How To Spend 24 Hours In Port Stephens Australia

If you’re looking for a coastal weekend trip near Newcastle, look no further than Port Stephens. Here are Culture Trip’s recommendations for how to spend 24 hours in this picturesque area.

Port Stephens has long been an annual holiday destination for nearby Newcastle locals, being just under an hour’s drive away and packed with picturesque quiet beaches. It’s the perfect location for those seeking a sunny and sandy escape from reality, even for just a day. A number of exciting new dining spots have opened in recent years, so it’s no wonder people are coming from further afield to seek out slow-paced warm weekends with good food and friends. Here are our recommendations for how to spend 24 hours in Port Stephens.

The charm of Port Stephens makes it an ideal destination for a short break

Morning

Start the day with breakfast at the Home Interior In House Kitchen in Nelson Bay, where you can combine a good breakfast with Allpress coffee and an aesthetically pleasing setting for the perfect morning. The Home Interior’s In House Kitchen serves up something for everyone with Aussie staples like bacon, eggs, avocado on toast and other colourful vegetarian options on offer. After brekkie, browse their collection of homewares and gifts. Next, jump in your car and drive five minutes down the road to Shoal Bay.

Pro tip: Parking is available at the Tomaree Headland car park and Zenith Beach car park.

Below the mountain you can cool off in the turquoise water at Shoal Bay’s Zenith beach after your hike and relax. Set up a beach umbrella and towel, take out a book and settle in. For those looking for more action, take to the water on your surfboard.

Pro tip: Be aware of rips and dangerous waves. If you’re travelling with small children or not a confident swimmer, there’s calm water Shoal Bay Beach just down the road.

Relax at the beaches around Port Stephens

Afternoon

Starting to get hungry? Head back down the road to Shoal Bay Country Club for lunch. There are several dining spaces you can choose from but the outdoor deck upstairs is recommended for the view and fresh air. Lounge on colourful furniture and look over the bay while you indulge in an Aperol Spritz and eat fresh seafood, woodfired pizzas and salads.

Pro tip: on weekends, arrive by midday or shortly after to get a table with a view on the upper deck.

Jump back into the car (or take a taxi) and have your designated driver head to Soldiers Point about 20 minutes away, choosing the coastal route to take in the sights of Nelson’s Bay and Salamander Bay. The Terrace Bar at Bannisters is set around an infinity pool and overlooks the sea. It’s time to kick back, cocktail in hand, and watch the sunset.

Admire Soldiers Point with a drink in hand

Evening

You don’t have to go far for dinner. Make your way into Rick Stein’s restaurant at Bannisters Port Stephens. It’s all about fresh seafood (vegetarian options available), good wine and waterfront views at the renowned British chef’s North Coast eatery. The interiors of the restaurant are beautifully designed, so whether you’re outside or in, there’s plenty to admire.

Pro tip: make a reservation online to secure your table.

Chef Rick Stein’s Bannisters restaurant is the place for exceptional seafood

Bannisters and the Shoal Bay Country Club are great options for accommodation, but for those travelling in groups or looking for a private villa, Salt in Shoal Bay is an ideal spot to settle in for the evening. The luxury beach house is located right on the shore and has large windows which overlook the bay, Mount Tomaree and the Yacaaba headland.

Pro tip: Salt has private parking available, so you can leave your car here while you’re exploring Shoal Bay.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.