Why Port Stephens, New South Wales was one of our favourite destinations – in pictures

We love discovering off the beaten path destinations, or known places we had never heard of, during our travels. It really is one of our favourite past times and I have a whole section on our blog highlighting such unusual destinations that other travellers have been to all over the world. We put Nelson Bay on our 2 month Australia road trip itinerary after we left Sydney and Newcastle, not based on any recommendations, just because I read that there is a resident population of dolphins in this Bay. Thanks to the freedom that comes with travelling in a campervan – we are doing a one month road trip with Britz campervans from Sydney to Cairns – Port Stephens, New South Wales has now become one of our favourite newly discovered destinations on this 2 month Australia road trip!

Here I highlight in 20 pictures why this place was so special to us:

Our caravan Site Halifax Holiday Park was just on the beach with pelicans walking all around

Several safe swimming beaches and not very busy either – here at Little Beach

Discovering coloured beetles in the bushes

Snorkelling during low tide, so not very clear, but there were SO MANY FISH in the water!

Snorkelling selfie – Port Stephens is famous for having some great snorkelling and diving sites

Several play areas and fun activities for the kids

Lovely harbour and jetty to walk around at the town centre

Learning to make a kite and fly it at Halifax Holiday Park

Line of Pelicans getting ready for the fishermen to throw away the offal

Had the BEST pies in the world at Red Neds Gourmet Pies! Thanks to Dana from The Wandering Donut for telling us about this place 🙂

Experiencing beautiful sunset from the harbour

Climbing to the top of Tomaree Headland Lookout,

Not crowded and a very laid back atmosphere

Enjoying our Family Hike

End of a long hike, being able to fall asleep in our Britz mobile home as we leave for our next destination 🙂

And last but not least, the highlight of the trip – for which we have no pictures! – was coming out of the water after we were done snorkelling and seeing dolphins jumping in the same waters!! It was magical seeing the pod swim along the shore, watching them from the rocks. I have been waiting to see dolphins in the wild since we started this trip and now finally I did 🙂

There were several other activities you can do around here – sailing, diving, dolphin and whale watching cruises, visiting sand dunes and more. See their website here for the extensive list. Nelson Bay is really a gem of a place and only such a short distance from Sydney too! We loved our 2 days here and I am sure you would love it too 🙂

Port Stephens, New South Wales

Linked to Weekend Travel Inspiration