Port Stephens Wine Country

Port Stephens Wine Country is a delightful surprise for travellers who associate the region primarily with sand dunes and dolphins. Nestled in the rolling hills behind the coast, this emerging wine district is home to a handful of boutique vineyards that specialise in semillon, verdelho, and shiraz. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, with cellar doors that feel more like friendly farm gates than polished tasting rooms. It’s an ideal detour for anyone craving a glass of cool-climate wine without the crowds of the Hunter Valley.

Highlights & What to See

• Murray’s Vineyard – A family-run gem with a sunny deck overlooking the vines; their semillon is crisp and minerally, perfect with local oysters.
• Bobs Farm Wines – Known for small-batch shiraz and a rustic cellar door where the winemaker often pours the tastings himself.
• Ironbark Hill Brewhouse – Not wine, but a craft-beer stop that pairs beautifully with wood-fired pizzas; a great alternative for non-wine drinkers.
• Lillypilly Estate – A historic property with a beautiful garden and a tasting room that specialises in fortified wines and sweet whites.
• Port Stephens Winery – The largest producer in the area, offering a full range of reds, whites, and a popular sparkling verdelho.

Suggested Time to Spend

Half a day is ample to visit three or four cellar doors at a relaxed pace. Start mid-morning, enjoy a long lunch at one of the vineyard cafés, and finish by mid-afternoon. If you’re a keen wine enthusiast, you could stretch it to a full day by adding a short walk through the vineyards or a picnic stop. The wine country is compact enough that you never feel rushed, and the backroads are a pleasure to drive.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Nelson Bay – The hub of Port Stephens, with dolphin-watching cruises, beaches, and waterfront dining, just a 15-minute drive away.
• Tomaree National Park – Home to the iconic Tomaree Head Summit walk, offering panoramic views of the coastline and offshore islands.
• Stockton Beach – Famous for its massive sand dunes and 4WD adventures, only 20 minutes south.
• Anna Bay – Where you can ride a camel on the beach or take a quad-bike tour across the dunes.
• Myall Lakes National Park – A pristine water wonderland perfect for kayaking, fishing, and birdwatching, about 40 minutes north.

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