port stephens, nelson bay








port stephens is a 3-hour drive from sydney. it is acknowledged as the 'dolphin capital of australia'. it is home to about 80 bottlenose dolphins, living in family groups of 5 - 10 mammals. by far, the best way to see them is from one of the many 'dolphin watch' cruise boats.

the most wonderful thing about the dolphins is that they love to make contact with the boats. they delight in swimming alongside to ride the bow waves.

we were not so fortunate when we reached the man-made embankment at about 6.30 p.m. a couple of tourists, who had been at the embankment earlier, told us that a family of 5 dolphins had been frolicking in the water around that area at about 5.00 p.m. we stayed for about 45 minutes hoping that they would make a re-appearance or another family (of dolphins) would show up.

whale watching is another popular activity in port stephens during the months of june, july, september and october. you may be lucky to witness a humpback whale leaping out of the water and crashing back into the ocean.

if you like to be close to nature and like the nature way, you can make yourself at home at one of the nudist beaches at nelson bay. we did not dare to bare nor did we dare to stare.