Things To Do in Port Stephens

Several operators offer dolphin- and whale-watching cruises. Some of the best are aboard the Imagine (tel. 02/4984 9000; www.imaginecruises.com.au), a 15m (49-ft.) catamaran operated by Frank Future and Yves Papin, two real characters. They offer a daily Island Discovery trip that includes dolphin-watching and a trip around the offshore islands. The 4-hour cruise departs from D'Albora Marina in Nelson Bay from Thursday to Sunday at 12:30pm from mid-December to March only. It costs A$65 for adults, A$25 for children 1 to 17, and A$145 for families, including lunch. Three-hour whale-watching tours cost the same and operate twice-daily during the season. A 2-hour dolphin-watching cruise operates two or three times every day between mid-November and the end of May. It costs A$30 for adults, A$15 for children ages 1 to 14, and A$72 for families. If you happen to be around on the weekend nearest a full moon, ask about overnight Full Moon Tours. For something really special, go on a Swim with Dolphins Tour. This operates most weekends all year round and costs A$229. You can just watch the action for A$60 (minimum age of 12).

Several other operators offer good dolphin-watching tours, including Moonshadow Cruises (tel. 02/4984 9388; www.moonshadow.com.au). This company also offers lunch and dinner cruises, as well as opportunities to sand board at Stockton Sand Dunes (A$23 adults, A$18 children; A$66 family), or take a 4-wheel-drive tour of the sand dunes (A$48 adults, A$28 children, A$126 family), which also includes sand boarding.

The Port Stephens Ferry Service (tel. 02/4984 1262) operates delightful ferry journeys between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens township several times a day. It takes 1 hour each way and you're likely to spot dolphins. Two-way cruises cost A$20 for adults, A$10 for children 5 to 17, and A$50 for families.

Through the Dunes on Horseback

You can ride a horse through the dunes with Sahara Horse Trails (tel. 02/4981 9077; www.saharatrails.com). The barn is on Port Stephens Road, before you reach Nelson Bay. Sahara Trails also has accommodations options. A 1-hour trip costs A$50, and a half-day beach and dune excursion is A$120. There are other options too. Bookings required 1 day in advance.