Fast facts
- Major holiday playground and main resort area of Port Stephens
- Located on the southern shores of Port Stephens
- 223 km north of Sydney, population 8,100
Why go there
Nelson Bay is the main town for Port Stephens and it would be hard to find anywhere better equipped for aquatic pursuits – plus a great array of accommodation and dining options. On the town’s doorstep within the sheltered arms of the bay there are safe, calm beaches that are ideal for small children, while the coastal beaches just a five-minute drive away are washed by booming waves.
The diving and snorkelling here is exceptional. Just east of Nelson Bay, the tiny promontory of Fly Point is an aquatic reserve with prolific marine life. Divers have another superb site just off the coast at Broughton Island, with such outstanding features as the ‘Looking Glass’, a split that runs through the middle of the island, crowded with marine life.
To the south of Nelson Bay, Stockton Beach has the country’s largest coastal dune system, stretching for more than 30 km to the northern outskirts of Newcastle.
History
Chinese fishermen established a camp here early in the 1800s. A post office and a school were built later in the century, but it was not until well into the 20th century that Nelson Bay became a popular tourist destination.
Things to do
- Take a dolphin-watch cruise and marvel at the antics of these aquatic acrobats.
- Hand feed the blue gropers at the Fly Point-Halifax Park Aquatic Reserve.
- Spend the day at Dutchies Beach, the perfect place for family getaways.
Events
- The Festival of Whales in March celebrates the beginning of the annual whale migration along Australia's east coast. The festival includes art, music, displays, street entertainment and daily whale-watch cruises.
Don’t miss
- The views from the walking trails of Tomaree National Park.
- The local oysters, fresh from the bay.
- The canoe trees at Little Nelson Beach.
- The lighthouse and buildings at Nelson Head.
- The view from Gan Gan Lookout.
