Helpful tips from a local😉
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Free Parking:
For the Original Tea Gardens Ferry and Splash n Slide:
If you are catching the Original Tea Gardens Ferry or going out on the Splash n Slide cruise, there is FREE parking in Nash Lane at Nelson Bay and around this area as well.
There is no time limit on this parking and if needed you can be there all day.
As of 1st July there is free parking available for first in at the Shell Garage on Stockton Street where my car used to be.
More free parking:
For all cruises up to 2.5hrs leaving from Docks C, D & E.
The best free place to park for up to 3 hours is the underground carpark in Woolworths
Turn right at Woolworths, drive past the entrance then turn left just past the chemist down into the carpark.
Once parked, come up the escalators then walk out the front door and straight down to the Marina.
Dock C -D & E are all down Dock C's entrance
As of 1st July 2025, you can purchase a gas refill on your 9kg bottle for just $22 at the Weber store which is in the Port Stephens Homemaker Centre at Taylors Beach.
Gan Gan Lookout This is a great spot to visit if you have an hour to spend doing something nice before a cruise etc.
Lily Hill Road Nelson Bay
Enjoy the spectacular views of beautiful Port Stephens and beyond from Gan Gan Hill Lookout located on Lily Hill Road, just off Nelson Bay Road.
1.5 km south-west of the city centre along Stockton Rd is the turnoff to the right (signposted on your left) along Lily Hill Rd which will take you up to the Gan Gan Lookout car park. Follow the path around the Telstra buildings to the viewing platform.
Don't get caught short - Here is a map of the toilets - click on it for the interactive version
Looking for things to do while you are on holiday?
Then look no further than here
Everything you need to have a great holiday is here at your fingertips.
Whales
Whales start their migration past Nelson Bay from May till November
Book here to see these majestic creatures in action
Charge your mobile etc
If you are on backpacking on holiday and need to charge something in a hurry with no fuss - Barry Park is the place to go.
With free BBQ's and free electricity - you can't go wrong.
Mind you - just the view is worth the effort
Swimming after rain
Port Stephens has some amazing waterways but it's not a great idea to swim just after it rains due to the runoff from the rivers and the roads (believe me - we found out the hard way).
It is not advisable to swim in the foreshore area between Wharf 1 and Dock C due to the amount of Diesel in the water and the large cruisers constantly moving around.
Nelson Beach which is the next beach to the foreshore is perfect for swimming and you may even encounter a dolphin or two.
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