The protected waters of Shoal Bay are home to an iconic jetty where 'jetty jumping' and swimming is popular with locals and tourists alike. It is the nearby summit of Tomaree Headland however that is the first and foremost on today's list.
The headland is part of the Tomaree National Park and there are a number of walking trails to explore and the summit trail to climb. The headland offers spectacular views of the coastline and a selfie post on Instagram seems to be a modern day must on the bucket list for every traveller to the region.
Home to some of the largest coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the few beaches on the East Coast where the sun sets over the water.
Birubi Beach can be accessed by 4WD and is an extremely popular destination for an off road adventure. The beach offers exceptional fishing and the northern end blows offshore in the North Easterly seabreeze which makes it a popular surf break in the summer months. Camel rides are operated year round from the lower carpark at the base of the headland and below the Birubi Point S.L.S.C.
The famous 'Fingal Spit' is a shifting sand bar that comes and goes over time. When present it connects the mainland to Fingal Island. This sand spit enables access to the walking trails through the Tomaree National Park that lead to the Fingal Lighthouse and the ruins of the former caretaker's cottage.
Crossing the Fingal Spit can be dangerous and should only be attempted when there is sufficient sand in place and adequate time for a return trip, the best times to cross are on the bottom end of a new moon tide or full moon tide.
The waters at fly point in Nelson Bay are teaming with fish, turtles, sponges and an abundance of aquatic life. The area is part of the Port Stephens and Great Lakes Marine Park and offers amazing snorkeling and world class shore dives.
Best on a high tide when schools of bream, whiting and luderick gather in large numbers over the shallow waters. An incredible experience for children that can be enhanced by taking in a slice of bread to feed the fish.
Towering high above the landscape of Port Stephens, Gan Gan Lookout offers an array of vantage points and amazing views in all directions. It can be reached by car which makes it easily accessible to almost everyone.
Looking south there is a clear view of Samurai and One Mile Beaches. To the West the upper waters of the estuary behind Soldiers Point. To the North there is a view of Broughton Island and even to the Seal Rocks lighthouse on a clear day. To the East lays the iconic headlands of Tomaree and Yacaaba. There is limited parking available at the summit and in peak periods it can become busy, any efforts though are well rewarded.
