Port Stephens
Dolphins, Dunes and a Drowned River Valley
On the lands of the Worimi people.
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
A natural harbour twice the size of Sydney Harbour, on the New South Wales mid-north coast. Famous for the resident bottlenose dolphin population, the 32 kilometre Stockton Beach sand dunes (the largest moving coastal dunes in the southern hemisphere), and the Tomaree Head climb at the harbour mouth.
Port Stephens is a drowned river valley formed when sea levels rose after the last ice age. The harbour covers 134 square kilometres and reaches 30 metres deep in places. It's home to a resident pod of around 100 bottlenose dolphins, which can be seen on cruise tours from Nelson Bay almost any day of the year. Whale watching tours run from May to November when humpbacks migrate along the coast.
The Stockton Bight Sand Dunes stretch for 32 kilometres along the southern shore of the bay. They are the largest moving coastal sand dunes in the southern hemisphere and were used by the Australian Army for desert warfare training during the Vietnam War. Today they're a 4WD playground, with sandboarding, camel rides, and quad biking on offer at Anna Bay.
The Worimi people are the Traditional Owners of the area. The Worimi Conservation Lands cover much of the dunes and are jointly managed.
Port Stephens is around 2.5 hours by car from Sydney, with regular bus services connecting it to Newcastle.
Tourist locations
Places to visit in Port Stephens.
7 locations to explore
Fighter World
Australia's fighter aircraft heritage
$20 adult, $12 child (5-17), $16 senior, $48 family; under 5 free
Full guide arrow_forwardMoonshadow TQC Dolphin Discovery Cruise
Bottlenose dolphins on your doorstep
$46 adult, $28 child (4-14), $41 senior/student
Full guide arrow_forwardOakvale Wildlife Park
25 acres of Australian wildlife
$43 adult, $29 child (3-16), $39 concession/senior; under 3 free
Full guide arrow_forwardPort Stephens Koala Sanctuary
Wild koalas, sky-high walkways
$28 adult, $15 child (3-17), $19 concession; under 3 free
Full guide arrow_forwardTilligerry Habitat
Free koala spotting in the bush
Free
Full guide arrow_forwardToboggan Hill Park
All-ages thrills on the hill
$10 entry per person, rides additional
Full guide arrow_forwardTomaree Head Summit Walk
Panoramic views worth every step
Free
Full guide arrow_forwardWhere to stay
Holiday parks near Port Stephens.
5 options via our booking partner
Thou Walla Sunset Retreat
2.5km away
Halifax Holiday Park
7.2km away
Shoal Bay Holiday Park
8.2km away
Reflections Jimmy's Beach Holiday Park
Hawks Nest
·10km away
Reflections Hawks Nest Holiday Park
10.5km away
Bookings handled by our partner Parkbooker. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Scenic views
Lookouts near Port Stephens.
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Attribution
Sources & credits
Content (1)
Images (2)
- Fishermans Bay. Port Stephens. NSW (19049365366).jpg · Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand · CC0
- Port Stephens. NSW Aust. (19574283990).jpg · Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand · CC0
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