Port Stephens Attractions and Activities
If you are in the mood of some peace, quiet and seclusion and lots of water sports, Port Stephens is the place for you. With its quintessential Australian picturesque beauty and the wilderness, this place is a perfect holiday destination to enjoy surfing, seafood and wild lives that will make you fall in love with Port Stephens. The amalgamation of nature, history, and seafood is bound to give you an unforgettable holiday experience.
Location of Port Stephens
Port Stephens is a harbour located at the Hunter region of New South Wales, 160 km northeast of Sydney, Australia. It is a drowned valley and the port formed by the meeting of the Myall and Karuah rivers, Tilligerry Creek, and the Tasman Sea
History of Port Stephens
The port was named by the famous Captain Cook in honour of his friend Sir Philip Stephens who had recommended him for commanding the Voyage he was travelling with. In 1791, the first sheep Salamander entered the port but in that year also some escaped convicts made an important discovery of coal there.
Although the convict was found in 1995, the port was often touted as heaven for the escaped convicts. Since the limited agricultural activity due to poor soil conditions prevented any significant development of towns and that is why during World War II, it served as training establishment Royal Australian Navy and HMAS Assault.
Things to do in Port Stephens
The tourism aspect of Port Stephens is pretty developed, meaning there is a lot to be enjoyed by tourists. There are plenty of accommodation options ranging from resorts to small bed and breakfasts.
- Port Stephens has more than 20 beaches, each with its own specialty. Go to One Mile Beach especially when you are with kids to enjoy paddling.
- Stockton Sand Dunes are the coastal sand dunes; extremely sticking natural features are one of the favourites of the tourists stretching 32 km are one of a kind. You can ride a camel or horse or by feet. Enjoy smashing them or alternately can sandboard them!
- Bike around or sail around in the boats. You can also enjoy snorkelling and diving and get to discover an underwater oasis at Fly Point Park situated between Nelson Bay and Little Beach.
- Interact with local wildlife in Tilligerry habitat, where you can watch koalas and watch kangaroos in Port Stephens. You can also bottle feed adorable farm animals, something kids would love so much. Visit Marine Park for rich aquatic lives.
- Port Stephens is an ideal place for spotting dolphins and in between May to November, Humpback whales make special appearances.
- Hunter Valley is a designated wine region of Australia, so while you are in Port Stephens closer to that, given you will taste wines along with some mouth-watering seafood and other farm products.
- Biking, hiking and surfing or bushwalking in Tomaree National Park or have a bird’s eye view of stunning Port Stephens from Tomaree Lookout – take your pick! Or, enjoy swinging Golf!
- Nelson Bay and Shoal bay located nearby are known for their majestic beaches that are a huge favorites for the crowds. Don’t forget to get your camera ready!
Attributes
Port Stephens is particularly famous for whale watching and dolphins spotting. People wait eagerly for months of May to November, during when migrating humpback whales comes to shore.
Interesting fact
Stockton Bright Sand Dunes are the largest coastal sand dunes in Australia and southern hemisphere are a must watch in Port Stephens.
[mks_separator style=”dotted” height=”2″]I hope you have enjoyed sand boarding sand dunes or what did you enjoy the most? Share your wonderful experiences and photographs of Port Stephens here.
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