Solely two and a half hours north of Sydney, Port Stephens is a simple vacation spot for folks eager to get away from the fast beat of metropolis life. Our Important Information to Port Stephens has all it is advisable to learn about this unsung hero of the NSW coast.
Mrs Romance and I’ve been visiting Port Stephens for years. It’s shut sufficient to Sydney that it’s a simple two-and-a-half-hour drive, however it’s far sufficient away to actually give the sensation of being away from everybody.
In truth it options as one among our high 9 simple Sydney getaways. Its white sandy seashores, pleasant seaside cities, and a wealth of eateries and issues to do make Port Stephens a simple choice for once you simply need to escape town for a bit.
We’ve damaged our information down into three digestible sections with our actual favourites main every listing.
2. What to do
1. The place to eat
Chips & gravy at the Corlette Retailer, 27 Sandy Level Rd, Corlette
Not solely an area secret however an area favorite as effectively, the chips and gravy from the Corlette Retailer are excellent. These guys don’t have an internet site and maintain irregular hours, however they’re value a glance in the event you’re hungry!
Seize your chips and go loosen up on the sand at close by Bagnalls Seaside.
John Dory’s Seafood – Stockton St, Nelson Bay
With our favorite chippy Sandbar closing on the marina, John Dory’s is a simple substitute – and even perhaps an enchancment.
A little bit means into Nelson Bay city, it’s solely a brief stroll again to the water together with your takeaway so you possibly can nonetheless sit on the marina and benefit from the view whilst you munch!
Murray’s Brewery – 3443 Nelson Bay Rd, Bobs Farm
On the best way out of (or into!) Port Stephens is that this craft brewery. The craft beer they make and serve right here is great and the meals is just too. In truth their burger is one among my all-time favourites. An enormous assertion.
This spot has been renovated and styled superbly, and is the right spot for a relaxed lunch or dinner.
Home Café in The Residence Inside – 41 Donald Avenue, Nelson Bay
This café inside a homewares retailer is extremely but unsurprisingly fashionable – particularly on the weekend. However with one of the best espresso on the town, it’s well worth the wait. You’ll be able to store whilst you wait.
Seabreeze Lodge – 1 Stockton Avenue, Nelson Bay
The Seabreeze pub has the sunshine, ethereal cheerfulness you’d anticipate in a seaside bistro. The meals is on level and the service is skilled. However if you’d like dinner – particularly on the weekend – bookings are important.
Port Stephens Recreation Fishing Membership – 57 Shoal Bay Street, Shoal Bay
A little bit tough and prepared, however with killer views out over the bay, The Recreation Fishing Membership is definitely an actual diamond. If you wish to really feel like a part of the group, you’ll get that right here greater than wherever.
Simply watch your timings for meals; Salt Bistro’s kitchen fires 12pm-2pm for lunch and 6pm-8pm for dinner. No earlier, no later.
Crest Birubi Seaside – 73 James Paterson Avenue, Anna Bay
A part of the Birubi Seaside Surf Life Saving Membership and open for breakfast and lunch 7 days per week, it is a café with one of the best views of the seashore.
On the proper time of 12 months, you possibly can even spot whales swimming by whilst you benefit from the wonderful breakfasts they provide right here.
A stroll down on Birubi and Stockton Seashores, and a stroll by the unimaginable sand dunes post-feast is a should.
Crimson Ned’s Gourmand Pie Bar – Stockton Avenue, Nelson Bay
This little bakery has been going for years and boasts a powerful 50+ pie line-up. They provide all the pieces out of your traditional chunky beef to extra unique choices like smoked hen and camembert.
It’s a simple place to identify – there’s a full-size model of Ned Kelly out the entrance!
Fingal Bay Cafe and Takeaway – 4 Market St, Fingal Bay
Additionally turning out excellent pastry items is that this little native cafe. The pies are excellent and really fairly priced, although not fairly the extravagant vary of Crimson Ned’s, they usually even have a choice of very tempting sweets within the cupboard value wanting over.
Little Seaside Boathouse – Little Seaside Marina, 4 Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay
Proper on the water, this lunch and dinner restaurant is ideal for a special day meal and one thing a bit extra romantic than a variety of different locations in Port Stephens. The downstairs bar space is a favorite spot any time of day.
Holbert’s Oyster Farm – 52 Diemars Street, Salamander Bay
If you happen to’re in search of real-world priced wine and beer to go together with one of the best native prawns and oysters within the space (plus wonderful views over the bay or into the shucking shed), this 5-generation family-run enterprise is difficult to beat.
The picnic tables are fairly primary, however you possibly can take them away to eat at your leisure. Both means, you received’t style a brisker oyster.
Inside Mild Tea Rooms – 5a Lighthouse Street Nelson Bay
Being a part of the Nelson Bay lighthouse means this little breakfast-and-lunch café has views to die for. Its easy menus will maintain you going whilst you take within the vistas over the bay.
The Little Nel Cafe – 3-7 Authorities Rd, Nelson Bay
This cafe has a scrumptious menu and wonderful espresso too. Seize an out of doors desk for views down over Nelson Bay or take your cup of joe all the way down to the waterfront and benefit from the gently lapping waters of the marina shut up.
Two Brothers Indian Restaurant – Unit 2/30 Donald St, Nelson Bay
A pattern I’m thrilled to have observed lately is the proliferation of superior Indian eating places in bigger regional cities round NSW. Past the standard bain marie takeaway joints, these full-service eating places are making curries that rival one of the best of London, Manchester, Leeds or Birmingham again within the UK.
Two Brothers is true up there and does all of the fan faves from scintillatingly sizzling vindaloos to calm kormas, in addition to just a few lesser recognized dishes.
This restaurant doesn’t have an alcohol licence, so that you’ll should BYO, however so far as we may inform they don’t cost corkage right here!
2. What to do
Cycle or stroll the cycle monitor
From Nelson Bay to Corlette is a monitor that dips and winds by bushland and seashores. It’s the right approach to work up an urge for food and to see the sights on supply from this stunning peninsular.
Simply so you already know, Bagnalls Seaside, which is in entrance of Corlette, is an actual rarity. It’s an all-year-round off-leash canine seashore.
Soldier crabs at sundown
An incredible pure occasion each night because the solar goes down sees 1000’s of soldier crabs – concerning the measurement of a ping pong ball – march in big regiments throughout the onerous sand at seashores all spherical Port Stephens.
These innocent crustaceans make for superior photograph alternatives because the solar dips under the horizon.
Snorkelling within the marine reserve – Little Nelson Bay
Off the seashore at Fly Level Park are two dive websites – Seahorse Gardens and Fly Level. Fly Level is extra protected, so snorkelling is less complicated right here. A lot of fish and even turtles swim this part of the reserve.
Quad biking over the dunes with Quad Bike King
We did this a short time in the past with a Crimson Balloon present voucher from my dad and mom and it was a lot enjoyable. The crew prepare you on dealing with the quad bikes then take you on a path by the magnificent sand dunes of Anna Bay and Stockton Seaside.
On the proper time of 12 months, you possibly can even double up with whale watching as you hurtle across the largest shifting coastal sand dunes within the southern hemisphere!
Hike up headland and Mt Tomaree
The best level within the space, Mount Tomaree was used as a lookout submit and gun placement in WWII. You’ll be able to nonetheless discover vestiges of the army base right here, and the views out from the highest are breathtaking. It’s a fairly good hike too!
We’ve additionally heard inform of one other stroll that goes spherical the underside of the mountain alongside the coast. We haven’t finished this, however it’s presupposed to be very fairly – to not point out a flat stroll, which is a bonus.
Get a spherical in on the Nelson Bay Golf Membership
You’re spoilt for selection at this huge 27-hole course and benefit from the spectators as they hop across the course with you – there are such a lot of kangaroos right here!
The nineteenth – or ought to that be twenty eighth – gap is a pleasure too. Meals served right here is great and views out over the course from the clubhouse make for an ideal lunch venue whilst you’re on the town. In truth, even in the event you’re not into golf, it is a nice lunch possibility.
SUP
Changing into evermore fashionable, SUP or – Stand Up Paddle-boarding – is ideal for the (normally) calm circumstances and hotter waters of the bay.
The blokes who function Port Stephens Paddle Sports activities are pleasant and accommodating. Give them a name and organise once you need to give it a go. Extremely advisable!
Secure surf seashores
If browsing and a giant wave is extra your factor, One Mile Seaside and Fingal Seaside are each patrolled and save. They’re additionally each stunning seashores effectively value trying out even in the event you don’t fancy a dip.
Dolphin and whale watching
Extremely fashionable from Port Stephens, the dolphin recognizing cruises occur all 12 months spherical. Humpback whales do a return-trip migration yearly, going north within the winter and again south in the summertime months.
There are such a lot of firms to select from. Our recommendation: go together with the smallest boat doable and one with an open deck.
Sand dunes between Anna Bay and Stockton
If you happen to’ve pushed in from Sydney, you’ll have seen the sand dunes in your proper on the highway in. These sand dunes are a part of the Woromi Conservation Lands and are the biggest shifting sand dunes within the southern hemisphere.
There are many issues you are able to do on the dunes, from 4×4 excursions to sand boarding – or simply pretending your Laurence of Arabia!
Saturday markets round Port Stephens
There are a selection of markets on each Saturday (and a few Sundays) within the Port Stephens space. From Meals to craft, there’s at all times one thing on on the weekend. Test the schedule within the hyperlink above to search out out extra.
Irukandji, Shark and Ray Encounters – 686 Marsh Rd, Bobs Farm
This solely interactive expertise is run by a younger couple with conservation and training on the coronary heart of what they do. Far out of your common aquarium, this family-focused marine centre is all about displaying folks what the creatures of the blue are actually like and to assist us perceive the affect we’re having on their setting.
Port Stephens ferry service – leaves from Victoria Parade Public Jetty Wharf
Catch a ferry to Tea Gardens to take a look at what’s occurring throughout the bay. The service additionally does lunch cruises and dolphin cruises too. Simply so you already know, excessive winds and poor climate could cause cancelations to the service. Test the web site for up-to-date occasions.
All the pieces else
There’s a lot to do right here in Port Stephens – cinemas, procuring, diving, kayaking, jetskiing, fishing… the listing goes on and on. Extra info is right here within the native tourism information.
3. The place to remain
Sea Urchin, Corlette – Sandy Level Street
There are actually a whole bunch of locations to remain in Port Stephens, however at any time when we go, we’re in search of homely consolation, area and an area really feel. That’s why we at all times go for this cute vacation rental.
It’s on Sandy Level Street, so all you need to do is cross the road and also you’re within the water. It’s good. Plus it’s simply down the highway from the Corlette Retailer and their legendary chips and gravy!
You’re additionally on the bus route out and in of Nelson Bay – and Sydney for that matter – and the monitor that takes you all the best way to the marina begins right here too. If you happen to’ve bought a ship, there’s a ship ramp on the finish of the road too.
Bannisters Port Stephens – Troopers Level Rd, Troopers Level
The third property within the Bannisters empire, this Port Stephens venue is simply nearly as good – if not higher – than the opposite two down in Mollymook.
It’s no accident that this place is equidistant from Sydney both – and the Rick Stein restaurant right here places the recent native seafood and produce to good use.
We haven’t had an opportunity to remain at this Bannisters but, but when it’s wherever close to nearly as good as the unique – you possibly can see our full evaluate right here – it’s one of the best place to remain on the peninsula.
The Anchorage and Marina – Corlette
Additionally in Corlette, the Anchorage is lush dwelling and excellent in case you have your personal boat. The restaurant right here is alleged to be extraordinarily good too.
Amarna Resort at Dutchies Seaside
Boutique and really non-public, this small resort whispers romance. From its infinity pool overlooking the seashore to its superbly decked out serviced flats, this 5 star lodging reveals one of the best of what Port Stephens has to supply.
Port Stephens actually does have a lot to supply. This beautiful peninsular epitomises the Australian way of life folks suppose all of us have! However despite its excellent setting, it by some means will get missed as a vacation spot.
I say, let’s benefit from that whereas phrase’s nonetheless not fairly out!
Have you ever ever been to Port Stephens? What’s your favorite factor about it? Are there any unsung hero locations close to the place you reside? Inform us all the pieces within the feedback under!
