Port Stephens is a well-known seaside holiday destination north of Newcastle and east of the Hunter Valley. With beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, it’s home to around 150 bottlenose dolphins. Popular activities in the region’s bays (principally, Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay) include whale watching, water sports, and exploring the stockton sand dunes, 32km of dunes perfect for quad biking or a 4WD adventure.