Port Stephens is on the East Coast of New South Wales, Australia and is approximately 220 kilometres North of Sydney (a 2.5 to 3 hours drive). Port Stephens is the name of the harbour (which is 2.5 times the size of Sydney Harbour and home to approximately 120 bottlenose dolphins year round), so there is not actually a town called Port Stephens and no directional signs that will say Port Stephens (look for signs that say Nelson Bay). This might sound confusing, but it is actually easy to get to Port Stephens by car, bus or plane.
Travelling from Sydney by car you just need to get onto the M1 Pacific Motorway. heading North until the motorway ends. At the end of the motorway turn right at the roundabout and then left when you see the sign ‘Raymond Terrace/Taree/North Coast/Brisbane.’ Follow the Pacific Highway through Raymond Terrace until you see a sign to Nelson Bay. Keep following the signs to Nelson Bay.
There is also a Port Stephens Coach that offers a daily service from Sydney to Port Stephens. This service departs from Eddy Avenue, Central Station (Bay 14) at 2pm every day. Click here for more information and bookings.
If you are travelling by train the closest station is Newcastle. There is then Port Stephens Coaches that offer a service from Newcastle to Port Stephens multiple times daily. Click here for information on trains and click here for the bus timetable.
Did you know that Newcastle Airport is actually in Port Stephens? Nelson Bay is 30 minutes drive from Newcastle Airport. You can fly directly to Newcastle Airport from Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra and Ballina with Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Qantaslink, Rex and Fly Pelican. At Newcastle Airport you can also arrange car hire or transfers to Port Stephens. Click here for more information.
And, when you visit Port Stephens book your accommodation with Port Stephens Accommodation. Choose from over 200 self contained properties. We have waterfront, waterviews, close to the water, family friendly, cosy for couples, pet friendly, boat friendly, resort style, executive, cheap and cheerful… something to suit your needs and budget. Use the search function above to browse and book.
