Things to Do in Port Stephens
From calm beaches and dolphin cruises to towering sand dunes, coastal walks and family adventures, Port Stephens is made for days outdoors.
Modern Beach Haven puts you within easy reach of some of the region’s best-known experiences — whether you want to spend the morning by the water, climb to a spectacular lookout, explore the dunes or simply discover somewhere new with the family.
This is our guide to some of the best things to see and do during your stay.
Explore Port Stephens Your Way
Beach days, family adventures, beautiful walks, local food or a ready-made weekend plan — jump straight to what sounds good.
Beach Days & Beautiful Bays
Four of our favourite places to spend a day by the water.
Corlette Beach
A quieter, sheltered beach for relaxed swims, waterfront walks and an easy afternoon by the bay.
Shoal Bay Beach
Clear, calm water and a beautiful bay setting make this a favourite for swimming, paddling and slow beach days.
Fingal Bay Beach
A relaxed beach with picnic and BBQ facilities, lookouts and nearby places to stop for something to eat.
Birubi Beach
Pair a beach day with Port Stephens’ famous dunes, camel rides, sand adventures and sweeping coastal views.
Family Adventures in Port Stephens
When everyone is ready for a little adventure, these are some of our favourite ways to experience Port Stephens together.
Dolphins on the Bay ↗
Head to Nelson Bay and cruise the waters of Port Stephens in search of the resident bottlenose dolphins.
Explore the Dunes
Discover the spectacular Worimi sand dunes with sandboarding, 4WD adventures, quad biking or a camel ride.
Toboggan Hill Park
An easy family outing with the famous toboggan run plus activities including mini golf, climbing and plenty of ways to burn off energy.
Meet the Wildlife
Spend a few hours at Oakvale Wildlife Park meeting Australian wildlife and farm animals in its open grounds.
Walks, Lookouts & Nature
From an iconic summit walk to easy panoramic lookouts, these are some of the best ways to see Port Stephens from a different angle.
Tomaree Head Summit Walk
A short but challenging climb rewarded with sweeping views over Port Stephens, Shoal Bay and the coastline beyond.
Gan Gan Hill Lookout
Drive up for panoramic views across Nelson Bay and the wider Port Stephens region — a great option when you want the view without a long hike.
Tomaree Coastal Walk
Explore shorter sections or make a bigger day of the connected coastal walk through beaches, headlands and national park scenery.
Where to Eat & Unwind
From an easy morning coffee to dinner by the water, here are a few local places to explore during your Port Stephens stay.
SATRA Coffee Co.
A convenient Salamander Bay stop when the day needs to begin with a good coffee.
The Buoys
A relaxed Nelson Bay option to work into a day around the marina, shops and waterfront.
Little Beach Boathouse
Make an evening of it with dinner near the water in Nelson Bay.
Restaurant 2317
Head towards Soldiers Point when you want to slow the evening down and enjoy a more leisurely meal.
Opening days and hours can change, so check directly with venues before heading out.
If You Have 3 Days in Port Stephens…
A relaxed little itinerary balancing the Port Stephens must-dos with plenty of time to actually enjoy the holiday house.
Arrive & Exhale
Settle into Modern Beach Haven, then keep the first day deliberately easy. Wander down towards Corlette Beach, come home for a swim, spa or sauna, and finish the evening around Soldiers Point for sunset and dinner.
The Classic Port Stephens Day
Start early with the Tomaree Head Summit Walk, then slow things down at Shoal Bay for the beach and lunch. Spend the afternoon around Nelson Bay and add a dolphin cruise before choosing somewhere along the waterfront for dinner.
Prefer an easier day? Swap the summit walk for Gan Gan Hill Lookout.
Dunes, Adventure & One Last Swim
Head towards Birubi Beach and the spectacular Worimi sand dunes. Choose your kind of adventure — sandboarding, a 4WD experience, quad biking or a camel ride — then keep the rest of the afternoon flexible. Come back to Modern Beach Haven for one last swim and a relaxed evening at the house.
Make It Your Own
Slow it down, swap in a wildlife day or Toboggan Hill, stay longer at the beach — or simply decide the pool looks too inviting to leave.
Make Modern Beach Haven Your Base
Spend the day exploring Port Stephens, then come home to your own space to slow down — swim in the heated pool, unwind in the spa and sauna, share dinner together and plan tomorrow.
Choose your dates below and start planning your Port Stephens escape.