Port Stephens Day Trip from Newcastle: Dolphins, Dunes and the Bay

Port Stephens, about 50 kilometres north of Newcastle via Raymond Terrace, offers a combination of sheltered bay beaches, wild ocean beaches and Stockton Sand Dunes that makes it one of the most versatile day trips in New South Wales. Nelson Bay is the main hub, with dolphin-watching cruises operating year-round from the marina (the bay has a permanent resident bottlenose dolphin population). Fingal Bay and One Mile Beach are popular sheltered swimming spots, while Anna Bay provides access to the Stockton Dunes, where quad bike tours and sandboarding operate on the enormous coastal dunes. The drive north from Newcastle passes through agricultural land and small historic towns, making the journey worthwhile in itself.