With its beautiful beaches, endless blue skies and friendly environment, Australia has plenty of amazing coastal towns, ready and waiting for those hit by the wanderlust bug. The harbour of Port Stephens is certainly one of those beautiful spots. A 2-hour drive north of Sydney, the town boasts national parks, fantastic sand dunes, and an impressive total of 26 beaches, many of them near- deserted. There are several great places to stay in Port Stephens. Hotel rates may differ depending on whether it’s located in town or by the seaside, but most places, like the Oaks Lure, for example, are affordable and convenient.
Port Stephens is a prominent tourist hub, due in part to its status as the ‘dolphin capital of Australia’. It is estimated that over a 140 bottlenose dolphins are living in the area, and swimming with these friendly sea creatures is a major tourist attraction. There are several reputed tour operators that offer dolphin, as well as whale watching, cruises. The best time to catch sight of humpback whales is between May to November. In addition, Port Stephens has a number of scuba diving sites that are suitable for all experience levels.
For avid hikers, Mount Tomaree, in Tomaree National Park, affords a great hiking experience along with spectacular views over Port Stephens and beyond. The trek to the summit is only a kilometer long, but it’s steep and can be challenging. Don’t forget to take drinking water, a camera and a good pair of binoculars, the summit is a perfect spot to watch migrating whales. If you are travelling with kids, a great way to keep the little ones entertained is a visit to the Tilligerry Habitat Reserve, where you can catch a glimpse of wild koalas in their natural habitat. The Koalas are said to feed in the reserve, where eucalyptus trees can be found in abundance. With its myriad of beaches and diving opportunities, a vacation in Port Stephens is all about sun, sea and sand.
Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+
