Port Stephens and Nelson Bay are great getaway destinations with secluded bays, pristine beaches and many protected dive sites nearby and at its offshore islands.

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Port Stephens, also nicknamed the blue water paradise, and Nelson Bay are both vibrant towns on the shores of a very beautiful bay with brilliant volcanic peaks, a coastline rivaling any in the world and some of the nicest golden sand beaches in New South Wales. This peninsula like bay is located just north of Newcastle and can be separated in the Tomaree Peninsula, the Tilligerry Peninsula and the Golden Bight. Most of its water is flowing from the Karuah River, Myall River (Myall Lakes) and Twelve Mile Creek in the north and northeast.

Popular day activities for tourists are dolphin cruises, whale watching tours and sailing trips. There is plenty of superb angling out there as well as deep sea fishing trips. Sailboats, motorboats, jet skis, catamarans; you can literally find all types of vessels on the water. At Stockton Beach you can take a ride on its huge sand dunes, visit one of its many art galleries or just stroll around town for shopping and some excellent sea food diving. There are also tens of natural attractions such as the Tilligerry Wildlife Habitat, Hunter Valley and Soldiers Point. One of the most popular coastal resort towns in the opening of this crystal clear bay is Nelson Bay, a small touristic village with a large marina. On Nelson Head, separating town and Shoal Bay, you can take a look at one of its lighthouses and have excellent views across the ocean. Even better; take a look at the Gan Gan Lookout, which is one of the best viewpoints of the region. Fingal Bay, Tomaree National Park and Anna Bay are great walking escapes. Tilligerry Creek is a large mass of water separating Lemon Tree Passage and Tanilba Bay from the Tilligerry Nature Reserve. Other well known villages, bays and attractions are Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest, Tahlee, Oyster Cove and Salamander Bay.

The area is often visited by Right Whales and Minke Whales but also Humpback Whales pass this area from late May to July and again from September to November with young. There are hundreds of bottlenose dolphins always playing and searching for attention around the port. There is excellent diving and snorkeling at Boondelbah Island, Little Island, Cabbage Tree Island and Broughton Island, slightly further out. In shore there is superb diving near Halifax Park and Fly Point, both muck diving paradises. You can find plenty of fish, several nice coral gardens and many scenic underwater formations.

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