Port Stephens Beaches

With 26 pristine beaches hugging the shores of a vast natural harbour, Port Stephens is a coastal paradise where you can swim with wild dolphins in the morning and watch the sun set over a deserted stretch of sand by evening. The water is calm and clear, protected from the open ocean by the headlands, making these beaches ideal for families, kayakers, and stand-up paddleboarders. Think sugar-white sand, pockets of coastal bush, and a laid-back vibe that feels a world away from Sydney, yet is just a two-hour drive north.

Highlights & What to See

• Nelson Bay – The bustling heart of Port Stephens, with a long, sheltered beach perfect for swimming, plus a marina where dolphin-watching cruises depart daily. Grab fish and chips and watch the pelicans.
• Stockton Beach – A spectacular 32-kilometre stretch of sand dunes that are among the highest in the Southern Hemisphere. You can take a 4WD tour, try sandboarding, or simply walk for miles with the Tasman Sea on one side and the dunes on the other.
• Shoal Bay – A postcard-perfect crescent of white sand fringed by Norfolk pines. The water is glassy and calm, making it a favourite for families and paddleboarders. The nearby Tomaree Headland walk rewards you with 360-degree views.
• Fingal Bay – A quieter beach with a striking sand spit that connects to Fingal Island at low tide. Climb to the top of the island for a lighthouse and panoramic vistas.
• One Mile Beach – A surf-friendly beach with consistent waves and a popular surf school. It’s also a great spot for a coastal walk between Anna Bay and Birubi Beach.

Suggested Time to Spend

Three to four days gives you time to explore the best beaches at a relaxed pace. Spend a day at Nelson Bay for dolphin cruises and waterfront dining, a day exploring the Stockton dunes (including sandboarding), and a day hiking the Tomaree Headland walk and swimming at Shoal Bay. If you have a fifth day, add a kayak tour of the bay or a visit to the lesser-known beaches like Zenith Beach and Box Beach.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Myall Lakes National Park – A vast network of lakes, rivers, and coastal dunes, perfect for kayaking, fishing, and bushwalking, just a 30-minute drive south.
• Worimi Conservation Lands – The protected area covering the Stockton Bight sand dunes, where you can join an Aboriginal-guided tour to learn about the area’s Indigenous heritage.
• Tea Gardens & Hawks Nest – Charming villages on the northern shore of the Myall River, with quiet beaches and a relaxed vibe, reachable by a scenic ferry from Nelson Bay.
• Newcastle – Australia’s second-oldest city, with a revitalised waterfront, great café culture, and world-class surf beaches, about 45 minutes south.
• Hunter Valley – Australia’s premier wine region, with cellar doors, gourmet restaurants, and hot-air ballooning, about an hour’s drive inland.

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