Less than five minutes walk from the park you’ll find the Shoal Bay Country Club. Not your ordinary Country club with a golf course and counter meals in the clubhouse, this is actually a multi-venue hospitality precinct with a beautiful fit out and even better views. Mermaids is their cafe venue, open from 6:30am daily and serving breakfast from 7am. Make sure you try the Eggs Benedict. Atmos is the restaurant to be at for dinner, serving up simple but delicious Greek food. 

One of our favourite venues is about a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive away in the neighbouring spot of Nelson Bay, called Little Beach Boathouse. This is a fantastic choice to sample fresh local seafood or simply for a drink in a beautiful venue sitting right over the water.

You don’t have to walk far for a swim, with Shoal Bay Beach located directly across the road from the park. This beautiful beach boasts soft white sands and calm clear blue waters thanks to its protected location which also makes it perfect to Kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard. 

If you haven’t brought your own equipment, head to the right and walk about 200m down the beach from the Holiday Park you’ll find Shoal Bay SUP where you can hire equipment or join a lesson. 

At the end of the bay is Tomaree National Park which offers a variety of walking trails. Start on Tomaree trail which winds around the headland and goes past historical sites from Australia’s World War II coastal defence efforts. If you’re keen to keep walking, continue on to the Tomaree Head summit walk where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views and if you happen to be there between May and November, the chance to spot whales during their migration season. 

If you’d prefer a surf beach, our recommendation is One Mile Beach which is about 15 minutes drive south. You’ll find consistent surf here and can also fish from the beach where depending on the season you’ll be a chance to catch salmon, tailor, bream, whiting and flathead.

We love the Safari Tents and they’re located in a nice quiet location within the park but do note, these are on the opposite end of the park to the beach.