1 minute read
adVenTure BoWRAL reJuVenaTion
from 2022-06 Sydney
by Indian Link
PoRT STEPHENS
A daycation for thrill seekers
Port Stephens is wonderful day trip away for those wishing to let loose and feel the thrill. Sail (or surf) the waters, conquer the desert sands, and experience the hinterland. Nelson Bay is unquestionably the hub where most day-trippers land. Get on a boat from the town’s impressive marina, and cruise the surrounding waters. Look out for Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, and migrating humpback whales between May and October. Swimming with the dolphins is described by many as an experience of a lifetime.
If the surf beckons, then some 26 beaches await your pleasure, Shoal Bay being the most popular. Enjoy a camel ride at sunset over the monumental Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, or you might prefer sandboarding, quad biking or dashing over the sandy mountains on a four-wheel drive at Anna Bay. Check out the many sites of cultural and historical significance for the indigenous Worimi people to whom the land belongs since time immemorial.
Nature’s wonder at Port Stephens extends into the stunning greenery of coastal bushlands and forests of the surrounding Tomaree National Park. These provide many exciting walking trails and hiking opportunities.
If you prefer to keep your thrills low key, then opt for a relaxing ferry ride up the Myall Lake to Tea Gardens, check out the sea giants at the Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, and visit some sick and injured koalas rescued by the locals and looked after at the Koala Sanctuary – all of which can be wonderful day-trip delights.
If you like bush walking, the Blue Mountains National Park features more than 140km of trails and walking tracks. Choose from guided walks, half and full-day walks, or wilderness hikes.
To get there, consider the M4 Motorway one way, and the picturesque Bells Line of Road the other way, stopping at Bilpin, “the fruit bowl” of the region, picking up a classic apple pie (or a meat pie if you prefer). Or try afternoon tea at the Hydro Majestic - one of Australia's most iconic historic hotels that features panoramic views overlooking the Megalong Valley.
