Just a 2.5 hour drive north of Sydney, Port Stephens is one of the best kept secrets along the NSW coastline. While many people know Port Stephens for its beautiful beaches, there's so much more to this region than meets the eye. From panoramic coastal lookouts and towering sand dunes to whale watching cruises and wildlife encounters, it's one of the most diverse destinations in New South Wales.
What makes Port Stephens so special is the variety of landscapes packed into one relatively small area. One minute you're standing on top of a mountain with sweeping ocean views, the next you're wandering across enormous sand dunes that feel like they're straight out of the Middle East.
With so many incredible things to do in Port Stephens, three days is the perfect amount of time to experience the highlights while still leaving plenty to discover on a future visit. If you're looking for the perfect winter weekend getaway from Sydney, here's exactly how I'd spend 3 days exploring Port Stephens.
You can also find their exclusive winter deals here to help save when booking your trip.
How to Get to Port Stephens
Port Stephens is located approximately 2.5 hours north of Sydney, making it one of the easiest coastal escapes in New South Wales. The best way to explore the region is by car as many of the best lookouts, beaches and attractions are spread throughout the area. The drive is straightforward along the M1 Pacific Motorway and makes for an easy weekend road trip.
Where to Stay in Port Stephens
There are plenty of accommodation options ranging from beachfront holiday parks to luxury waterfront resorts. For this Port Stephens itinerary, I'd recommend staying in either Shoal Bay or Nelson Bay as they provide a great base for exploring the region.
For travellers on a budget, you can stay in Shoal Bay at the holiday park which puts you right across from one of the best beaches in the area. They also offer cabins and unique glamping tents. The holiday park is in a great location, within walking distance of restaurants, the pub, the beach and Mount Tomaree.
If you're looking to stay in a central location, Mantra Nelson Bay is a great option being only a short walk from the town centre and also within walking distance to the marina for your boat tours.
For a more luxury experience, The Anchorage at Corlette is one of the most beautiful waterfront stays in the region. The Hampton inspired design, marina views and relaxed coastal atmosphere make it the perfect base for a luxury weekend escape.
How to Spend 3 Days in Port Stephens
Day 1: Coastal Lookouts, Whale Watching & Sunset Sand Dunes
Sunrise at Mount Tomaree Summit
Start your trip with an early morning hike up to the summit of Mount Tomaree. It is easily one of the best viewpoints not only in Port Stephens but I'd even say in all of New South Wales. The hike itself is relatively short, taking around 30 minutes to reach the top, although it is a little steep in sections. The trail is paved the entire way and there are a set of steep stairs towards the summit.
The reward at the top is absolutely worth the effort. You'll be greeted with panoramic views stretching across the ocean, Tomaree National Park and the entire Port Stephens coastline. Sunrise here is especially beautiful as the first light hits the beaches and headlands below.
The combination of rugged mountains, turquoise water and endless coastline makes this one of my favourite lookouts in NSW. One of the beaches you'll see from the summit is Zenith Beach, a stunning stretch of sand that looks almost tropical from above. If you have some extra time afterwards, it's well worth visiting as it's located near the trailhead and can be accessed from the same car park.
If hiking isn't your thing, you can decide to skip Mount Tomaree and check out Zenith Beach instead. It is another great sunrise location. This east facing beach catches the first morning light beautifully and offers a peaceful start to the day. After you can walk into the charming Shoal Bay town for a coffee and breakfast.
Whale Watching in Port Stephens
Next, make your way over to Nelson Bay Marina and jump on a whale watching tour. One of the best reasons to visit Port Stephens during winter is the whale watching season. Every year starting in June, thousands of humpback whales migrate along the NSW coastline and Port Stephens is one of the best places to witness them.
Joining a whale watching cruise gives you the chance to see these incredible animals up close as they breach, tail slap and surface beside the boat. We went with Moonshadow-TQC Cruises and had such an incredible time. The boat cruises through the bay and out into the open waters passing by Mount Tomaree. Once we were out, there was so much whale activity and we saw so many of them breaching and tail slapping right by the boat. The boat was also large enough, with two levels, that it never felt crowded on board.
After following beside the whales for a bit, we cruised past some of the nearby islands and even spotted seals sunbathing on the rocks. The region is also home to resident bottlenose dolphins, so it's not uncommon to spot both whales and dolphins during the same trip. The cruise goes for 2.5 hours.
After your cruise, spend some time exploring Nelson Bay and grab some lunch at one of the nearby cafes along the waterfront or walk around the town centre.
Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
Continue with some wildlife spotting by visiting the rescue Koalas at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary. This peaceful sanctuary is set amongst the eucalyptus trees and is a great place to see koalas in their natural habitat. All of the koalas here have been rescued due to injuries or sickness and are treated at their onsite hospital. There is a small elevated tree top walk which gets you higher to see the koalas resting and eating in the trees. They can be hard to spot sometimes so you'll need a keen eye. Tickets cost $28 per person. They also have glamping tents available if you'd like to stay in the sanctuary and be surrounded by the sounds of nature.
Sunset At Stockton Sand Dunes
Lastly, make your way over to Birubi Beach for one of the best sunset spots in Port Stephens. You can walk from the main beach carpark up into the massive sand dunes. The Stockton Sand Dunes are one of the most incredible sunset locations in Port Stephens and genuinely feel like another country. The rolling dunes stretch endlessly into the distance and are constantly changing due to the wind.
The sun sets directly over the dunes in the distance. As the sun drops lower, the dunes light up in shades of orange and gold and the entire landscape transforms and feels like you're in the middle of the desert. It's one of those places that never gets old no matter how many times you visit.
Day 2: Beaches & Hidden Gems
Barry Park, Fingal Bay
Fingal Bay and Barry Park are two of our favourite spots in Port Stephens. From the grassy headland at Barry Park you'll have an unbeatable view overlooking Fingal Bay, Fingal Island and the famous Fingal Spit stretching out into the ocean.
There are picnic tables, plenty of open space and a scenic viewing platform if you continue walking along the concrete path. During winter, the viewing platform is the perfect whale watching spot and we often stop here hoping to spot whales passing by offshore.
There are also some lesser known walking trails that begin from Barry Park and wind their way through Tomaree National Park, offering some amazing views. Additionally, you can walk along Fingal Bay beach to the far end where you'll see the Fingal Spit and islands in the distance. It feels like you're on a tropical island with views like this. The waves and currents around Fingal Spit can be very dangerous so please don't try to cross when there's water.
Scenic Lunch in Shoal Bay
If there's one place in Port Stephens to grab lunch, it should be in the beautiful Shoal Bay. Right on the water at Shoal Bay, there are a few restaurants to choose from but two standouts are the Country Club and Atmos. The Country Club is the place to be for stunning bay views and a relaxed, tropical vibe. You can grab some fresh seafood and a drink on the patio, soaking up the sun and the lively atmosphere.
Atmos is definitely up there as one of my favourite NSW restaurants! You'll feel instantly transported by the authentic, breezy decor and the incredible aromas of traditional Greek cooking. It's the perfect spot to gather with friends and family for a relaxed, shared feast of classic dishes while soaking in the gorgeous water views right across the road. Whenever we go, we always get the mocktails, the fried cheese which is called Saganaki and the Baklava. Honestly everything off the menu is just amazing!
Bagnalls Beach
Before sunset, make a stop at Bagnalls Beach. This calm and sheltered beach is one of the most underrated spots in Port Stephens. The soft white sand and crystal clear turquoise water make it feel more like a tropical destination than a beach just a few hours from Sydney. The calm conditions also make it a great spot for a leisurely walk along the shoreline and the best part is that it's dog friendly. You'll find plenty of locals walking their dogs along this beach, enjoying the water and views.
Sunset at Boat Harbour Lookout
Another favourite lookout of ours is Boat Harbour Lookout. A short walk brings you to a rocky headland with sweeping ocean views. This is one of our favourite places to visit during whale migration season. On a good day you'll often spot multiple whales offshore and occasionally they come surprisingly close to the coastline. We also regularly see dolphins here which is always a bonus.
During the warmer months, the nearby rock pool is a popular swimming spot. The crystal clear water tucked between the rocks creates a beautiful natural swimming hole that's perfect for cooling off.
Day 3: Coastal Lookouts & Wildlife
Sunrise At Gan Gan Hill Lookout
Kick off your final day by catching sunrise from Gan Gan Hill Lookout. Unlike Mount Tomaree, you can drive almost all the way to the top, making it one of the easiest lookouts in the region to visit. The carpark is small but it's not a busy spot.
From the carpark you can see One Mile Beach and the sand dunes in the distance. Walk along the path for 100m and you'll reach the lookout platform. It's the highest viewpoint in Port Stephens and offers sweeping views across the bay, coastline and surrounding hinterland. The panoramic views are incredible and it's a great place to put into perspective just how large and unique the landscape of Port Stephens really is.
Visit Oakvale Wildlife Park
As you're leaving Port Stephens, you can make one final stop on your winter weekend itinerary with some more wildlife at Oakvale which is a great place to get up close with Australian wildlife. Grab yourself some animal feed and head to the back to visit the free roaming kangaroos where you can feed them.
The Highland cow and Texas Longhorn were two of our other favourites and they made the funniest faces when feeding them.
There aren't many places in NSW that offer so much diversity in a single weekend. From mountain summits and coastal walks to giant sand dunes, whale watching and wildlife encounters, the variety of landscapes packed into such a small region is incredible.
Port Stephens is one of those destinations that surprises most visitors and if you're looking for an easy escape from Sydney that combines adventure, relaxation and stunning scenery, it should be at the top of your list.
Planning a Bigger Australia Trip?
If you’re travelling beyond NSW, I’ve put together a range of detailed guides to help you plan your trip.
If you’re still deciding when to visit, you can read my guide on the best time to visit Australia by region, which breaks down the weather across the country so you can plan around it.
For route ideas, I’ve also shared the best road trips in Australia for first time visitors, covering some of the most iconic drives and hidden gems across the country.
And if you want everything mapped out in one place, I’ve created a full Australia Travel Guide with road trips, must see stops and flexible itineraries you can customise based on your trip.
👉 View the Australia Travel Guide here: https://www.rexby.com/lolahubner/australia