★ ★ ★ ★
The Anchorage
Corlette
Where luxury meets the sea. A seaside oasis with luxurious waterfront resort accommodation and decadent dining.
from $314
5 Days Nature & Indulgence Itinerary in Port Stephens
Day 1
Morning
Fly into Newcastle Airport and collect your hire car
Lunch at Crest Birubi Beach
Perched atop of Birubi Beach at the northern end of Stockton Bight in Anna Bay, Crest offers views of the turquoise water, across Stockton Sand Dunes and beyond. Enjoy breakfast or lunch in this stunning location
Afternoon
Take a camel ride with Oakfield Ranch Camels
Experience the thrill of the ships of the desert over the vast sand dunes of Port Stephens. Enjoy a relaxing ride along the sands of Birubi Beach at Anna Bay.
Evening
Dinner at The Point Restaurant Soldiers Point
Tantalise your tastebuds with delectable fresh seafood or ala carte selections and sip cocktails on the deck. The Point Restaurant is the perfect setting to watch the sunset.
Where to Stay (Day 1 & Day 2)
★ ★ ★ ★
Hotel Nelson
Nelson Bay
A stylish, modern hotel in the heart of Nelson Bay with a range of room types.
from $162
Day 2
Morning
Breakfast at hotel
Swim with the dolphins on Dolphin Swim Australia (October to April)
Get up close and personal with the playful mammals Port Stephens is famous for – Dolphins! Dolphin Swim Australia offers this one-of-a-kind experience to swim with wild oceanic dolphins between October to April (the only permitted dolphin swim in NSW) with Dolphin Swim Australia
OR
Take a dolphin watch or whale watching cruise
Take a dolphin watch cruise (all year) to meet the friendly Bottlenose Dolphins or between May and October spy thousands of humpback whales as they swim along Australia’s east coast. One of the best places to spot whales is Port Stephens. Get the best vantage point of these incredible creatures on a leisurely 3-hour cruise with Moonshadow-TQC Cruises or Imagine Cruises.
Lunch at Cheeky Dog Bannisters Port Stephens
If you like your beer cold and your beer gardens sun-soaked, then the Cheeky Dog is the spot for you. This casual, stylish open plan eatery has delicious Mediterranean fare.
Afternoon
Spa Bannisters
Choose from a refreshing menu of therapeutic options and a range of luxurious treatments for you to enjoy to rest, relax and recharge in peace and tranquillity.
Evening
Saltwater Restaurant
Perched atop the Surf Life Saving Club overlooking Fingal Beach, Saltwater Restaurant offers casual dining – have a sunset drink whilst enjoying dips & dukkah and some fresh oysters.
Day 3
Morning
Time for adventure? Take a Quad Bike tour with Sand Dune Adventures
Satisfy your inner thrill-seeker by taking a Quad Bike tour with Sand Dune Adventures, whilst learning from an Aboriginal guide. Ride across the sand dunes on a quad bike, learn about bush resources and Aboriginal Culture & sandboard down the dunes.
Oakvale Wildlife Park
Spend the morning meeting and interacting with native Australian animals such as kangaroos, dingos, koalas, quokkas and Tasmanian devils. There are exotic animals too, such as like llamas, highland cows, water buffalo and camels!
Lunch at Inner Lighthouse Tea Rooms
Take in the spectacular panoramic views of Port Stephens overlooking Shoal Bay Beach and out to Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands. At Inner Light Tea Rooms, you will “Come for the View, Stay for the Food!”
Evening
Little Beach Boathouse
Little Beach Boathouse is perched right on the edge of Nelson Bay’s Little Beach, offering a Modern Australian menu incorporating local produce and seafood – try freshly shucked oysters or squid ink spaghetti.
Where to Stay (Day 3 & Day 4)
★ ★ ★ ★
Bannisters Port Stephens
Soldiers Point
A boutique getaway surrounded by water with bay views.
from $290
Day 4
Morning
A local’s favourite breakfast at Little Nel Café
From humble beginnings, Little Nel Café has grown into a favourite haunt for locals and visitors alike. Delicious coffee, an evolving menu that changes more than the seasons do and a relaxed coastal vibe (fancy some kombucha on tap?) set it apart.
Koala Ferries
Catch your water taxi from Nelson Bay or Soldiers Point Marina for lunch and to visit the gin and vodka distillery at Lemon Tree Passage .
Lemon Tree Passage Distilling
On-site distilled gin and vodka, using locally sourced ingredients and native Australian botanicals. Sip a refreshing cocktail or try a glass of local wine or beer as you relax at by the water.
Lunch at The Poyers
Try oysters & abalone sourced locally, or for the more adventurous, escargots! For mains, you can’t go past the pasta and gnocchi which are made in-house. After your lunch catch the water taxi for your return journey to Nelson Bay.
Evening
Dinner at Shoal Bay Country Club
Shoal Bay Country Club has so much more than stunning waterfront views – offering a range of Port Stephens’ best dining options (for breakfast, lunch & dinner!) and live entertainment.
Day 5
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and prepare for your flight home and return your hire car.
Travelling by air to Port Stephens from interstate is a breeze. Nelson Bay in Port Stephens is a 25-minute drive from Newcastle. Domestic flights to Newcastle are operated by Jetstar, Virgin Australia, FlyPelican, Link Airways and QantasLink.
