Marina and shops at Nelson Bay

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 Lighthouse Museum

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.

View from Nelson Head lighthouse

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
	Cafés
	The Pure Pizza Cafe Teramby Rd Nelson Bay NSW 2315 Telephone: (02) 4984 2800