Marion Bay

Marion Bay is a serene coastal enclave on the southern fringe of the Hunter Valley, where the lush green hills of wine country meet the wild, windswept beaches of the Tasman Sea. This is a place to slow down, breathe in the salty air, and watch the waves roll in – a perfect counterpoint to the vineyard-hopping inland.

Highlights & What to See

• Stockton Beach sand dunes – Stretching for 32 km, these are the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. You can 4WD, sandboard, or simply walk the edge where the dunes meet the surf.
• Worimi Conservation Lands – Aboriginal-owned and jointly managed, this protected area offers guided quad-bike tours, cultural walks, and the chance to spot sea eagles and kangaroos amid the dunes.
• Birubi Beach – The main swimming beach, patrolled in summer, with a surf club and café. The contrast of white sand and blue water is stunning.
• Anna Bay – A small village with a general store and a few eateries; it's the gateway for dune tours and a launch point for fishing charters.
• Tomaree National Park – Just south, this park features the Tomaree Head Summit Walk, a steep but rewarding 2.2 km return trail with panoramic views of Port Stephens and the coastline.

Suggested Time to Spend

Marion Bay works best as a day trip from Newcastle or Port Stephens, or as a relaxed overnight stop. If you're driving from the Hunter Valley vineyards, allow a full day: spend the morning exploring the dunes (a two-hour quad-bike tour is ideal), have lunch at the Birubi Beach kiosk, then hike the Tomaree Head walk in the afternoon. For a slower pace, stay one night in a beachside holiday rental and enjoy sunrise over the ocean.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Port Stephens – 20 minutes south, with dolphin cruises, sandboarding at Stockton Bight, and the delightful town of Nelson Bay.
• Newcastle – 45 minutes south, offering a vibrant café culture, the iconic Bogey Hole, and the Newcastle Memorial Walk.
• Hunter Valley Wine Country – 1 hour west, where you can visit cellar doors at Pokolbin, Lovedale, and Broke Fordwich.
• Myall Lakes National Park – 1.5 hours north, a pristine waterway perfect for kayaking, camping, and birdwatching.
• Broughton Island – Accessible by charter from Port Stephens, this remote island offers exceptional snorkelling and pristine beaches.

Please check official sources for current details.