Nelson Bay
Nelson Bay
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
30 reviews
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Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,299 contributions
Apr 2022
Despite being the largest town in the Port Stephens area, Nelson Bay still has a relaxed, coastal town atmosphere.
We recently spent a day here, having caught the ferry from Tea Gardens. We booked the 9:30am ferry over, returning on the 2:30pm ferry. That gave us 4 full hours to explore which was plenty of time to visit a few beaches, have lunch and walk up to the Nelson Head Heritage Lighthouse and museum.
The lighthouse and lookout point were the unexpected highlight of the day.
Our plan was as follows:
i) From the marina we walked along the the foreshore to the lighthouse, stopping at Nelson Bay Beach, Fly Point and Little Beach on the way (an easy 25 min walk)
ii) At the lighthouse, we checked out the panoramic view, museum, the WWII bunker and stopped for lunch and some excellent scones at the cafe.
iii) Walking back, we cut down through Flora Gardens and Neil Carroll Park
iv) Back at the D’Albora Marina, we browsed at works by local artists at the Artisan Collective
v) Behind the Marina, we found Bridle Path and followed it along the coast to Dutchmans Beach which turned out to be the prettiest of the beaches we saw that day.
We didn’t see everything and you could fit more in if you wanted to but we took the day at a very leisurely pace. With more time, I’d have liked to snorkel at Fly Point, a protected marine sanctuary. The Splash Waterpark also looked great fun and would be a magnet for kids.
We recently spent a day here, having caught the ferry from Tea Gardens. We booked the 9:30am ferry over, returning on the 2:30pm ferry. That gave us 4 full hours to explore which was plenty of time to visit a few beaches, have lunch and walk up to the Nelson Head Heritage Lighthouse and museum.
The lighthouse and lookout point were the unexpected highlight of the day.
Our plan was as follows:
i) From the marina we walked along the the foreshore to the lighthouse, stopping at Nelson Bay Beach, Fly Point and Little Beach on the way (an easy 25 min walk)
ii) At the lighthouse, we checked out the panoramic view, museum, the WWII bunker and stopped for lunch and some excellent scones at the cafe.
iii) Walking back, we cut down through Flora Gardens and Neil Carroll Park
iv) Back at the D’Albora Marina, we browsed at works by local artists at the Artisan Collective
v) Behind the Marina, we found Bridle Path and followed it along the coast to Dutchmans Beach which turned out to be the prettiest of the beaches we saw that day.
We didn’t see everything and you could fit more in if you wanted to but we took the day at a very leisurely pace. With more time, I’d have liked to snorkel at Fly Point, a protected marine sanctuary. The Splash Waterpark also looked great fun and would be a magnet for kids.
Written 26 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David Jackson
Melbourne, Australia95 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Nelson Bay is a fantastic wellness relaxing location, appropriately 30 minutes from Newcastle NSW. During our 12 day stay we explored much of what Nelson Bay offered. You will need a car for this. We based ourselves at Beaches Serviced Apartments 12 Gowrie St. A short walk to Little Beach, Little Beach Boathouse Bar and Restaurant the Lighthouse including cafe and museum. The main beach and wharf is a bit further on. Both of these walks take you through native bush lond. For us the piece of resistance was finding One Mile Beach (Hannah Pde).
Written 20 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CoastrunnerVictoria
Doreen, Australia162 contributions
May 2022
Nelson bay is one of our favourite places to holiday at and we've been doing that over 15 years. It's worth the trip from Melbourne.
The waterways are fantastic and there is a shopping centre that is quite adequate for a holiday destination. The place abounds with plenty of eating options with some lovely restaurants. The surrounding areas are also a must see
The waterways are fantastic and there is a shopping centre that is quite adequate for a holiday destination. The place abounds with plenty of eating options with some lovely restaurants. The surrounding areas are also a must see
Written 12 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leanne C
Sydney, Australia20 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Nelson bay n the surrounding area is a fabulous place with everything you need: cafes, beaches , restaurants, 4WD EXPERIENCES, great camping, camel rides ( Birubi beach) , walks, bike trails, mountain walks with amazing vistas..,…. It’s endless!!! Beaut for families n young couples and ever so safe.
Written 17 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
allann879
Wagga Wagga, Australia152 contributions
Apr 2021
First visit to Port Stephens for many years. Very impressed with the very obvious civic pride. Interesting town centre and effective traffic management (except for the ubiquitous park and pay). In an environment where we are encouraged to spend local, this is a real disincentive.
Written 21 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DerAlteBach
Sydney, Australia753 contributions
Dec 2020
Nelson Bay is a commercial centre for the Port Stephens area, with shops of all kind, including supermarkets, banks, post office, and so on.
Nevertheless, it has somewhat of an overall seaside village atmosphere, which makes it a pleasant urban centre amid the glorious scenery of Port Stephens.
Nevertheless, it has somewhat of an overall seaside village atmosphere, which makes it a pleasant urban centre amid the glorious scenery of Port Stephens.
Written 20 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracy P
Hong Kong, China654 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
In summer, it’s very comfortable to enjoy sea breeze at the shipyard with ice team or a iced drink, especially you can see the blue sky and the sea water as well,
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob H
Sydney, Australia154 contributions
Dec 2020
Nelson Bay has great shopping for all your needs; supermarket, restaurants, chemist shop, clothing shops etc. But the best thing is that nothing is far away by car. Just a short drive will get you to ocean or sheltered bay beaches - marvelllous
Written 8 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CodyMav
Gold Coast, Australia27,270 contributions
Dec 2019
Nelson Bay itself is a pleasant outlook, but coming in via B63 was troubling.
Numerous abandoned wrecked cars roadside, big signs regarding contaminated land, locals big banner sign up about being poisoned etc don't make a good first impression.
Then the overpriced hotel I stayed at next to teh marina, did not have working air conditioning, and on closer look, was broken and mouldy inside, with no support after 8.30pm or early morning.
Perhaps I had high expectations, but the entrance drive in was confronting and disturbing that the area was not safe to be in.
I hope for the sake of the locals, the local council gets its act together, but I will never bother returning, too many other much better coastal towns to enjoy
Numerous abandoned wrecked cars roadside, big signs regarding contaminated land, locals big banner sign up about being poisoned etc don't make a good first impression.
Then the overpriced hotel I stayed at next to teh marina, did not have working air conditioning, and on closer look, was broken and mouldy inside, with no support after 8.30pm or early morning.
Perhaps I had high expectations, but the entrance drive in was confronting and disturbing that the area was not safe to be in.
I hope for the sake of the locals, the local council gets its act together, but I will never bother returning, too many other much better coastal towns to enjoy
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dianestonham
Campbelltown, Australia3 contributions
Nov 2019
I will definitely be going back to finish what I started. We had a wonderful time but should have stayed longer
Written 2 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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