Port Stephens, NSW
A coastal paradise where crystal-clear bays meet rolling sand dunes.
Where To Stay In Port Stephens
You’re absolutely spoiled for choice here - we’ve got five great options for you. Shoal Bay Holiday Park is modern, well-maintained and directly opposite the beach. Nearby is Fingal Bay Holiday Park, also with an excellent location and an added bonus - a swimming pool. Working our way around the coast, next you’ll find Halifax Holiday Park, your go-to spot if you want to be near Nelson Bay. Further along is Thou Walla Sunset Retreat located at the picturesque Soldiers Point, if you’re after Glamping accommodation head here. Finally, the unique Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, there’s no camping here but there’s both Glamping and rooms nestled amongst the koalas!
Where To Eat & Drink In Port Stephens
Port Stephens has no shortage of great spots to eat and drink, whether you're after a casual morning coffee or a dinner with a view. One of our go-tos is Shoal Bay Country Club, a beautifully designed multi-venue spot that’s way more than your average country club. Their cafe, Mermaids, opens early and serves a top-notch breakfast – the Eggs Benny was our pick. Later in the day, head to Atmos, the onsite restaurant, for simple and delicious modern Greek dishes that are perfect for a laid-back dinner.
If you're after the best coffee in town, Longboat Cafe is hard to beat. It’s tucked away at the northern end of the park and serves consistently great coffee alongside a solid dine-in menu. We went for breakfast and couldn’t go past the Eggs Benedict – again. Seems to be a theme around here.
For something a little more upmarket but still relaxed, Little Beach Boathouse is a standout. It’s set right on the water and the setting is incredible, especially if you grab a drink at their “Below Deck” bar before your meal. We loved the salt and native pepper fried squid and the market fish – perfect for the coastal vibe. It’s open for lunch and dinner, but we recommend getting there a little early to soak it all in.
If you’re up for a morning walk, we loved the coastal stroll to Nelson Bay and rewarded ourselves with breakfast at The Little Nel. Their menu has something for everyone, from light, healthy options like the Pumpkin Bruschetta to big, satisfying choices like the sausage and egg sandwich. We also tried the Shishito Chilli Scrambled Eggs – a bit of a twist and really tasty.
In Soldiers Point, Sea Salt is a great little spot for breakfast with water views – we went for the waffles with strawberries and ice cream because, well, holidays. Just next door, The Deck Cafe has a prime position overlooking the marina and is open all day. If you're visiting during daylight saving, an early dinner here as the sun sets is a must – especially if seafood’s your thing.
If you're keen to venture a little further, Crest at Birubi Beach in Anna Bay is a fantastic spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. We went for dinner and timed it perfectly with the sunset. Their fish of the day was fresh and cooked beautifully – simple, classic bistro fare done well.
What To Do In Port Stephens
Port Stephens is a dream for anyone who loves the outdoors, especially if you’re chasing sun, sand and water. Shoal Bay Beach is right there and it’s an absolute stunner – soft white sand, calm turquoise water, and perfect conditions for swimming, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. We hired gear from Shoal Bay SUP, just a couple hundred metres down the beach, and joined a beginner lesson. Super fun and a great way to start the day.
If you’re more into waves, One Mile Beach is our go-to surf spot. It’s about 15 minutes away by car and usually has a consistent break. It’s also a great place to fish – depending on the season, you might catch bream, tailor or whiting straight off the beach. On a calmer day, we took a drive to Fingal Bay Beach. The northern end is great for a relaxed swim while the southern end draws in more swell for experienced surfers.
For a walk with a serious payoff, you can’t beat the Tomaree Head Summit Walk. It’s a 2.2km return track with a bit of a climb, but the views from the top are unreal. We went during whale season and actually spotted a few breaching – pretty unforgettable. The area’s also packed with other walks through Tomaree National Park, where you can check out WWII defence sites and winding trails with epic coastal scenery.
One of the more unique things we did was a horse ride with the team from Sahara Trails. They offer a bunch of different options – we did a beach trail ride and absolutely loved it. They’re great at matching you to the right experience based on your level, even if you’ve never ridden before.
The Essentials In Port Stephens
There’s several options for both supermarkets and pharmacies dotted across the various townships of Port Stephens. If you’re in need of camping gear, there’s a BCF located inland.
The Drive To Port Stephens
As always, we give you the rundown on the drive you’ll take from some nearby spots.
From Sydney - A super easy drive heading north on the M1 that shouldn’t take much longer than 2 hours.
From Brisbane - A 743km drive heading south along the coastal route that will take roughly 8 hours total drive time. There’s so many great spots along the way that a stopover is definitely in order.
From Melbourne - 11 hours total drive time via the inland route, skirting around the edge of Sydney to the west - you’ll definitely need an overnight stop on this one.
