How to Spend an Indulgent Weekend Away in Port Stephens

With over 1000 square kilometres of varying topography of lush green forests, incredible sand dunes, and paradise-like beaches, Port Stephens is the perfect escape to shake off those work blues. Apart from its stunning landscapes, the city also boasts of a splendid range of human-made indulgences. From horse riding to luxurious day spas, Port Stephens sure knows how to keep everyone occupied with their favourite activities. Here’s how you can spend a great weekend in Port Stephens!

Enjoy beach life

Think complete relaxation during your getaway in Port Stephens – you wouldn’t be able to leave those picture-perfect, uncrowded beaches in Port Stephens out of the image that conjures in your mind. The salty air and the lull of the waves would transport you to a world of serenity. If you’re looking for a sheltered beach, you will find such areas close to many Port Stephens hotels. Bagnalls Beach can be found within driving distance from properties such as Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort and offers shallow waters with verdant bushland in the background. If you continue east, you will reach Dutchmans, a beautiful stretch of sands ideal to bask in the sun. The Soldiers Point boasts of several small bays offering ideal picnic spots, perfect for watching sunsets.

Let your taste buds sing

The calm waters of Port Stephens aren’t just eye-candy to look at, they’re quite rich in thriving marine life, which helps many local eateries in the area put together delicious dishes of seafood. Probably the most indulgent eatery in the area is the Rick Stein at Bannisters, which has a menu filled with inviting dishes of local seafood. Its creamy black cuttlefish risotto would make your taste buds dance with delight. A selection of sashimi, a Japanese delicacy will blow your mind with their freshness, featuring Eden kingfish, Coffs Harbour bonito, and Nelson Bay yellowfin tuna. After all these mouthwatering dishes, you can look forward to decadent chocolate fondant and even sago pudding. Terrace Bar is a great place to chill after dinner. Opened until 8:30 pm daily, it’s the ideal place to kick back and relax with a drink in hand as the sun sets over the glittering bay.

Pamper yourself

What indulgent week is ever complete without several lavishly spent hours in a day spa! Wellness Centre Port Stephens is the best place to treat yourself – acres of lush rainforests and neatly manicured hedges that sets it apart from the spas located amid a bustling metropolis, it is truly a haven for those who urgently need to get away from the everyday hustles of life. You can choose from a wide range of treatments available; from aromatherapy and reflexology to massages and reiki, you can opt for anything that caters to your moods and needs. Alternatively, you can join a yoga or pilates class, which would recharge you after the draining months of constant work.

Spend some time spotting wildlife

Although the prospect of continuous indulging in Port Stephens’ fine dining and other luxuries is quite tempting, try to spend some time with nature and summon the wildlife enthusiast within you. Since you’re near the ocean, it’s probably the first place to begin your exploration. You’ll be enthralled to learn that there are about 90-120 bottlenose dolphins within the region. Many tourists actually visit Port Stephens in the hope of witnessing these friendly creatures. If you’re lucky, you might spot a few from the beach, but for a sense of adventure, why not jump on a boat and sail to the middle of the ocean where you may even see schools of dolphins accompanying your boat.