The two-hour trip north from Sydney to Port Stephens travels through a national park, across the mouth of the Hawkesbury River, through Australian bushland and farming land between Hexham and Port Stephens. Several beautiful bays along the way are safe for swimming. A highlight at Nelson Bay is a trip on the water to see the resident bottlenose dolphins and, in season, whales.
The "bay" is popular with the locals, many of whom have holiday homes there so the weekends and school holidays (especially the summer break in December and January) can be busy.
Day trips are available from Sydney, or it is an easy drive by car. There are many accommodation options and staying the night or a few days is suggested.
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