Are you looking to have a great time with the family at Port Stephens? We get it, Port Stephens is an incredibly popular holiday destination that offers so much to see and do, and is only a 3-hour drive from Sydney.
However, planning any trip can be difficult, and a trip to Port Stephens is no exception. There are just so many options out there for you to try out!
Don’t worry, we can help you narrow down your choices. And with three Ingenia Holiday Parks located in Port Stephens, you can base yourself at One Mile Beach, Middle Rock or Soldiers Point while you explore the area.
Let’s go through our list of top 5 things to do on your next family vacation at Port Stephens.
1. Hang out with the animals
There are so many opportunities to explore the wildlife of the area when you visit Port Stephens. You can swim with stingrays and sharks at Bob’s Farm or ride the camels at Oakfield Ranch. At Oakvale Wildlife Park, you can try your hand-feeding some of the animals indigenous to Australia (including meerkats, snakes, and more).
If you’d rather admire the animals from a distance, you can always sign up for a whale watching tour.
If you’re a big fan of koalas, check out the Koala Reserve Mangrove Boardwalk. And, for the experience of a lifetime, make sure you head out to swim with dolphins.
That’s part of what makes Port Stephens the perfect choice for family vacations. Your whole family can take in the beautiful wildlife of the area and learn while they have a fun and memorable time!
2. Explore the natural wonders of the area
If you’d like to explore any of the beautiful nature that Port Stephens has to offer, you’re in luck. You can explore both the sand dunes and the wetlands at Tomaree National Park.
Try out surfing at one of the many fabulous beaches in the Port Stephens area. If you want to reach greater heights, try hiking up Mount Tomaree for the experience of a lifetime. Ride quad bikes all over the beaches of Port Stephens.
Have you ever tried tobogganing? Make sure you head over to Toboggan Hill Park not just for tobogganing but for a whole host of other amazing activities in the great outdoors. If you’d rather see your nature from a distance, look into one of the great hot air balloon flights in the area.
And, if you’re looking to have a truly natural experience in Port Stephens, you can stay at an Ingenia Holiday Parks in the area.
These locations are all pet and child friendly, so every member of your family will be sure to have a wonderful time on your Port Stephens vacation.
3. Hit the beach at Port Stephens
You can hang out at many beautiful beaches at Port Stephens, and they all offer many different, exciting activities. These are just a few of the many beaches you should check out while you’re visiting Port Stephens:
- One Mile Beach
- Zenith Beach
- Box Beach
- Kingsley Beach
- Paradise Beach
- Samurai Beach
- Fingal Bay Beach
There are so many different activities you can do on the beaches in Port Stephens, too. If you’ve never tried sandboarding before, now’s your chance. Try the usual water sports, like paddle boarding and kayaking, in a brand-new beautiful environment.
And, for one of the most Instagrammable sites in the area, you won’t want to miss the Champagne Spa in Boat Harbour.
If you happen to be in town for the NSW holidays, you may even have special events or festivals you can check out in the area.
4. Eat and drink your favourites
After a long day out and about, you’ll be looking for the best eats in Port Stephens. There are tons of great restaurants in the area around Nelson Bay. You can check out an array of cuisines including Korean barbecue, Malaysian, seafood, pizza, Indian, and so much more.
If you’d rather enjoy casual drinks, you won’t be disappointed. You can hang out at beer gardens like the Cheeky Dog or hang out at more upscale places like the Seabreeze Hotel Bistro and Bar.
If you’re just not sure where to start when choosing where to eat or drink, look into one of the great craft beer walking tours offered in the Port Stephens area. There are also wine and food tours offered if either is more your speed.
5. Check out the cultural sites (and learn something)
Port Stephens isn’t just a hub for amazing outdoor activities. The area also offers great museums and other cultural sites, so you can truly learn something on your fabulous vacation.
If you’re interested in learning about planes and the military history of Australia, you’ll definitely have to check out Fighter World. Do you want to check out some beautiful and unusual shells? You’ll have to make a point to head over to the Port Stephens Shell Museum, which offers admission for just fifty cents a person.
Are you a big fan of art? The Artisan Collective Port Stephens has a beautiful variety of art from local artists for you to take in. You can also look at any of the other beautiful art galleries in your area. If you’d like to do some shopping during your vacation, you won’t want to miss the Tomaree Markets.
Of course, this is just a small sampling of the different cultural options in Port Stephens. Look around, and you’ll certainly find many more!
Have a great time in Port Stephens
With these activities, your whole family will be sure to have the time of your life on your Port Stephens vacation. Pick and choose the activities that work best for you and get started on planning your upcoming trip.
Are you ready to lock it down? Escape with us today.
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