Nelson Bay
Major township servicing the smaller townships around the coast of Port Stephens.
Nelson Bay is a coastal resort town of 5230 persons located just inside the mouth of Port Stephens, a large natural harbour. Despite its growing popularity the town, treads a sensible line between tourism and charm. Nelson Bay, the largest town of the Port Stephens area, is 223 km north of Sydney via the Pacific Highway, 69 km from Newcastle by road and 18 m above sea-level.
The origin of the town's name is not known. It may have derived from the boat the Lady Nelson used by Governor Macquarie in 1812 when he came to visit the Port with an eye to establishing a settlement which never eventuated. Another contender is Admiral Horatio Nelson.
A group of Chinese fishermen established a base here early in the 19th century. They cured their catch and sent it back to China and to Chinese merchants in Sydney and Melbourne. They later sent supplies to the goldfields.
The first survey of Nelson Bay was carried out in 1874. A post office and school were established in 1883. By 1886 there were about 30 residents. The villagers led a rather peaceful life based around fishing (still important to the local economy) until developers arrived in the late 1960s.
Today Nelson Bay has everything the visitor could want as far as facilities and aquatic recreation goes.
Things to see:
Nelson Bay Visitors Centre
The visitors' centre is located under the pedestrian footbridge in Victoria Parade, the main street along the town's beachfront. They are well-organised and helpful, have a wide range of pamphlets on things to see and, most helpfully, have rationalised an array of cruises into one exhaustive and easy-to-follow chart. These outings take in the Port, the Myall River, the Myall Lakes and the offshore islands. The centre has fishing guides and tide charts and can tell you about the fishing tournaments which are held in February-March. They also have a booklet with maps called "Bushwalks Around Port Stephens". Another pamphlet outlines a self-guided walk through the town's heritage sites although it is mostly a matter of "used to be here".
Cruises
There are dolphin and whale-watching cruises, deep-sea and big-game fishing cruises, yacht tours and a ferry across to Tea Gardens. Humpback whales pass by the coast between September and November headed for the Antarctic and can also be seen returning to the tropics between late May and July. Other migrants include right whales and minke whales.
Private charters and dive charters are available as well as diving lessons and equipment. There are a number of offshore wrecks to explore, as well as Broughton Island, a noted diving, fishing and bushwalking location where there is camping, a toilet, an emergency radio and some drinking water. The waters off Halifax Park and Fly Point are classified as an aquatic reserve and are the two best-known and most frequented diving locations at Port Stephens. They are said to be particularly rewarding at a depth of 10 m.
Houseboats, catamarans, runabouts and power boats can be hired plus the appropriate equipment for parasailing, jet-skiing and waterskiing.
Halifax Park and the Marina
Behind the visitors' centre is Halifax Park, an attractive patch of greenery that is especially appealing when lit up at night. Along the shore is a veritable city of boats docked in the harbour, as well as a marina, restaurants and other shops. If you look due west you will see the string of lights which indicates Soldiers Point stretching out almost to the northern shore of the port.
There is a bicycle track which runs through Halifax Park, hugging the shoreline and following it west to the next beach at Dutchmans Bay. This is a very white, sandy and attractive beach surrounded by casuarina and eucalypt. It is a rather secluded spot and the waters are gentle making it a popular beach with families. There is a pleasant park adjacent with children's play facilities.
Nelson Head
At the eastern end of Nelson Bay is an elevated piece of land known as Nelson Head which separates Little Nelson Beach to the west from Shoal Bay to the east: the latter being another popular spot for holidaymakers. On Nelson Head sits the Inner Lighthouse, dating from 1872 but still operating and classified by the National Trust. Originally lit by three kerosene lamps electric lights were installed in 1946. The system was recently automated. The cottage was built in 1875. This small cluster of buildings incorporates a modest historical display. There are also films, panoramic views, a tea room and a gift shop, tel: (02) 4984 2505.
Fly Point
Fly Point is a nautical term meaning safe anchorage with protection from winds. This was the site of the curing operations of the Chinese, their burial site, the area's first school, the original customs building and the location of an armed forces personnel and training base during World War II. 22 000 Australian and American troops trained here in ship-to-shore invasions. The area was also heavily fortified against prospective Japanese attack aimed at the industry of Newcastle, the aerodrome at Williamtown and the Tomago water supply.
Little Nelson Beach
Little Nelson Beach has a car park, a large boat ramp, a wharf and a children's play area. This is a very pretty spot. In the clearing over the road from the picnic and play area are several Aboriginal canoe trees - trees which, in the distant past, had a large chunk of bark carved out and lifted off in the rough shape of a dugout. The cuts are still plainly visible and are surviving remnants of the land's occupation by the Worimi Aborigines prior to European settlement.
The dense bushland area behind this small beach (the area adjacent the enormous anchor) is a flora reserve. You will see another car park off Dixon Drive just up the hill and a brick building called the Ngioka Centre which is a kind of visitors' centre attached to the reserve.
Gan Gan Lookout
1.5 km south-west of the city centre along Stockton Rd is the turnoff to the right (signposted on your left) along Lily Hill Rd which will take you up to the Gan Gan Lookout car park. Follow the path around the Telstra buildings to the viewing platform. This is truly one of the highlights of the area. The panorama is breathtaking, especially at dusk. It is possible to look south to the opposite side of the peninsula, south-west down to the stacks of Newcastle and the cargo vessels in its harbour, west to the mountain boundary, north-west over Soldiers Point, spanning eastwards over Hawks Nest, the two gigantic headlands that loom over the Port's entrance, Nelson Head and Nelson Bay. Lily Hill Rd is named after the abundance of enormous Gymea lilies to be found at the top the hill. The stalks, which grow to 5 metres, can be eaten and were used by the Aborigines for spears.
Salamander Bay
1.7 km further south along Nelson Bay Road is a roundabout. A right turn will take you along Salamander Way towards Salamander Bay. The entry to the Toboggan Run complex lies just 100 m along this road (to the right). This is an ideal outing for children. There is a winding 700-m downhill toboggan track with automatic up-hill tow, mini-golf, radio-controlled boats, video games, table games, canoe rides, plaster painting, Krazy Kars and indoor rock climbing. It is open seven days a week, tel: (02) 4984 1022, or (018) 681 764.
Additional Information
There are a number of ways to get around Port Stephens: the Bay Explorer Ticket facilitates exploration on the local bus service, there is the aforementioned network of cycleways and the passenger ferry service which runs across to Tea Gardens. Horizon Safaris offer 6WD excursions around the area, tel: (02) 4982 6328 or (018) 681 600. The visitors' centre also has an access guide for those with mobility restrictions.
Nelson Bay also hosts several annual maritime events: the Blessing of the Fleet in January, the Regional Boat Show in November and the weigh-ins of the Port Stephens Game fishing Competition in February.
Tourist Information
Port Stephens Visitors' Centre
Victoria Parade
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1579
Facsimile: (02) 4984 1855
Motels
Aloha Villa Motel
30 Shoal Bay Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 2523
Facsimile: (02) 4984 1245
Rating: ***1/2
Central Motel
Cnr Government Rd & Church St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 3393
Facsimile: (02) 4981 5006
Rating: ***1/2
Dolphins Motel
Dixon Dve
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1176
Facsimile: (02) 4981 1176
Rating: ***
Marlin Motel
Shoal Bay Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1036
Facsimile: (02) 4981 4722
Rating: ***
Nelson Lodge Motel
Government Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1705
Facsimile: (02) 4981 4785
Rating: ***1/2
Nelson Towers Motel
71A Victoria Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 1000
Facsimile: (02) 4984 1020
Rating: ***1/2
Peninsula Motor Inn
52 Shoal Bay Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 3666
Facsimile: (02) 4981 1373
Rating: ***1/2
Peppers Anchorage Port Stephens
Corlette Point Rd Corlette
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 2555, 1800 809 142
Facsimile: (02) 4984 0300
Rating: ****1/2
Port Stephens Motor Lodge
Cnr Magnus & Fingal Sts
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 3366
Facsimile: (02) 4984 1655
Rating: ***
Samurai Beach Resort
288 Gan Gan Rd Anna Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4982 2000
Facsimile: (02) 4982 2107
Rating: ****
Sandypoint Motor Lodge
19-21 Sandypoint Rd Corlette
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1315
Westbury's Marina Resort
33 Magnus St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 4400, 1800 659 949
Facsimile: (02) 4981 1513
Rating: ***1/2
Hotels
Birubi Tavern
561 Gan Gan Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4982 1711
Seabreeze Hotel
1 Laman St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1511
Facsimile: (02) 4981 1085
Rating: **
Resorts
Shoal Bay Resort and Spa
Shoal Bay Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: 1800 18 18 10
Rating: ****1/2
Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
A Bay View House
17 Mulubinda Pde Corlette
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 4448
Facsimile: (02) 4984 4448
Rating: ****1/2
Anne's Waterfront Haven Bed & Breakfast
44a Danalene Pde Corlette
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 1178
Facsimile: (02) 4984 1178
Rating: ****1/2
Bays Holiday Park and B & B Taylors Beach
23 Port Stephens Dve Ana Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2316
Telephone: (02) 4982 1438
Facsimile: (02) 4982 1438
Beachside Bed & Breakfast
26 fitzroy St Ana Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2316
Telephone: (02) 4982 1399
Facsimile: (02) 4982 1399
Rating: ***1/2
Birubi Beach Luxury Accommodation
39 Ocean Ave Ana Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2316
Telephone: (02) 4982 1520
Facsimile: (02) 4982 1510
Rating: ****1/2
Bonito Bed & Breakfast
50 Bonito St Corlette
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 5891
Facsimile: (02) 4981 5891
Rating: ****1/2
Clydesdale Bed & Breakfast
717a Gan Gan Rd Ana Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2316
Telephone: (02) 4982 1246
Rating: ****
Corlette Heights Bed & Breakfast
44 The Peninsula Corlette
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 9539
Facsimile: (02) 4984 9540
Rating: ****1/2
Croft Haven Bed & Breakfast
202 Salamander Way
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 1799
Facsimile: (02) 4984 1799
Rating: ****
Nelson Bay Bed & Breakfast
81 Stockton St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 3655
Rating: ****
Nelson Bay Getaway
31 Thurlow St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 4949
Rating: ****1/2
Russell House Nelson Bay
114 Stockton St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 4246
Facsimile: (02) 4984 3164
Rating: ****1/2
Wisteria Cottage Guesthouse
35 Thurlow Ave
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 3080
Apartments
Albacore Holiday Apartments
Ondine Cl.
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1577
Bay Parklands Holiday Apartments
Gowrie Ave
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1999
Rating: ***1/2
Beaches Serviced Apartments
12 Gowrie Ave
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 3255
Facsimile: (02) 4984 3399
Email: beaches@nelsonbay.com
Rating: ****1/2
Carindale
Cnr Dowling & Fingal Sts
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1955
Facsimile: (02) 4981 1256
Rating: ***
Casablanca at Little Beach
Cnr Intrepid & Gowrie Ave
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 9100
Rating: ****1/2
Dutchies Motor Lodge
Christmas Bush Ave Dutchmans Beach
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1644
Rating: **
Edgewater Holiday Apartments
Cnr Magnus St & Shoal Bay Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1577
Fiddlers Green Holiday Apartments
Magnus St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1577
Florentine
11 Columbia Sl
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1955
Facsimile: (02) 4984 1256
Rating: ***1/2
Heath Place Holiday Apartments
28 Achilles St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1093
Intrepid Holiday Units
Intrepid Cl.
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1999
Facsimile: (02) 4981 1256
Rating: ***
Kiah Holiday Apartments
Nash Lane
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1577
Lellani Haciendas
Gowrie Ave
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 3304
Facsimile: (02) 4984 1793
Rating: ***1/2
Luskin Lodge Holiday Apartments
29 Wheatherley Cl.
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1999
Rating: ***
Magnus Gardens Holiday Apartments
Magnus St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1577
Mistral Court Holiday Apartments
Mistral Close
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1955
Rating: ***
Nelson Bay Getaway Holiday House
29 Thurlow Ave
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 4949
Rating: ***
Neson Bay Breeze Resort
1 Trafalgar St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 3199, 1800 113 200
Facsimile: (02) 4984 9875
Rating: ****
O'Carrollyns
36 Eucalyptus Dve One Mile Beach
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4982 2801
Facsimile: (02) 4982 2802
Rating: ***
Portside Holiday Apartments
Donald St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1577
Promenade Holiday Apartments
Intrepid Cl.
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1999
Quarterdeck Holiday Apartments
Magnus St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1577
Radburn
17 Ondine Cl
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1999
Facsimile: (02) 4981 1256
Rating: ***1/2
Sheashells
10/21 Magnus St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 2000
Facsimile: (02) 4984 2001
Rating: ****
Shipmates Holiday Apartments
Christmas Bush Ave
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1577
Skyline Holiday Apartments
Thurlow Ave
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1577
Rating: ***
The Helm Holiday Apartments
22 Voyager Cl.
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1999
The Landmark Nelson Bay
Dowling St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 4633
Facsimile: (02) 4984 4677
Rating: ****1/2
The Poplars Holiday Apartments
Magnus St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1577
Tradewinds Holiday Apartments
110 Victoria Pde
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1999
Yachtsmans Rest
37 Victoria Pde One Mile Beach
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1999
Facsimile: (02) 4984 1256
Rating: ***
Yarramundi Holiday Apartments
Magnus St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1577
Holiday Homes & Units
Breakers Holiday Apartments
11 Bent St Fingal Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4933 1018
Oceanfront Holiday Accommodation
15 Robinson St Ana Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2316
Telephone: (02) 4982 1548
Facsimile: (02) 4982 2685
Rating: **1/2
Taroonga Holiday Units
18 Garuwa St Fingal Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 1120
Rating: **
The Dunes Holiday Units
38 Marine Dve Fingal Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1999
Rating: ***
Cottages & Cabins
Retreat Port Stephens
266 Nelson Bay Rd Ana Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2316
Telephone: (02) 4982 1244
Facsimile: (02) 4982 2880
Rating: ***
Caravan Parks
Bays Holiday Park and B & B Taylors Beach
23 Port Stephens Dve Ana Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2316
Telephone: (02) 4982 1438
Facsimile: (02) 4982 1438
Rating: ***
Emerald Tiki Village
264 Nelson Bay Rd Anna Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4982 1422
Fingal Bay Caravan Park
Marine Dve Fingal Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1473
Facsimile: (02) 4984 2227
Rating: ***1/2
Fingal bay Holiday Park
Fingal Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1473
Facsimile: (02) 4984 2227
Rating: ***1/2
Island Caravan Village
Fenningham's Island Rd Ana Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2316
Telephone: (02) 4982 1207
Facsimile: (02) 4982 1207
Middle Rock Caravan Park
784 Gan Gan Rd Ana Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2316
Telephone: (02) 4982 1162
Facsimile: (02) 4982 1874
Rating: ***1/2
One Mile Beach Holiday Park
269 Gan Gan Rd Ana Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2316
Telephone: (02) 4982 1112
Facsimile: (02) 4982 2837
Rating: ****1/2
Port Stephens Holiday Park
Fleet St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4982 7434
Sandfort Caravan Park
One Mile Beach Anna Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4982 1112
Sea Winds - The Best - Caravan Park
Soldiers Point Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4982 1316
Shoal Bay Holiday Park
Shoal Bay Rd Shoal Bay
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1427
Facsimile: (02) 4984 3411
Rating: ***1/2
Soldiers Point Caravan Park
Soldiers Point
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4982 7237
Water Wonderland Holiday Village
Soldiers Point Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4982 7300
Halifax Caravan Park
Beach Rd Little Beach
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1522
Facsimile: (02) 4984 9099
Rating: ****
Houseboats
Splinters Cruiser - The Anchorage
Peppers Anchorage
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 6574 7118
Facsimile: (02) 6574 7280
Rating: ****1/2
Restaurants
Bunkers Bistro
Dowling St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 4256
Chez Jules
Stockton St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 4500
Courtyard Garden
Shop 13 Nelson Towers Arc.
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 2885
Depz Restaurant
128 Magnus St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 1500
Dolphin Explorer
Victoria Pde
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 3440
Don Beppino Pizza
30 Donald St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 3232
Jumbo Palace Restaurant
6 Stockton St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 9888
Ketch's Restaurant
33 Magnus St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 4400
Marina Resort
33 Magnus St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 4400
Mona Lisa Italian Restaurant
52 Shoal Bay Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 2233
Nelson Bay Bowling Club
Stockton St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1272
Nelson Bay Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant
Teramby Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 2977
Nelson Bay RSL Club
Shoal Bay Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1344
Nelson Lodge Motel Restaurant
Government Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1705
Ocean Pearl Restaurant
Yacaaba St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 2253
Peninsula Motor Inn Restaurant
52 Shoal Bay Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 3666
Red Bellies Restaurant
1 Government Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1705
Scales Restaurant
106 Magnus St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 2699
Seawife at the Bay, Nelson Bay Golf Club
Dowling St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 4256
Shoal Bay Resort and Spa
Shoal Bay Rd
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4981 1555
The Greek Village Restaurant
Cnr Stckton & Victoria Rds
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 3388
Zest Restaurant
16 Stockton St
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Telephone: (02) 4984 2211
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