Who needs the Gold Coast?

Most visitors to Australia like to spend time on the east coast. With destinations like Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns and Melbourne, there are plenty of places to see and plenty of things to do. Along with the notable cities, there are also more small beach towns, boasting beautiful coastal real estate than any lowly traveler could ever visit. While the Sunshine and Gold Coast are the preferred destination of most travelers, there are other beautiful places to visit outside of said stunning, coastal strips. One of these beautiful places is none other than Port Stephens.

With the catchy slogan, “P.S. I love you,” Port Stephens is a fantastic coastal destination that is hidden from the untrained traveler's eye. Located about two hours and a little over 200 miles away from Sydney, Port Stephens offers a fantastic mix of beautiful beaches, national parks, sand dunes and small town hospitality.

Before colonization, Port Stephens was inhabited by the Worimi Aboriginal tribe. The Worimi people found the “canoe,” trees that lined the beaches sacred, and were known for their fishing and trapping. Though settlements didn't come until the 1800s, Captain James Cook discovered Port Stephens on his first trip to Australia. In modern times, the main township of Port Stephens is located around Nelson Bay, where the two Tomaree Heads form a natural border between it and the sea.

If you are looking for crystal clear water and sandy beaches, Port Stephens is not lacking in options. For a secluded beach that runs on for days, One Mile Beach is the place to visit. Located in the Anna Bay area, One Mile Beach is a long spit of sand that’s backed by beautiful, rolling sand dunes. The beach is secluded from the road, and although there are two holiday parks that back up to the beach, there are no buildings obstructing the sand. The surf here is good for beginners, and the dunes make for great places to pitch a tent. Samurai Beach is only separated from One Mile Beach by a small rock formation, and is known for its optional clothing reputation.

Along with One Mile Beach, the much smaller, but still stunning, Zenith Beach offers big waves and open space. While it is located at the foot of the Tomaree Head, few people actually visit the small beach. The water here is much deeper than that of One Mile Beach, and the ocean and currents are much stronger.

For those wanting to spend some time in nature, Tomaree and Worimi National Parks are great places to visit. The Tomaree National Park offers miles of bush walking trails. Though walkers need to be prepared for heat and jungle, the walks are stunning and offer the best chance to see wildlife. As opposed to the former, Worimi National Park is made up completely of coastal sand dunes. The dunes run for a few miles, and offer stunning views of the coast when summated. Visitors are free to hike and roam, and if they are looking for adventure, many of the hotels and hostels rent out sand boards.

Though the parks offer some of the best hikes, one of the must-do activities in Port Stephens is the Tomaree Head Walking Trail. The trail itself is quite short but steep. To “summit,” the head, the trail only runs for about 1 km. Though it doesn't offer the best workout, the view from the top of Tomaree Head is the best view in Port Stephens. The view offers a great vantage point to check out the beaches, dunes and bay, as well as whale and dolphin spot depending on the season (May-October).

If the beaches, parks and trails aren’t enough pull for you to visit Port Stephens, maybe the wineries and breweries are. The Port Stephens area is filled with local wineries that grow their own grapes, and produce fantastic Australian Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Pinot Gregio. While a simple driving tour can bring you to numerous wineries, the most famous is the Port Stephens Winery and Murray’s Brewery. The multifaceted winery/brewery offers an amazing array of different wines and craft beers, as well as food, live music and a beautiful outdoor lounging area. Brewery and winery tours are done daily, and wine and beer tasting is free of charge (but appreciated more if a pint, pot or bottle is purchased after). Port Stephens and Murray’s are a bit of a drive outside of Nelson Bay, but if you find yourself staying in Anna Bay, they are accessible by a long, but beautiful, bike ride.

If you are planning to travel on the east coast of Australia, take the time to visit Port Stephens. Though it may not be on the radar of most travelers, the beaches are absolutely stunning, the parks are immaculate and the entire atmosphere is unmatched anywhere else on the continent.

Photos courtesy of Port Stephens Accommodation and Blogspot