Port Stephens is a beautiful Port only two and a half hours drive north of Sydney. There are many wonderful bays and beaches along the coastline hosting beautiful landscape views.
The earliest inhabitants of Port Stephens were the Aborigines of the Worimi Tribe whom Charles Grimes referred to as a taller, stouter race of people than those about Sydney with a completely different language.
At the time of white settlement there were about 400 Aborigines living around the estuary of Port Stephens. Port Stephens was first noted by Europeans in May 1770 when Captain James Cook referred to Port Stephens in his log as 'an opening forming a bay'.
The various bays and coastal areas include Anna Bay, Fingal Bay, Lemon Tree Passage, Mallabula, Nelson Bay, Salamander Bay, Salt Ash, Shoal Bay, Soldiers Point, Stockton Beach and Tanilba Bay. Inland you can visit Raymond Terrace, Morpeth and explore the Lower Hunter Valley.
If you love koalas then you should definitely visit Lemon Tree Passage, as the whole peninsula is covered with koala habitat. For those who prefer glorious beaches then head to Shoal Bay or the long Stockton Beach. Stockton Beach also offers good surf.
There is also a wide range of wildlife with many varieties of plants and birds. There are also several National Parks surrounding Port Stephens which are well worth exploring, and offer an excellent opportunity to see a wide range fo wildlife.
Port Stephens is home to around 165 bottlenose dolphins, which live in the Port itself. If you are lucky you can view them from the shore or hire a boat. Alternatively, join a tour which takes you around the Port dolphin watching.
It is also possible to go Hump Back Whale watching during their migration north to warmer waters, and later in the year during their journey south to Antartica.
Offshore there are numerous islands to explore, including Cabbage Tree Island home to a range of wildlife and Broughton island which is a great spot to go diving. Several of the charter boats offer diving and fishing around both of these islands, which is great fun.
Port Stephens is also known for its fishing. There are a range of fishing charters that take you deep sea fishing, although it is also possible to fish off of wharfs, rocks and beaches. You can also hire a boat to explore the waters of the port itself or further afield in the rivers and lakes.
There are many wonderful walks around the area, especially along the many coastal paths. It is possible to get a great view of the bay and further out to sea from the Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands. There are also various historic buildings and museums well worth visiting, as well as a variety of other attractions for the whole family.
You can also join one of the many tours both in the water and on land such as a camping trip, canoeing, fishing, a tour around the vineyards and farms or perhaps a four or even six wheel drive across Stockton Beach.
Port Stephens is home to a wide range of restaurants, with the local speciality being fresh seafood. However, you will also find a selection of world wide cuisines offering virtually anything that your taste buds fancy!
There are a variety of shops and boutiques around Port Stephens with the main shopping areas being Nelson Bay, Raymond Terrace, Salamander Bay and Tanilda Bay. In addition a large shopping complex is situated in Salamander Bay, about five minutes from Nelson Bay.
The Port can also really boast about it's wide range of accommodation. There really is something for every pocket, party size, and style of traveller. Motels, hotels, apartments, bed and breakfasts, farmstays, villas and campsites are all of a high standard.
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Port Stephens Accommodation
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