Port Stephens, New South Wales © Tourism Australia

Guide to Port Stephens

High season: Summer (December to February)
Low season: Winter (June to August)

Welcome
Getting to Port Stephens
When to visit

Discover a beguiling list of attractions – from wildlife to wineries, soaring sand dunes to ancient rainforest – in this northern New South Wales town.

Port Stephens is a seaside getaway, surrounded by 26 stunning beaches and a majestic bay along the Legendary Pacific Coast route. In addition to world-class surf breaks, visitors can explore this aquatic playground by scuba diving with grey nurse sharks, swimming with wild dolphins or snorkelling in gentle bays. There are inventive tours on offer in the nearby Stockton sand dunes and Barrington Tops National Park, making Port Stephens the perfect place for a weekend away.

A popular way to get to Port Stephens is to self drive from Sydney. It's a scenic, coastal route with plenty of places to stop and explore along the way. If you're pressed for time, you can also fly into Newcastle and explore Port Stephens from there.

Newcastle Airport (NTL) is approximately a 30-minute, or 35km (22km) drive to Port Stephens; domestic arrivals only.
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) is around 2.5 hours, or 210km (130mi) from Port Stephens; international and domestic arrivals.
Hire cars are available upon arrival, however it is recommended to pre-book your desired vehicle.

Port Stephens is perfect for beach hopping and adventure activities, which is why it’s no surprise that summer is the best time to visit. However if you want to spot humpback whales as they make their annual migration down the east coast, you will want to visit between May and November.