Photo: C.marie / CC BY 3.0
Bobs Farm is a serene rural pocket on the eastern edge of Port Stephens, where rolling green hills meet the edge of Tilligerry State Conservation Area. This quiet locality is a haven for food lovers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking a slower pace away from the coastal crowds. With its boutique farms, cellar doors, and easy access to wetlands and walking trails, Bobs Farm offers a taste of authentic Hunter-region country life just minutes from the water.
Highlights & What to See
- Murray's Brewery – A beloved craft brewery with a sunny beer garden, tasting paddles, and wood-fired pizzas; a perfect afternoon pit stop.
- Bobs Farm Olives – Sample estate-grown olives and oils, and pick up a jar of their award-winning tapenade.
- Gan Gan Lookout – A short drive away, this viewpoint offers sweeping panoramas of Port Stephens, the bay, and the distant coastline.
- Little Beach – A secluded, dog-friendly cove with calm waters, ideal for a quiet swim or a picnic on the sand.
- Banksia Walk at Tilligerry Habitat – A gentle boardwalk through paperbark swamp and banksia woodland, teeming with birdlife and wildflowers.
Suggested Time to Spend
Bobs Farm is best enjoyed as a half-day escape from Nelson Bay or as a relaxed stopover on a Port Stephens road trip. Spend a couple of hours visiting Murray's Brewery and Bobs Farm Olives, then add another hour for the Gan Gan Lookout and a short wetland walk. If you want to include Little Beach, plan for a full morning or afternoon. The area is compact enough that you can easily combine it with a visit to nearby Fingal Bay or Shoal Bay without feeling rushed.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Nelson Bay – The vibrant hub of Port Stephens, with dolphin-watching cruises, waterfront dining, and a lively marina.
- Shoal Bay – Famous for its white-sand beach and the Tomaree Head Summit walk, offering breathtaking 360-degree views.
- Fingal Bay – A quieter beach with a sand spit that emerges at low tide, plus the Fingal Bay Lighthouse walk.
- Port Stephens – The broader region encompasses the entire bay, with opportunities for sandboarding at Stockton Beach, kayaking in the bay, and exploring the Myall Lakes National Park.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
Explore more
Image credits
- Shoal Bay — Phil Whitehouse from London, United Kingdom / CC BY 2.0
- Fingal Bay — popejon2 from Paddington, Australia / CC BY 2.0
- Tomaree Head — AussieLegend / Public domain
- Stockton Beach — AussieLegend / Public domain