalas in a natural bush setting. The Sanctuary Story Walk is a simple trail where kids can learn a bit more about them, their habitat and conservation along the way.
Camel Rides on Birubi Beach
Take a camel ride at Birubi Beach, plodding through the giant moving sand dunes and down the beach. Oakfield Ranch Camel Rides operate from the lower car park at Birubi Beach and standard tours run on weekends and during the NSW School Holidays. Riding on the back of a huge camel is an experience you won’t forget, plus it’s a great photo opportunity that’s even better at sunset.
Bushwalking & Lighthouse Tours
Exploring the region on foot is one of the best ways to experience it. Tomaree National Park offers walking tracks for all levels, from easy paths to more challenging hikes. The Summit Walk is a favourite, with a short but steep climb that rewards you with sweeping views at the top.
Near Fingal Island, Point Stephens Lighthouse adds a layer of local history to the coastal scenery. The walk combines scenic views, local history and a different perspective of the area, making it one of the most memorable things to do in Port Stephens.
Family-Friendly Activities in Port Stephens
Mix action and easy family fun at Toboggan Hill Park, with its one-kilometre-long toboggan track winding through twists and turns, plus mini golf, climbing walls and other activities. Over in Nelson Bay, Go Karts Go is a go-to when deciding what to do, with one of the region’s fastest tracks and junior karts so even younger kids can join in.
Back at Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort, things slow down in the best way. The lagoon-style pool, one of the longest in Australia, stretches across the property, with many apartments offering direct access to the water. Spend time drifting along the 480-metre loop, stopping at spa areas, crossing bridges or relaxing by the man-made beaches.
After a day exploring everything from beaches to wildlife and outdoor adventures, having the right place to stay makes all the difference.
Booking Your Port Stephens Holiday
Planning what to do in Port Stephens is easier when you have a good base to come back to. You can do a lot across the region, so staying somewhere well-located really helps you make the most of your time.
In Salamander Bay, Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort is a laid-back option, just a short drive from Nelson Bay. It’s an easy place to settle in after a day out, with spacious rooms, a large pool and everything you need close by.
If you’d rather stay closer to the action, Oaks Nelson Bay Lure Suites puts you within walking distance of the marina, beaches and local spots to eat. The suites come with spacious balconies, offering breathtaking views of the surroundings.
If you’re planning, Oaks Hotels often offers great value on longer stays and early bookings.
With plenty of activities to enjoy, Port Stephens is the kind of place you can explore at your own pace. It’s a simple, laid-back coastal escape that works for just about any kind of trip.
