Experience some of Australia’s natural beauty in Nelson Bay. Just a few hours’ drive from Sydney, this coastal town attracts visitors with untouched beaches and wildlife-spotting opportunities. Cycle along the coastline, see dolphins or dive to the ocean floor and explore marine environments.
Nelson Bay is close to two marine reserves that make great diving locations: Fly Point and Broughton Island. At Fly Point, delight in a coral maze on the ocean floor populated by rare pineapple and angel fish. For a day of fishing, hire a charter boat and trawl the bay’s deep coastal waters for tuna, marlin and swordfish.
The beach at Nelson Bay is a great place to relax and wash off the heat of a summer day. Be sure to look out for dolphins and majestic humpback whales that frequent the area in migration season. To see them up close, take a whale-watching tour, and then visit the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes in the Worimi Conservation Lands. Here, take a thrilling sandboard ride down dunes as high as 40 metres (130 feet). There are aboriginal shell middens, burial areas and camping grounds here that predate European settlement.
Near Nelson Bay, explore the natural scenery of Tomaree National Park. Climb the Tomaree Head Summit and be rewarded by panoramic views of the coastal headlands. Get a taste of history at Fort Tomaree, where you can see World War II gun emplacements. At low tide, access Fingal Island and visit the 19th-century cottage of the Point Stephens lighthouse keeper. Though dating back to 1862, this lighthouse is still standing and active.
After an active day, chill out at a beachside restaurant and enjoy a meal with a view. For a gourmand experience, try local wines and seafood dishes made with freshly caught produce.
Nelson Bay is pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Rent a bike and use special paths to get around quickly and cheaply. Alternatively, the Bay Explorer Ticket grants unlimited use of the local bus service.
