Nelson Bay, Port Stephens
A slow one. Beautiful beaches, easy walks, nature and that laid-back coastal-town feel, about two and a half hours north of Sydney. Nelson Bay is the kind of place you go when you want to switch off, spend your days by the water and not have too much planned.
My experience & recommendations
Walk: Nelson Bay Foreshore Walk. Start: d'Albora Marinas, Nelson Bay ↗. Easy, flat coastal walk with views the whole way, around 1–2 hours depending on how far you go. Perfect if you want a walk without anything too strenuous.
Walk: Tomaree Head Summit. Start: Tomaree Head Summit walk car park, Zenith Beach Road ↗. The iconic one, insane views over Zenith Beach. Moderate, one steep section, only around 30 minutes up. Look out for the old WWII gun emplacements built into the hillside in 1941, easy to miss if you don't know they're there. We even spotted a pod of dolphins from the top, just cruising along below.
- Swim at Shoal Bay ↗, clear, calm water and a really nice spot for a float. Jump off the jetty if you're feeling brave.
- Slow coffee at Inner Light Tea Rooms ↗, a cute heritage-listed cafe overlooking Shoal Bay. Lovely spot for a lazy morning.
- More beaches worth checking out: Zenith Beach, beautiful and a bit wilder, tucked between Tomaree Head and the bush. Wreck Beach, smaller and quieter, you walk down to it, which is half the fun. Box Beach, another peaceful one, surrounded by bush and rocky headlands.
- Honestly, that's the whole plan. Beach, walk, swim, good food, repeat.
Refuel stop
Breakfast at The Little Nel ↗. We went back every single morning because the food was that good, the coffee was unreal too, and the hash browns deserve a special mention all on their own.
