Guidebook for Nelson Bay
Food Scene
Seabreeze Hotel
1 Stockton StGreat food, right in the middle of the Nelson Bay main centre.
Great burgers, chips, egg and bacon rolls and coffee! Very popular and right across from the beach. Last order taken at 6.45pm.
Corlette Store
27 Sandy Point RdGreat burgers, chips, egg and bacon rolls and coffee! Very popular and right across from the beach. Last order taken at 6.45pm.
Restaurant upstairs is great and the bar area downstairs is perfect for afternoon drinks. Bar menu is delicious!
110 locals recommend
Little Beach Boathouse
4 Victoria ParadeRestaurant upstairs is great and the bar area downstairs is perfect for afternoon drinks. Bar menu is delicious!
Two words - calamari stack!
Delicious. Large servings so one meal could prob serve 2 people. They don't take booking and it gets super busy. Get in early if you can to avoid disappointment!
25 locals recommend
Newcastle & Port Stephens Game Fish Club
57 Shoal Bay RdTwo words - calamari stack!
Delicious. Large servings so one meal could prob serve 2 people. They don't take booking and it gets super busy. Get in early if you can to avoid disappointment!
Great place to visit for a drink and food food. Nice and spacious, plenty of room. No bookings required. You can take your 4 legged friend with you and they have live music from 2.30pm Sundays.
29 locals recommend
Cheeky Dog
147 Soldiers Point RdGreat place to visit for a drink and food food. Nice and spacious, plenty of room. No bookings required. You can take your 4 legged friend with you and they have live music from 2.30pm Sundays.
Great outdoor playground and grass area for the kids so you can eat and drink in peace
18 locals recommend
Soldiers Point Bowling Club
118 Soldiers Point RdGreat outdoor playground and grass area for the kids so you can eat and drink in peace
The Salamander Hotel
7 Town Centre CctGood food, outdoor playground for the kids
Great food and if you are looking for a night on the town, this is where to go.
95 locals recommend
Shoal Bay Country Club
35-45 Shoal Bay RdGreat food and if you are looking for a night on the town, this is where to go.
Great local cafe for coffee and breakfast. Located up near Woolworths in Nelson Bay
6 locals recommend
Essence Espresso Nelson Bay
47 Donald StGreat local cafe for coffee and breakfast. Located up near Woolworths in Nelson Bay
Recently renovated, they have great food and a playground for the kids.
Fingal Bay Sports Club, Rocky Point Rd station
100 Rocky Point RdRecently renovated, they have great food and a playground for the kids.
Parks & Nature
20 - 25 min walk up to the top. Stunning views of the bay. Steep climb so allow extra time if fitness isn't really your thing :)
56 locals recommend
Tomaree Mountain
20 - 25 min walk up to the top. Stunning views of the bay. Steep climb so allow extra time if fitness isn't really your thing :)
Gorgeous beach, great for kids. There is a patrolled section however you can go up to 'Kiddies corner' for a nice swim.
41 locals recommend
Fingal Bay
Gorgeous beach, great for kids. There is a patrolled section however you can go up to 'Kiddies corner' for a nice swim.
5 minutes from Nelson Bay Marina... spectacular walk along the Bridle path.... ( about one ice cream cone 🍦 ) look out for Koalas 🐨 along the way...
22 locals recommend
Dutchmans Beach Reserve
1 Burbong St5 minutes from Nelson Bay Marina... spectacular walk along the Bridle path.... ( about one ice cream cone 🍦 ) look out for Koalas 🐨 along the way...
On a high tide great sheltered spot for kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. On a low tide, you can pump for yabbies or just walk out as far as the sand goes.
Roy Wood Reserve
160A Sandy Point RdOn a high tide great sheltered spot for kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. On a low tide, you can pump for yabbies or just walk out as far as the sand goes.
Perfect spot to take the little ones. No waves and sheltered area. Take away shop nearby for lunch and ice creams
15 locals recommend
Little Beach Reserve
Beach RoadPerfect spot to take the little ones. No waves and sheltered area. Take away shop nearby for lunch and ice creams
Lots to do here - surf, body board, swim, sand boarding and camel riding. Dog friendly in most areas. Huge beach with lots of space and nice little rock pool corners to explore.
56 locals recommend
Birubi Beach
73 James Paterson StLots to do here - surf, body board, swim, sand boarding and camel riding. Dog friendly in most areas. Huge beach with lots of space and nice little rock pool corners to explore.
Shopping
Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and Kmart are the major retailers here. A large Amcal Chemist and Cotton On store is also on site. Smaller shops include Platapus shoes, Privvy, Kaos Surf/Osmosis, Lowes, Spendless Shoes, Just Jeans and Rockmans. Bank branches onsite include St George, CBA and Greater Bank
59 locals recommend
Salamander Bay Square
2 Town Centre CctWoolworths, Coles, Aldi and Kmart are the major retailers here. A large Amcal Chemist and Cotton On store is also on site. Smaller shops include Platapus shoes, Privvy, Kaos Surf/Osmosis, Lowes, Spendless Shoes, Just Jeans and Rockmans. Bank branches onsite include St George, CBA and Greater Bank
D'Albora Marinas
6 Teramby RdBoutique stores in the main Nelson Bay Centre
Large Woolworths nearby in the Nelson Bay shopping mall. Only a few minutes drive from the property. Parking is located underneath the store
43 locals recommend
Woolworths Nelson Bay
Donald StreetLarge Woolworths nearby in the Nelson Bay shopping mall. Only a few minutes drive from the property. Parking is located underneath the store
Things to do
Go Karts Go Nelson Bay
778 Marsh RdGreat place for the little ones. Please book to save $$$ and to avoid disappointment if we are booked out.
Our indoor playground is well suited to those aged 12 months to 12 years of age, however it is fit to handle the playfulness of the young at heart while they connect with their kids.
We have 2 separate soft play playgrounds & 2 chill out rooms are included with your regular entry fee.
Free colouring in and play dough play included.
Socks are required to use the playground.
Spirited - A Creative Play Cafe
12 Innovation ClGreat place for the little ones. Please book to save $$$ and to avoid disappointment if we are booked out.
Our indoor playground is well suited to those aged 12 months to 12 years of age, however it is fit to handle the playfulness of the young at heart while they connect with their kids.
We have 2 separate soft play playgrounds & 2 chill out rooms are included with your regular entry fee.
Free colouring in and play dough play included.
Socks are required to use the playground.
David Grahams Golf Complex
4321 Nelson Bay RdPutt putt, driving range, clay shooting. Cash only
If you are keen for a early Saturday monring run, meet at 8am outside Fingal Bay surf club
Fingal Bay Parkrun
If you are keen for a early Saturday monring run, meet at 8am outside Fingal Bay surf club
Sand Dune Safaris
James Paterson StreetSand dune fun!
Quad Bike King Port Stephens
2130 Nelson Bay RdOpened daily, the Koala Sanctuary offers visitors a unique opportunity to see koalas in their natural habitat.
21 locals recommend
Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
562 Gan Gan RdOpened daily, the Koala Sanctuary offers visitors a unique opportunity to see koalas in their natural habitat.
Experience the true nature of sharks, rays and the weird and wonderful world of the ocean. You can choose to enter the animal’s world by going into the water or feed and pat them from the edges of the pools. Best to book ahead in school holidays
60 locals recommend
Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters
2 Jessie RdExperience the true nature of sharks, rays and the weird and wonderful world of the ocean. You can choose to enter the animal’s world by going into the water or feed and pat them from the edges of the pools. Best to book ahead in school holidays
Arcade games and fun for the family. Underneath Hogs Breath Cafe at Nelson Bay D'Albora Marina
Zone Out Arcade
Arcade games and fun for the family. Underneath Hogs Breath Cafe at Nelson Bay D'Albora Marina
The Original Tea Gardens Ferry operates a daily return ferry service between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens. Have lunch over at Tea Gardens Hotel. Our friendly knowledgeable crew will provide informative commentary while you take in the panoramic views of Port Stephens and The Myall River. Sit back and relax as we travel through Port Stephens Marine Park. Keep an eye out for some of our locals …. Dingoes, Turtles, Seabirds and the bay resident dolphins enjoy putting on a display for our passengers regularly.
30 locals recommend
Port Stephens Ferry Service
6 Teramby RoadThe Original Tea Gardens Ferry operates a daily return ferry service between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens. Have lunch over at Tea Gardens Hotel. Our friendly knowledgeable crew will provide informative commentary while you take in the panoramic views of Port Stephens and The Myall River. Sit back and relax as we travel through Port Stephens Marine Park. Keep an eye out for some of our locals …. Dingoes, Turtles, Seabirds and the bay resident dolphins enjoy putting on a display for our passengers regularly.
Dolphin and whale watching cruises!
Port Stephens is home to over 160 resident bottlenose dolphins and that’s why we call
ourselves the Dolphin Capital of Australia!
With a high success rate in dolphin sightings, boomnet rides and a waterside – you
can’t go past a Moonshadow – TQC Dolphin Watching Cruise in Nelson Bay.
Dolphin Watch Cruise Inclusions:
See our world-famous resident wild bottlenose dolphins
Exciting boom net rides (not on MV Osprey)
Fun, waterslides
Expansive open decks or covered all weather indoor viewing
Fully licensed bar and delicious snack foods available
Live information, fun Captain’s commentary
High success sighting rate
57 locals recommend
Moonshadow - TQC Cruises
35 Stockton StDolphin and whale watching cruises!
Port Stephens is home to over 160 resident bottlenose dolphins and that’s why we call
ourselves the Dolphin Capital of Australia!
With a high success rate in dolphin sightings, boomnet rides and a waterside – you
can’t go past a Moonshadow – TQC Dolphin Watching Cruise in Nelson Bay.
Dolphin Watch Cruise Inclusions:
See our world-famous resident wild bottlenose dolphins
Exciting boom net rides (not on MV Osprey)
Fun, waterslides
Expansive open decks or covered all weather indoor viewing
Fully licensed bar and delicious snack foods available
Live information, fun Captain’s commentary
High success sighting rate
Tomaree Coastal Walk in Port Stephens offers a multi-day experience like no other over 27 km. Where else can you climb a summit for sunrise, discover secluded beaches, and explore picturesque rock platforms on a journey connecting coastal villages?
Choose your own adventure and explore the walk your way over 2 or 3 days. The track retraces ancient routes used by the Worimi People and you’ll finish at Birubi Point Aboriginal Place where you can learn the stories of this land through cultural artwork. If you're keen to stay longer and explore the largest moving sand dune in the southern hemisphere visit Worimi Conservation Lands and try guided camel rides, quad biking, sandboarding, and more.
Tomaree Coastal Walk
Tomaree Coastal Walk in Port Stephens offers a multi-day experience like no other over 27 km. Where else can you climb a summit for sunrise, discover secluded beaches, and explore picturesque rock platforms on a journey connecting coastal villages?
Choose your own adventure and explore the walk your way over 2 or 3 days. The track retraces ancient routes used by the Worimi People and you’ll finish at Birubi Point Aboriginal Place where you can learn the stories of this land through cultural artwork. If you're keen to stay longer and explore the largest moving sand dune in the southern hemisphere visit Worimi Conservation Lands and try guided camel rides, quad biking, sandboarding, and more.