Places of interest to visit & Local Tips

Sitting between Nelson Bay and Little Beach in Port Stephens, Fly Point is a protected aquatic sanctuary that offers some of the best shore diving and snorkelling.

  Lush sponge gardens and kelp forests are just a few metres from the beach and home to pineapple fish, blue groupers, octopus, wobbegong sharks and even elusive seahorses. In Summer, juvenile tropical fish appear including butterfly fish, damsel fish, wrass and butterfly cod. 

Tilligerry Habitat Reserve is a 9 ha flora and fauna reserve along a sandy foreshore on Tanilba Bay between the townships of Tanilba Bay and Mallabula. 

• free entry with map available from straw bale Environment Centre

• easy walking tracks on gravel paths and boardwalks.

• scenic swamp mahogany paperbark forest

• regenerating heath and woodland

Tucked away on the side of the Pacific Highway in a town called Heatherbrae,  just a leisurely 40 minute drive from the heart of Nelson Bay, sits over 130 hectares of pristine parkland and gardens.

This beautiful space is called Hunter Region Botanic Gardens.

To welcome visitors, the Gardens have a Visitor Centre, cafe, gift shop and reference library. Devonshire teas and light lunches are served daily, or visitors can picnic in the Gardens. 

Walks and excursions are organised regularly, and there is a program of special events.

Tomaree is a national park located in New South Wales, Australia, 145–155 km northeast of Sydney in the Port Stephens local government area. It is located on the shores of the Tasman Sea, extending north from Fishermans Bay to Shoal Bay passing through Boat Harbour, One Mile, Nelson Bay and Fingal Bay. Wikipedia 

Accessible by car, this prominent viewpoint offers expansive views of Nelson Bay & beyond. 

Lily Hill Rd, Nelson Bay NSW 2315 

Point Stephens Lighthouse on Fingal Island is one of a kind. Kayak or take a boat to the island to explore the lighthouse and historic ruins. 

The Point Stephens Light is a heritage-listed active lighthouse located on Point Stephens, a point on an unnamed headland at the east of Fingal Bay, 4.25 km south of the entrance of Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia. The light serves to assist vessels entering Port Stephens. Wikipedia 

Tanilba Bay is a little known paradise known for its magnificent water views, teeming birdlife and local koalas. With grand 1920’s entrance gates, it is surrounded by recreational and national parkland. It is Port Stephens’ best kept secret and untouched by development, located halfway between Newcastle and Nelson Bay on the Tilligerry Peninsula 

Tanilba House sits on 3 acres literally surrounded by beautiful Port Stephens 

If you are looking for the perfect view over the Nelson Bay look no further than this absolute gem of a spot.

Located on the far side of the marina, Koala Reserve is a foreshore reserve set amongst the eucalypts.

A foreshore boardwalk starts at this park and meanders through to Nyrang Park.

This walk gives a beautiful insight into the lush mangrove vegetation native to the Tilligerry Peninsula. Viewing platforms give scenic water views of the surrounding area.

In a world of big things, there are few as striking and as monumental as the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes in the Worimi Conservation Lands at Anna Bay in Port Stephens. 

From fun adventure to ancient heritage, the Worimi Conservation Lands at Anna Bay offers amazing experiences. 

Beatles Coffee

Was the Bay Hut Cafe,  next to the Seabreeze Hotel

Open 7 days

8.30 - 1.30

Premium small batch roasted coffee

with homemade cakes from $7.50 a slice.

LET IT BE!

Tynan's Wines & Cellar Door

3/141 George Rd

Salamander Bay 2317

Thursday-Monday

11:00-17:30 

0402442614 

Go and visit our own resident wine maker Mark at Tynan's for some great wine tasting. 

While you're visiting, try their cheese plates and handmade chocolates.

The Good Food Distributors

25 George Road

Salamander Bay 2317

When in Port Stephens, make a point of visiting the team. They have everything you can think of when it comes to fine food. Free slicing on all bulk meat purchases. Ideal for BBQ requirements!

Game O Bistro Shoal Bay

Shared one of these (2 of us) and still took home a load. Great value

Holberts Oysters,

52 Diemars Rd Salamander Bay

Best value oysters in Port  Stephens that we have found.

Inner Light Tea Rooms 

awesome food and a view that goes on forever

Open at 9 but if you go up before then you can gain uninterrupted views with plenty of parking (Photo taken at 8am)

If you want an easy way to recycle bottles and cans, then there is a bottle bank in Fingal Bay's Sports and Rec club car park.
Lots of parking and always a free spot, as it's out of the way. 

We nip in there before grabbing a coffee and heading to the beach. Vouchers can be redeemed at Woolies, Nelson Bay.

You also have the lovely option of being able to donate the voucher back to those who are doing it tough.

Barry Park

Marine Drive Fingal Bay

Viewing platform for Whales as well as amenities. You can even recharge your phone by the BBQ.

Whale Watching Boat Harbour

Blanch St Boat Harbour

The next best thing to seeing them from a cruiser is seeing them from here.