Things to do in Port Stephens

Take a cruise around magnificent Port Stephens Harbour on one of the biggest boats in the bay. Keep an eye out for the resident Bottlenose Dolphins as you head out beautiful Port Stephens Marine Park. Take in the sights of Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands, Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay, and the Eastern Harbour as you sit back and relax on the deck area. If you feel like getting a bit wet, feel free to use our boomnet. Enjoy entertaining and informative commentary on board. If you feel like indulging in something a little different, there is a licensed bar on board that you can choose to purchase from. 

You have to experience sandboarding in Port Stephens. The thrill of sliding down the spectacular Stockton Sand Dunes is so much fun. From the meeting point at Birubi beach, you will board the custom-built off-road vehicle to start your adventure on the short, bouncy ride into the largest moving sand mass in the southern hemisphere. The dunes stretch 32 kilometers, the entire length of Stockton Beach, and can reach over 40 meters high, the same as a 10 storey building. The views alone are spectacular. Once you are in the dunes, the team will give you a rundown on sandboarding and how to use the handmade custom-designed boards for maximum safety and speed. Then you are off. Climb to the top of the dunes, jump on your board, then slide on down and repeat. Your ticket includes unlimited sandboarding so you can stay and play as long as you like. For most people that’s about 1 – 1.5 hours. When you're done just jump back aboard one of the 4WD buses, that leave every half an hour, and be taken back to the Birubi Beach starting point. It’s an amazing experience for everyone, no matter your age. The instructors are always on hand to help, answer any questions about sandboarding, Port Stephens or the dunes and to make sure you have maximum fun. Don’t forget to bring your camera along as you’ll have the chance to capture some amazing Port Stephens holiday snaps. *Disclaimer: Please be advised that sand boarding can be a dangerous activity and you do so at your own risk, no injuries are the responsibility of 4WD Tours R Us (This applies to all participants) Failure to inform yourself off the risks is your own personal choice and by purchasing this ticket you consent that all risks involved are at your own choice and no responsibility is held by 4WD Tours R US

Spend a magical 2 hours looking for dolphins off the coast of Nelson Bay and get some time to splash about in stunning blue water. Choose from a morning, afternoon departure and be entertained by the informative commentary as you go on search of beautiful resident dolphins on the Port Stephens harbour. Get stunning views of the Eastern harbor, including spectacular Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands. Relax on the deck with a drink and snacks purchased at the licensed bar. Laugh your way around the harbor as you make use of the large boom net and water slide.

Be immersed in nature up close as you join a dolphin watching cruise, see wild Koalas in their natural habitat and take part in a 4WD and sandboarding adventure on the largest mobile sand dune system in the Southern Hemisphere. After a perfect day mixing nature in the wild with incredible adventure you will return knowing you have witnessed something truly unique. 7:00am – Travel across the Sydney Harbour Bridge for a scenic drive along the spectacular NSW Central Coast. Short comfort stop en route. 10:30am –Arrive on the traditional lands of the Worimi people in the tranquil coastal village of Nelson Bay. Depart on 90-minute Dolphin Discovery Cruise with Moonshadow Cruises on the turquoise blue waters of Port Stephens, a veritable marine wonderland. This extraordinary natural harbour is home to some 140 bottle nose dolphins who will entrance you by their playful and intelligent nature as they frolic around the boat or surf the bow waves. Be mindful to also look out for other wildlife including pelicans, sea eagles, the occasional seal. 12:00pm - Enjoy an Aussie lunch, in the natural surroundings. Vegetarian option available. 1:00pm - Visit the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary which supports the long-term rehabilitation, preservation and conservation of koala in the wild. This $ 13 million project has been jointly funded by the NSW State Government and the Port Stephens council to provide care for sick, injured or orphaned Koalas with the aim of releasing them back into the wild. Brighton Tours proudly supports the conservation and preservation efforts of the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary having adopted several wild koalas in their care. Our visit here today will make a direct contribution to the preservation of wild Koalas in Port Stephens. Enjoy the Sanctuary Story Walk, a flat 250m pathway with large Koala sculptures that educate about Koala and its natural habitat. Take a look into Koala Hospital which is making a direct contribution to the long-term survivability of the wild Koala population in the Port Stephens region. The final attraction is the Sanctuary SKYwalk a 225mtr elevated pathway with viewing platforms in the tree top canopy where you have the rare opportunity of seeing one of Australia’s most iconic marsupials in the wild. 2:00pm – Depart the Koala Sanctuary for the sand dunes and Port Stephens 4WD Tour Sandboarding adventure. 2:15pm – Our final stop is at the world-renowned Stockton sand dunes, a coastal desert that is 32km long and the largest mobile sand dune system in the southern hemisphere. Meet your friendly drivers from Port Stephens 4WD Tours, and board a 21-seater 4WD red bus for the 2km drive to “The Dunes”. Now it’s time for Adventure as you sand board down the huge sand dunes that make up this idyllic setting. 3:30pm – Depart for Sydney 7:00pm – Arrive back in Sydney

Embark on an epic adventure on the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Once at the meeting point, you will board a comfortable 4WD vehicle for a 10-minute drive across the expansive dunes to the private and secluded sandboarding area, far away from the hustle and bustle of civilisation. Here you will be greeted by a friendly instructor who will teach you the safe method of sandboarding for both the sit down and stand up styles. You can choose from a range of different boards, both with and without bindings - or, pair up with a buddy and ride tandem. The bowl-shaped dune features both smaller slopes and a monster slope - you choose the size of the hill based on your confidence level. Sandboarding is suitable for all ages and abilities. There is a shaded picnic area with tables and chairs provided at the dune, so feel free to bring your own food and drinks and enjoy a picnic whilst taking in the incredible panoramic views of beach, dunes, and forest. There are plenty of amazing photo opportunities within this unique landscape. Best of all, you can stay and play as long as you like. Most people will generally spend 1-2 hours. There is a shuttle to the dunes and back every 15 minutes, so when you are ready to head back just hop on the the next shuttle.

Entry to Irukandji is unique, unlike the traditional aquarium viewing through glass, our guests have the ability to meet the wildlife, pet them, feed them & even share the water with them. Our Entry Pass allows guests to access the shallow water of the lagoons in bare feet, being surrounded by many curious & friendly sharks & rays guests are treated to a whole new level of excitement, fear & admiration for these misunderstood creatures and the entire ocean. Incredible Aussie shark memories All Day When you arrive at Irukandji you will be greeted by staff members who will guide you through the whole process, from learning how to interact safely with the animals to providing you with all the equipment needed to enter the water and meet the animals. Choose from the option of wearing your own clothes in the water and just getting your feet and ankles wet, getting into a wetsuit and going in deeper with the Discovery Pass upgrade. You can choose to go barefoot or cover up your toes with a pair of wear and keep souvenir socks. At the lagoons, you will be given a feeding stick and food for the sharks and rays, and then guided around to the different pools by a knowledgable fish keeper. Each of the pools is home to different species of fish with specific food and information provided at each one. You will get to reach in and interact with the animals as they swim around in their aquatic homes. Irukandji features 2 large, deep, natural-style lagoons housing a variety of different animals. In the Fingill lagoon, you’ll meet a whole bunch of friendly and curious rays who will glide over your feet and eagerly snatch the food from your sticks. Reach down to pet them and feel the different textures of their skin. Then over at the Tropical lagoon, meet a few more rays plus a variety of shark species including zebra sharks and brown-banded bamboo sharks. You can interact with them while listening to the keepers as they give educational talks about sharks, rays, and marine conservation. During our Big Shark Talk, our friendly fish keepers will invite you into the shallows as they bring up our large Tawny Nurse Sharks and Whitetip Reef Sharks. Afterwards, you can rinse off under a warm shower and towel down before heading in for a cruise around the gift shop for a large range of sustainable gifts, cute fluffy toys, snacks and cold drinks.

Get out on the water for an exciting sailing adventure around Nelson Bay. Look out for the abundance of bottlenose dolphins in the area. For 1.5 hours you’ll explore the beautiful waterways, looking out for dolphins. Just north of Sydney, Port Stephens is home to a large population of around 100 dolphins and other marine life between November and April each year. Head out on board a comfortable 52 foot sailing catamaran with a spacious deck for dolphin watching and 360-degree views. You can stay dry and watch from the deck or the bow-net. Alternatively, bring your swimwear and jump into the boom-net and hold on tight for a wild ride. This is an exciting opportunity to get close to the dolphins, and this cruise runs with a 99% dolphin sighting success rate plus a guarantee. If conditions allow, you’ll hoist the sails for your way back to the marina to wrap up your adventure. This experience is part of our Low-Footprint Adventures range because it is ECO certified by Ecotourism Australia.

Head to the meeting point and check in for your cruise. Then, board the 54-foot sailing catamaran and get ready for your whale-watching adventure. Set sail, heading out to sea to find the incredible migrating humpback whales. Enjoy sightings of these majestic behemoths, who often put on a show for guests, breaching, performing pectoral slaps, and evening mugging. Learn more about the whales and other wildlife from your experienced guides, who will provide informative commentary throughout the experience. And be sure to keep an eye out for Australian fur seals, dolphins, and sea birds while you sail. Your whale-watching cruise includes complimentary tea and coffee, with other drinks and snacks available to purchase from the fully licensed on-board bar.

Embark on an unforgettable day tour from Sydney to the stunning Port Stephens, a blue water paradise on the NSW Coast. Your adventure begins with a 7 AM departure from Sydney Central. As we head towards Port Stephens, we’ll make a quick stop halfway for coffee or breakfast (at your own expense), giving you a chance to refuel before the fun begins. Our first major stop is Anna Bay, home to the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, you can choose between two thrilling activities. Opt for a sand safari and feel the adrenaline rush as you slide down the dunes on a sandboard. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, enjoy a unique camel ride along the dunes, taking in the spectacular scenery. Next, we visit Nelson Bay, the heart of Port Stephens. This picturesque coastal town is perfect for lunch, offering a variety of dining options from fast food to local cafes (at your own expense). While in Nelson Bay, you also have the option to embark on a dolphin cruise. With over 140 resident dolphins, Port Stephens is renowned for these playful creatures, and spotting them in their natural habitat is an experience not to be missed. For those who enjoy a good hike, skip the dolphin cruise and join us for a guided walk up Mount Tomaree. This hike rewards you with breathtaking views from the summit, providing the perfect opportunity for some amazing photos. After a full day of adventure and relaxation, we’ll head back to Sydney, arriving at Sydney Central around 7:30 PM.

Important Note: Construction of a $2M expansion to the Koala Hospital has commenced and will conclude in September / October 2024. There may be some disruptions caused by this construction that could impact your stay with us at the Sanctuary. We plan to, where ever possible, minimise construction impacts to avoid as much inconvenience caused. Spend a few hours or a whole day at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary learning about Australia’s beloved koalas and the threats they face. Walk amongst the beautiful Australian bush and see koalas in their natural environment doing what they do best – sleeping and eating.  Sanctuary Story Walk is a meandering 250-meter pathway offering an immersive educational experience of the koala and its habitat. The koalas at the sanctuary have been brought there for treatment and rehabilitation after injury, with the aim of returning them to the wild if possible. At the Koala Hospital veterinarians care for koalas requiring treatment and general check-ups. The Sanctuary SKYwalk is a 225-meter-long pathway with viewing platforms raised 10 metres into the tree canopy. The unique tree top perspective is a great photo opportunity. You may even find yourself eye-to-eye with a cuddly koala – always remember, look but don’t touch, they are wild animals. Due to the natural setting of Port Stephen’s Koala Sanctuary you may spot echidnas shuffling around on the ground around the walkways. If you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of an adorable brush tail possum hanging out in a tree hollow as well. After you have experienced all the attractions Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary offers, finish with a visit to Fat Possum Kiosk. Grab a snack, coffee or treat and browse a variety of souvenirs and gifts. Proceeds go towards the continued conservation effort of koalas and their threatened habitat. Visiting Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary entails a round-trip walk of about 1km in length. All pathways and elevated viewing platforms are easily accessible and designed for all ages and abilities. Some limited bench seating is provided along the Sanctuary Story Walk.