Port Stephens sits just north of Newcastle, and its main feature is the sheltered port itself, ringed by small bayside suburbs. That shape is what makes Port Stephens luxury accommodation appealing: you choose a setting first, then build the stay around it.
This page covers the settings worth considering, the premium tours listed on this site, the months that suit an indulgent break and how long it takes to drive in. For the wider choice of places to stay, see our Port Stephens accommodation page.
Where to base a more indulgent stay
Most people live and stay around the shores of the port. The suburbs named for it include Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, Corlette, Salamander Bay, Soldiers Point, Fingal Bay, Anna Bay, Lemon Tree Passage, Tanilba Bay and Karuah. Each has its own feel, and the shoreline is the common thread.
Nelson Bay is the usual hub for cruises. The region is known as the dolphin-watching capital, and a family-friendly base north of Newcastle is how we would describe the destination overall. Karuah sits at the northern end, straddling the Karuah River.
If a quieter, greener stay appeals, the rural and semi-rural areas west of the Pacific Highway offer a different pace. Our Port Stephens destination guide sets out how the area fits together.
Resorts and apartments
For a full-service stay, start with our Port Stephens resorts page. If you would rather have your own space, look at Port Stephens apartments. We reckon apartments suit a longer stay better than a single night, simply because you get room to spread out.
Premium tours to build into a stay
Three tours are listed on this site. All are set up as days out from Sydney, and they show what is on offer in the region.
| Tour | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Port Stephens Private Tour From Sydney, with Dolphin/Whale Cruise Options | 10 hours | from AUD 495 |
| Hunter Valley Winery, Port Stephens Sandboard or Camel Rides Tour | 11 to 12 hours | from AUD 219.1 |
| Dolphin Watching and Sandboarding, Port Stephens Tour from Sydney | 11 hours | from AUD 850 |
The private day tour
The private Port Stephens tour from Sydney runs for 10 hours and explores dramatic coastlines, sheltered bays and golden beaches. Your local guide handles transport by air-conditioned minivan, with hotel or port pickup included. Roughly 150 bottlenose dolphins live in the region year-round, and they can be seen from Nelson Bay cruises, which are an optional extra. Migrating whales pass through from June to November.
The most expensive option
The dolphin watching and sandboarding tour takes 11 hours and is listed from AUD 850. It is the priciest of the three.
Wine, sand and camels
Prefer something cheaper? The Hunter Valley winery tour with sandboarding or camel rides runs 11 to 12 hours and is listed from AUD 219.1. Please check current prices and times with the operator before booking.
For time on the water without a full-day tour, our Port Stephens cruises page is the place to look.
The best months for an indulgent stay
Port Stephens is mild all year. Summer is warm, with January averaging a high of 26.5 and a low of 20.8 degrees, though it is also among the wetter stretches, with February seeing about 86 mm of rain over 10 days. Winter is cooler, with July averaging a high of 16.3 and a low of 10.9 degrees.
Our pick for a relaxed, comfortable stay is spring, particularly September and October. September has about 41 mm of rain over 6.4 days, with an average high of 20.3 degrees. August is the driest month at 38.5 mm and has the most sunny days, at 29.1. It also falls within the whale season, June to November.
| 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 |
March is the wettest month, at 89.2 mm over nearly 12 days, so it is the one we would avoid if clear skies matter.
Getting there
By road, Port Stephens is 58 km from Newcastle (about 59 minutes) and 206 km from Sydney (about 170 minutes). The Hunter Valley is 99 km away, about 92 minutes, which makes a winery day easy to pair with a stay.
| Route | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Newcastle | 58 km | about 59 minutes |
| Hunter Valley | 99 km | about 92 minutes |
| Central Coast | 135 km | about 116 minutes |
| Sydney | 206 km | about 170 minutes |
| Port Macquarie | 245 km | about 186 minutes |
Without a car, Newcastle Airport is at Williamtown and flies direct to Brisbane, Melbourne, Ballina, Canberra, Dubbo, the Gold Coast, Sydney and Taree. Port Stephens Coaches runs a daily coach to Sydney's Central station. Newcastle Interchange is the nearest major railway station. A ferry links Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens.
If you want a park stay with more space
Not every indulgent stay is a hotel. Several holiday parks around the port offer powered sites and cabins, so contact each park for current rates and availability before booking. Near the water are BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Soldiers Point and BIG4 Karuah Jetty Holiday Park.
For general trip planning across the state, Visit NSW, the official state tourism site, is at visitnsw.com. Background on the local government area is on Wikipedia: Port Stephens Council.
Frequently asked questions
When can you see whales at Port Stephens?
Migrating whales pass through between June and November. Dolphins, about 150 bottlenose, are in the region year-round.
How far is Port Stephens from Sydney by road?
It is 206 km, about 170 minutes. A daily coach also runs to Sydney's Central railway station.
Which tour is the most expensive?
The dolphin watching and sandboarding tour from Sydney is listed from AUD 850 for 11 hours. The private tour is from AUD 495 for 10 hours.
