The small, genetically distinct population of indopacific bottlenose dolphins tursiops aduncus in port stephens, new south wales nsw, is the target of the largest dolphinwatching industry in australia and is located within the port stephens great lakes marine park that was created in 2005. Blessed with 26 sandy beaches, a vast blue bay and many beautiful inlets, port stephens is an idyllic destination north of sydney. Swim with the dolphins in port stephens, nsw, dolphin swim. Dolphin swim australias tour takes place in the open ocean of port stephens for 4 hours of adventure.
Whale watching in port stephens whale watching in port stephens humpback and southern right whales migrate along port stephens beautiful coastline between may and november, with pregnant whales heading to warmer waters to give birth to their young, before returning with their new born calves back to antarctica. Moonshadow cruises operates 3 vessels specialising in dolphin and whale watching. Spot dolphins on the port stephens ferry service from nelson bay to tea gardens the port stephens ferry service runs daily ferry transfers from nelson bay to tea gardens every day of the week. A few residents in the cove joined in the watch for 30 minutes from 9. Port stephens also supports a large dolphin and sea turtle population and supports the largest area of mangroves in new south wales. Port stephens council also known simply as port stephens is a local government area in the hunter region of new south wales, australia. Often referred to as australias blue water paradise, port stephens quiet golden beaches are surrounded by crystal clear water and neverending blue skies. Moonshadowtqc whale and dolphin watching cruises nelson. Port stephens is just over two hours from sydney and worth a visit all year round.
Dsas facebook page where guests can download or copy and share the photos. Michelles home is located in the exclusive suburb of soldiers point, port stephens. Map of port stephens, nsw 2315 port stephens council also known simply as port stephens is a local government area in the hunter region of new south wales, australia. A splendid backdrop to shoal bay is the tomaree national park, where youll find the summit walk, military heritage and koalas in the wild. Why port stephensgreat lakes marine park is unique. Oaks port stephens pacific blue resort is ideal for anyone seeking tranquil port stephens resorts near salamander. With over 140 bottlenose dolphins calling port stephens home, its no wonder these friendly locals are sighted so often.
Port stephens is the home of some of the states most beautiful sea cultures. Download port stephens great lakes world heritage catchment information sheet. Check out the wildlife at the australian reptile park, take a dolphinwatching cruise from nelson bay, experience 4wheeling and sandboarding at the sand dunes, and soak up gorgeous scenery all along the route. Oaks port stephens pacific blue resort official website port. Visit the australian reptile park, look for bottlenose dolphins on a luxury dolphin watching cruise, and go sandboarding at the stockton bight sand dunes. If you are lucky you can view them from the shore or hire a boat. The official port stephens council application tracker. Visitor guide if you visit nelson bay north of newcastle at any time of the year, you will most likely be treated to a privileged view inside the world of the bottlenose dolphin.
Port stephens is home to around 165 bottlenose dolphins, which live in the port itself. This place is perfect if you enjoy privacy, want room for the kids to play, but are still close to all things port. Our swimmers enter the water and can get up close and personal with the inquisitive dolphins of port stephens. The foreshore dinghy policy allows for the storage of dinghies on council foreshore reserves. Port stephens holiday parks by new south wales, australia from muchloved caravan and camping sites to premier selfcontained holiday cabins and safari tents, there are plenty of amazing holiday parks in port stephens. By accessing this information you request to do so under the environmental planning and assessment act 1979 nsw and the government information public access act 2009 nsw gipa as applicable and you understand that port stephens council is making this information available under the relevant legislation. How does australias largest dolphinwatching industry. Port stephens dolphin watch, reptile park and 4wd sandboarding tour. If you visit nelson bay north of newcastle at any time of the year, you will most likely be. This is a great location to walk around the local shops, have lunch at the local pub and relax.
Port stephens is the perfect destination for a day trip away from the city. Moonshadow cruises is the best major tourtransport operator in nsw winning the gold at the 2009 nsw tourism awards. Visit an awesome australian wildlife park, see playful dolphins on our dolphin cruise, explore stunning beaches, take a 4wd trip on the beach, and. Youll enjoy dolphinwatching cruises and parasailing on the sparkling blue. In fact, the system is a worldfirst developed by andrew in 2010 after years. Dolphin swim tours port stephens dolphins swim with. Tours and attractions in port stephens the retreat port. Dolphin watch is the most noteworthy highlight of port stephens. Points for observations were provided by national parks.
The journey takes approximately 1 hour each way and your time is filled with picturesque views, informative commentary and quite often dolphin watching. Port stephens on the mid north coast of nsw is the perfect place in australia to observe dolphins in the wild and is home to around 150 bottlenose dolphins with 99% success rate with dolphin sighting on all our dolphin cruises during all year round. Port stephens council happy tourism starts from trip. Dolphin swim australia is the only company in nsw with a permit to interact with dolphins in the wild in this way. Port stephens dolphin watching day tours from sydney. Discover the beautiful coastal region of port stephens on a fullday nature tour from sydney. Welcome to port stephens, its the perfect holiday destination just an easy 2 12 hours drive north of sydney with a choice of 26 beautiful beaches, crystal clear water, gourmet restaurants, boutique shopping, whale and dolphin watching and much more. The extensive and diverse estuaries and shorelines include remarkable features such as. Enjoy a dolphin watching cruise, visit the australian reptile park and experience the thrill of sandboarding on this fullday adventure to port stephens. Witness a plethora of wildlife including animals like kangaroos, koalas and giant crocodiles at the reptile park. Port stephens travel guides 2020 port stephens attractions. Dolphin house is a korean bbq restaurant that pride ourselves in traditional korean cuisine. Dolphin swim australia operates the first and only permitted wild dolphin swim, the first of its kind in the world.
Port stephens dolphin watching day tours from sydney port. Hoist a sail with blue water sailing and glide with the whales and dolphins without the motor running. From sublime natural beauty to freshly caught seafood, port stephens is a wonderful beach escape on a sparkling blue bay. This area is within 500m of port stephens finest marina, cafes and restaurants. The port stephens surf school offers surfing lessons at several beaches. It boosts 26 stunning golden beaches, national parks, diverse marine life, and is a great little sydney escape. If you store your dinghy on a council reserve it will need to be registered with port stephens council. Tours operate out of port stephens the dolphin capital of australia which is a little touch of paradise on the east coast of australia.
Fabulous scenery typified by volcanic peaks along the coastline to crystal clear bays fringed by golden sand, port stephens offers the latest in modern comforts and a wealth of attractions. Bottlenose dolphin nsw environment, energy and science. Based in nelson bay, port stephens, moonshadow cruises boasts the largest and most luxurious vessels in the bay and offer the best choice of cruises in the region. We are proud to announce that after six years of development and three years since the first application was lodged, dolphin swim australia pl, dolphcom solutions and imagine cruises port stephens can now offer an amazing interactive experience swimming with dolphins in nsw.
Port stephens is nsw premium destination for dolphin watching enthusiast, with the beautiful port stephens harbour boosting an impressive 99% success rate for spotting dolphins. Our dedication to the protection of dolphins and whales enables us to tailor a unique style of cruise. Discover the beautiful north coast region of port stephens, with its pristine waterways, golden sandy beaches, eco diverse marina and national parks travel across the iconic sydney harbour bridge and continue north to cross the hawkesbury river before arriving at the australian reptile park, loaded with unique exhibits and animals. As a result, 99% guaranteed that you will catch a sighting of these gorgeous creatures. With a choice of 3 types of dolphin watching cruises, there is one to suit everyone.
In the absence of guidelines or government regulation for a rapidly expanding industry, dolphin watching operators in port stephens, new south wales, australia, formulated and. Port stephens, an open youthful tidedominated drownedvalley estuary, is a large natural harbour of approximately 4 square kilometres 52 sq mi located in the hunter region of new south wales, australia port stephens lies within the port stephensgreat lakes marine park and is situated about 160 kilometres 99 mi northeast of sydney. For a truly once in a lifetime opportunity you can swim with wild dolphins in the open ocean and from may to november, see the magnificent humpback whales up close and personal during the annual migration season between june and november on a whale watching cruise or from. Port stephens koala and dolphin watch home facebook. Ombrain, athel, 19011985 read the full record details for photograph. The marine park contains a diverse range of habitats, including beaches, seagrass beds, mangroves, saltmarsh and open waters, which all support distinct groups of plants and animals. Also within easy walking distance of bannisters, port stephens. Seasons run from the first weekend in september until the last weekend in may.
Port stephens area new south wales australias guide. Name portstephens bottlenosedolphinsvisitorguide110285. Cruise out of the marina in search for pods of bottlenose dolphins see views of the local beaches, dramatic headlands and unspoiled waterways. Port stephens lies within the port stephensgreat lakes marine park and is situated about 160 kilometres 99 mi northeast of sydney.
Relax on beautiful sandy beaches, meet the resident bottlenose dolphins, enjoy fun water sports, explore giant sand dunes and savour delicious waterfront places to eat home to more than 100 dolphins, the pristine inlet in the vast port stephensgreat. Moonshadow tqc cruises and imagine cruises offer both whale and dolphin cruises, as well as sunset dinner cruises and snorkelling tours in the calm blue waters. Port stephens great lakes marine park nsw department of. With over 140 bottlenose dolphins calling port stephens home, its no wonder. May 01, 2008 dolphin, whale watch tours and private charter cruises. Alternatively, join a tour which takes you around the port dolphin watching. We are passionate about port stephens and its wildlife and love to share it with our guests each day. Enjoy the natural beauty of port stephens, join the dolphin watch cruise, visit the breathtaking sand dunes and go sandboarding.
This full day tour from sydney visits the central coast including reptile park, luxury dolphin watching trip with boom net, 4wd tour and sandboarding adventure. Private guided premium tour to port stephens, dolphin. Enjoy a trip to australias north coast, traveling to port stephens and the stockton bight sand dunes, on a fullday guided tour from sydney. Port stephens, an open youthful tidedominated drownedvalley estuary, is a large natural. Approximately 100 bottlenose dolphins live in the waters of port stephens. The effects of this industry have been identified as of significant management. Explore nelson bay marina on arrival at port stephens and enjoy lunch own expense before boarding the dolphin watching cruise. Port stephens, the dolphin capital of australia, is just 2. You can swim with dolphins in port stephens nsw thanks to dolphin swim. Marine biodiversity is the variety of animals, plants and habitats found in the marine estate and conserving marine biodiversity is a fundamental part of keeping the estuaries and oceans of nsw healthy and productive into the future.
The abundance of marine life here makes it the ideal location to spend some time on the water in search of dolphins and other amazing aquatic creatures. Port stephensgreat lakes marine park extends from cape hawke near forster south to birubi beach at the northern end of stockton beach. Dolphin leaping at port stephens, nsw living histories. Swim with dolphins port stephens nsw dolphin swim australia. Swim with dolphins port stephens nsw when is this experience available. Name portstephensbottlenosedolphinsvisitorguide110285. Port stephens bottlenose dolphins page 5 of 9 geting to knot w the port stephens dolphins three different types or species of dolphins inhabit the waters in and around port stephens. It is home to around 150 bottlenose dolphins and therefore called the dolphin capital of australia.
Specialising in dolphin watching, whale watching and twilight dinner cruises we also feature weddings, private charters, corporate team building and schools educational programs. The marine park is approximately 980 km 2 and includes offshore waters to the three nautical mile limit of nsw waters. Port stephens, an open youthful tidedominated drownedvalley estuary, is a large natural harbour of approximately 4 square kilometres 52 sq mi located in the hunter region of new south wales, australia. We are a family friendly restaurant overlooking the waters of nelson bay. Hotels in port stephens, australia the best hotels. The most common dolphin species within port stephens and just outside the heads is the indopacific bottlenose dolphin tursiops aduncus. Port stephens bottlenose dolphins home nsw environment. The area is just north of newcastle and is adjacent to the pacific highway which runs through raymond terrace, the largest town and council seat. Whale encounter and dolphin swim in port stephens, australia. Private guided premium tour to port stephens, dolphinwhales.
Several whale and dolphin cruises depart from the nelson bay marina. The dolphins come so close to the swimmers it is like being a part of their pod. Dolphin watch cruise is the best part of port stephens day tour in this part of port stephens tours, you will hop on board for spotting dolphins. Cruise out onto the bay to enjoy a dolphin watch with resident bottlenose dolphins, or even go whale watching.
Dolphin watching port stephens cruise port stephens. Dolphin swim australia offers the only permitted wild dolphin swim in nsw and the first swim of its kind in the world. The area is famous for its resident bottlenose dolphins, crystalclear waters and towering sand dunes. This daily service takes you across the bay to seaside town of tea gardens. Marine protected areas nsw department of primary industries. Nov 09, 2016 whale encounter and dolphin swim in port stephens, australia. Discover port stephens wonderful beaches and resident wild dolphins.
Dolphin, whale watch tours and private charter cruises. We provide the highest quality meats, authentic korean food along with various tasty side dishes. The ferry also is a great way to see the dolphins of port stephens as they swim along side the ferry. By accessing this information you request to do so under the environmental planning and assessment act 1979 nsw and the government information public access act 2009 nsw gipa as applicable and you understand that port stephens council is making this information available under the. Doplhin watch results for port stephens have been completed. Little is known about the common dolphin population off port stephens, so join as we commence the most comprehensive.
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