Fast facts
- Shoal Bay on Port Stephens is named after the numerous sand shoals which are scattered around the area
- Excellent bushwalking area as well as the "bay experience"
- 220 km north of Sydney, population 2,050
Why go there
Shoal Bay is a popular holiday destination on the mid-north coast where visitors relax in the pristine and tranquil environment.
There are shops and restaurants along the beach and the Shoal Bay Country Club and luxurious Shoal Bay Resort & Spa are major draw cards to the area. Other Shoal Bay accommodation includes villas, apartments, B&Bs and holiday units.
The area is a great base for fishing trips and cruises around Port Stephens.
History
Founded in 1934, Shoal Bay Country Club (then known as The Port Stephens Game Fishing Club) was taken over by the US Army when the Japanese entered the War. It was used as headquarters for an army training unit known as JOOT (Joint Overseas Operation Training Services) to ready the troops for invasion in the Pacific during World War II.
During WWII more than 14,000 American troops were based at Shoal Bay and the beach was heavily fortified with barbed wire traps.
The Country Club was developed into the Shoal Bay Resort & Spa in 2004 at a cost of $65 million.
Things to do
- Explore Tomaree National Park, a 20 km strip of rocky coastline between Anna Bay and Shoal Bay.
- Take a dolphin cruise and enjoy the bottlenose dolphins at play in the bay.
- Stay at the Shoal Bay Resort & Spa and enjoy luxury, fine food and wine and weekend entertainment.
Don’t miss
- A great meal of fish and chips on the beach.
- A walk to the top of Tomaree Head for spectacular views of Port Stephens.
- A trip on a game-fishing boat.
- Quad biking on nearby Stockton Dunes.
- Five minutes away is the Nelson Bay Marina where you can board for whale and dolphin watching cruises.
