What a place , just short trip away from Sydney and one can enjoy scenery , nature and great holiday life style . Locals await the visitors : swim with dolphins , walk with koalas and run with rabbits in between the joys of great
meals serving local produce and sea foods to be complimented with nearby vineyards of Hunter Valley .
Port Stephens just like most of great places in Australia and around the world being true jewel of mid coast of New south Wales , has also 10 things , maybe
not must to do, but definitely to consider for enjoyment . So, number one are : 1.Great waterways and water playgrounds with golden sand beaches around the calm bay of Port Stephens where dolphins greet kayakers or ferry riders to Tea Gardens . There is plenty of surfing fun at the ocean beaches . 2.Warimi conservation lands with the
Stockton Bight huge sand dunes provide lots of fun including camel rides by the ocean .3.Snorkling on the reefs of the Port Stephens Bay. 4. Nelson Head Heritage Lighthouse where one learns lots of history of the area which was already sighted by Captain Cook in 1770
and named in honour of Sir Phillip Stephens Secretary of Admiralty . 5.Tomaree Headland , which allows after ½ hour climb amazing vista of the area. The views are
scenic sometimes providing opportunity to see in the bush koalas, lizards or dolphins catching surf at the Zenith Ocean beach .
6.Gan Gan lookout which presents pretty view on Nelson Bay and other places around the Bay . 7.Boat to Tea Gardens, little historical Ferry is a must as one can visit other side of the bay with Tea Gardens being starting point to Mayall river and also Hawks Nest attractively positioned by the ocean beach.
On the way one sees playing and fishing dolphins . Also diving for fish or elegantly drying its wings on oyster beds cormorants and high above soaring sea eagles are some of great experiences . 8. Trying local foods and produce at the elegant restaurants and eateries is fun for the
pallet .9.Surrounding Islands, like Cabbage and Broughton can be base for rewarding fishing. 10. And Bushwalking can be truly joy when one beside seeing nice flora of the area one sees also walking koala who searches for his comfortable special tree to feed on .
This place of amazing beauty , tranquility has very interesting history related to early days of Colony and was for the first time visited by convict escapees who on the way to Java sailed here in 1790 and later on in 1791 these welcoming water were visited by the “The Salamander” the convicts transport ship . In XIX century at Port Stephens , at early years some Chinese fishermen started to operate fishing and drying and smoking fish for shipment to China .The 1800’s Pt. Stephens witnessed beginning of its proper development
into center of area with coal mining in Tomago , lime burning also gold search and early stage of timber industry . In 1942, as the WWII Pacific “ war theatre “ involved Australia , 20 thousands American troops landed here and were training for the battle against Japanese aggressor . So the place has all aspects of attractions to satisfy anyone and any form of travel fun . Port Stephens can be reached from Sydney by rented car , train or bus using the route to Newcastle and next to the destination of great experience . Sydney can be reached on other hand from any world corner by use of Singapore Airlines , Qantas Airways and also their partner airline LOT Polish Airlines.
December 05 , 2012 WMIG
Official Pt. Stephens site:
Mitch Godziemba Swiat
mitchgodziemba