Port Stephens never really shuts for winter. Afternoons in July still reach 16.3 degrees, and August is the sunniest month on record, with about 29 sunny days. That shapes how we think about Port Stephens seasons: the area works in every month, but each one offers something different.
This page gives you the climate month by month, plus the seasonal highlights: the dolphins that stay all year and the whales that pass through between June and November. For current event dates, check the official Visit NSW state tourism site before you book.
Port Stephens seasons at a glance
The figures below are 1991-2020 averages for the Port Stephens area. Temperatures are mild throughout, and the gap between the warmest and coolest months is modest.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days | Sunny days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26.5 | 20.8 | 65.4 | 10.0 | 27.1 |
| February | 26.0 | 20.9 | 86.2 | 10.0 | 24.6 |
| March | 24.4 | 19.7 | 89.2 | 11.9 | 27.8 |
| April | 22.1 | 17.1 | 63.7 | 10.0 | 27.8 |
| May | 19.2 | 14.3 | 62.4 | 9.8 | 27.7 |
| June | 16.9 | 12.2 | 76.4 | 10.2 | 25.7 |
| July | 16.3 | 10.9 | 47.2 | 7.7 | 27.6 |
| August | 17.7 | 11.2 | 38.5 | 6.3 | 29.1 |
| September | 20.3 | 13.2 | 41.1 | 6.4 | 27.9 |
| October | 22.2 | 15.4 | 57.2 | 8.5 | 28.1 |
| November | 23.6 | 17.3 | 72.1 | 9.9 | 26.3 |
| December | 25.1 | 19.2 | 69.8 | 10.1 | 27.0 |
Summer: December to February
Summer is warm rather than fierce. Daytime highs run from 25.1 degrees in December to 26.5 in January, and nights stay around 19 to 21 degrees. Rain falls on about ten days a month, and February is the wetter end of the season at 86.2 mm. It also has the fewest sunny days of the year, at 24.6.
This is the season for beaches and bays. If you plan to camp, Ingenia Holidays One Mile Beach is a caravan park at One Mile with powered sites and cabins. Contact the park for rates and availability.
Autumn: March to May
March is the wettest month, with 89.2 mm over nearly 12 days, and it is still warm at 24.4 degrees. After that the weather settles. April has about 28 sunny days and 63.7 mm of rain, and by May the highs sit near 19 degrees with nights of 14.3.
We reckon April and May suit people who want mild days without summer heat. Autumn is also a sensible time to try the Port Stephens activities that depend on being outdoors.
Winter: June to August and the whale season
Winter is the driest part of the year, particularly August, which has 38.5 mm of rain over 6.3 days and the most sunshine of any month. July is the coolest, with a 16.3 degree maximum and a 10.9 minimum. June is slightly wetter, at 76.4 mm.
Winter is also when whales pass the coast. Between June and November, migrating whales travel through the region, and you can see them on cruises out of Nelson Bay. Bottlenose dolphins are here year-round, roughly 150 of them. Our Port Stephens cruises page covers the water-based side in more detail.
Tours that suit the whale season
The Port Stephens private tour from Sydney runs for 10 hours, from $495. It includes air-conditioned minivan transport with hotel or port pickup, and dolphin and whale cruises from Nelson Bay are an optional extra.
Spring: September to November
Spring warms steadily, from a 20.3 degree high in September to 23.6 in November. September is still dry, at 41.1 mm, and October has about 28 sunny days. Rain creeps back in November, with 72.1 mm and nearly ten wet days. Whale season carries on through to November, so a spring trip can still catch it.
For a day that combines sand and water, the dolphin watching and sandboarding tour from Sydney takes 11 hours and costs from $850. If wine appeals as well, the Hunter Valley winery tour with sandboarding or camel rides runs 11 to 12 hours and starts from $219. Check current prices with the operator.
Getting here whatever the season
Port Stephens Council area lies just north of Newcastle, beside the Pacific Highway. By road it is 58 km from Newcastle (about 59 minutes), 99 km from the Hunter Valley (about 92 minutes), 135 km from the Central Coast (about 116 minutes) and 206 km from Sydney (about 170 minutes). Port Macquarie is 245 km away, about 186 minutes.
Without a car, Newcastle Airport at Williamtown has direct flights to Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and several other cities. Port Stephens Coaches runs a daily coach service to Sydney, ending at Central railway station. Newcastle Interchange is the nearest major railway station. A ferry links Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens. Details on the council area are on Wikipedia's Port Stephens Council page. Winter and early spring are the driest, so they suit outdoor days, while summer and autumn bring more rain but more warmth. Our Port Stephens accommodation page lists places to stay.
Frequently asked questions
When can you see whales at Port Stephens?
Migrating whales pass through the coast between June and November. Cruises from Nelson Bay offer the chance to see them.
Are there dolphins all year?
Yes. Roughly 150 bottlenose dolphins live in the area year-round, and you can see them on cruises from Nelson Bay.
Which month is driest and sunniest?
August. It averages 38.5 mm of rain over 6.3 days and about 29 sunny days.
