PORT STEPHENS itinerary – FREE things to do in Port Stephens!

Here’s my guide to amazing FREE things to do in Port Stephens, which would be perfect for a 2-day itinerary!

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Thanks to its pristine coastline, Port Stephens has made it to the top of the list for gorgeous coastal getaways from Sydney. Whether you’re a couple, a family, or even going solo, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do here. If you’re like me and get bored laying on a beach all day, but your best mate LOVES a beach destination, there is a wide variety of sightseeing activities in Port Stephens, making it the perfect location to keep both of you occupied.

Getting to Port Stephens from Sydney by public transport or car:

It’s a 2-3 hour drive from Sydney to Port Stephens. If you don’t have a car, thankfully, you can take public transport from Sydney to Port Stephens, although it will take over four hours – take a train from Central Station Sydney to Newcastle Interchange and then take the 130 bus.

Getting to Port Stephens by plane:

There are direct flights to Newcastle from the Gold Coast Coolangatta Airport and Ballina, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. From the airport, the 130 bus stop is only a 3-minute walk. It takes 70 minutes to reach Port Stephens from the airport by bus, or it’s a thirty-minute drive.

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THINGS TO DO IN PORT STEPHENS

All the below attractions are FREE to do! And if you only have 2 days, you can easily spread these suggestions over a weekend to make for a fun-packed Port Stephens itinerary.

HIKE UP TO MT TOMAREE SUMMIT

Begin sightseeing on a high – literally. The Mt Tomaree Summit walk is a 2.2km walk with a famous view over the Port Stephens coastline. There are lookouts in both directions – at 161 meters above sea level, you’ll get an almost 360 view.

The hike is quite steep in places, so I recommend doing it at the beginning of the day, or it’s going to be HOT! On the other hand, be careful if it’s raining as the steep trails can get slippery.

There are so many hikes within Mt Tomaree National Park, so if you like hiking, it’s definitely worth grabbing a map and seeing what else takes your fancy – it’s a stunning area, so I doubt you can go far wrong! Always stick to the paths and check with the tourist information guides if you’re not sure what you need to take on a walking trail.

ZENITH BEACH

Zenith Beach, gorgeously nestled between Mt Tomaree and Stephens Peak, is the perfect place to relax after your hike. Who doesn’t love a white sand beach? You can easily enjoy the coastal walk here from the car park where the Mt Tomaree Summit Hike begins.

Zenith Beach is also known as a great sunrise spot if you feel like getting up early.

WRECK BEACH AND BOX BEACH WALKS

The 2km return walk (starting from Verona Road) to Wreck Beach is an excellent alternative to some of the more famous beaches, and you might have it all to yourself! It’s a beautiful picnic spot, too – lookout for whales!

The nearby Box Beach might be your best option for swimming due to the better facilities. These are the two beaches between Zenith Beach and Fingal Bay and often get missed out, but they’re stunning in their own right.

The best time to spot whales in off the coast of Port Stephens is between September and November or (though less frequently) from May to July. Whale-watching cruises are a popular activity in the area.

Snorkel with Wild Dolphins in Port Stephens

FINGAL BAY BEACH

Another stunning white sand beach! At nearly 2km long, this C-shaped beach is iconic and perfect for surfing. Just don’t be tempted to walk over the sandspit to Shark Island… it’s very dangerous due to the strong currents in this area and has had devastating results when attempted.

BLUE MOUNTAINS, AUSTRALIA! Things to do, transport, and day trip information guide

NELSONS BAY

The main town of Port Stephens has a great choice of accommodations, cafes, shops, and restaurants. This coastal town has its own beautiful beaches, and it was so lovely catching an accidental sunset here before heading for dinner when I first arrived.

Oh, also, we went to Little Nel for breakfast – my mate went on about how this was his favourite breakfast for WEEKS. Not even kidding; that man loves a good avocado toast, apparently.

GAN GAN HILL LOOKOUT

Gan Gan Hill is among the highest spots in the area, and you can access it from Lilly Hill Road. As you can see from my photos below was almost dark when I went, but I still got a stunning view! Bonus – if you’re still aching from the Mt Tomaree hike, Gan Gan Hill is a short drive from Nelsons Bay, so there’s no walking required.

In fact, the lookout is an ideal 7-minute drive or 35-minute walk from Nelsons Bay. If you have a car, you can watch the sunset from the beach at Nelsons Bay and then drive to Gan Gan Hill, which is what I did. It was like getting a 2-for-1 sunset deal.

TILLIGERRY HABITAT RESERVE

Take a stroll along the boardwalks of Tilligerry Habitat Reserve, and look out for koalas! Of course, they might be well-hidden, so thankfully, it’s still great for a morning stroll amongst the native fauna and smaller wildlife, such as kookaburras making their nests!

The reserve is 100% run by volunteers who will be more than happy to tell you a bit more about the area – a lovely bunch, so well worth chatting to on your way in.

Please be wary of any attractions which guarantee koala sightings or let you touch the animals. They are not always ethical, so research is vital. 🙂

CAN YOU SPOT THE KOALA IN BOTH OF THESE PHOTOS?

STOCKTON SAND DUNES

Famous for camel rides and 4×4 drives over the desert-like sand dunes, it’s also possible to enjoy this area for free. The dunes can be up to 30m high at an angle of 60 degrees – and at a huge 32km long, they are the longest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s very striking, so if you are going to splurge on something on your trip, sandboarding or quad biking over these dunes is a unique experience you wouldn’t forget!

Book a Port Stephens Sandboarding Experience

The below photo (left-hand side) was actually taken from Anna Bay car park, and the left photo was taken from where you can access the dunes on foot. There is a gorgeous walk with the dunes on one side and the sea on the other – a bit of a workout as it’s pretty hard to walk on the sand dunes but highly recommended by those who’ve tried it. Personally, I really enjoyed this.

If you already have a 4×4, you can also drive over the dunes – just make sure you get a permit.

Port Stephens Sand Dune Quad Bike Tour

BONUS: SEAL ROCKS

AN HOUR’S DRIVE FROM PORT STEPHENS

If I’m honest… the main reason I include Seal Rocks in this blog post is that this blog is a place for me to store memories… and it’s definitely memorable! I was only there for a short time, but I could see the beaches, and the landscape was absolutely gorgeous. I also spotted a pod of dolphins just out to sea, which was a bonus!

These photos were taken at Number One beach and Sugarloaf Lighthouse – two must-sees in the area. Seal Rocks is an excellent alternative for anyone who’s up for exploring somewhere a bit less well-known but packed with breathtaking scenery all the same. Sugarloaf Lighthouse is also a great place to see the milky way.

If you do want to do something a bit different on your Port Stephen’s itinerary, a day trip up to Seal Rocks is a great option.

Which of these activities would you like to do the most?

Or if you’ve already been, please let me know if there are any free activities I missed!