Sydney day tour operator · 812 George St, Haymarket
A 12-hour minibus day from Central Station with free time on the Stockton dunes, lunch by the bay and a guided climb to the Tomaree summit lookout. Pick it if you want Port Stephens from Sydney at the lowest price and like to choose your own extras.
Port Stephens is about 2.5 hours north of Sydney, which makes this a long day: 12 hours door to door, with roughly 6 to 7 hours on the road and at the stops and about 5 to 6 hours in Port Stephens. That is more time in Port Stephens than the all-inclusive day tour gives you, because there is no fixed cruise or sanctuary visit to fit in. You meet at 812 George St, Haymarket, a short walk from Central Station. There is no hotel pickup.
The base price covers transport, a guide, a coffee stop on the way up, a snack stop on the way back and all park fees. The day itself has three parts: more than two hours of free time at Stockton Beach and Anna Bay, lunch at Nelson Bay or Shoal Bay, and a guided walk up Mount Tomaree. Stockton Beach runs 32 km with dunes over 30 metres high (Wikipedia), and NSW National Parks calls them the largest moving coastal dunes in the southern hemisphere.
Two extras are paid on the day: a 4x4 safari with sandboarding from $40 per person and a camel ride from $50 per person. Lunch is on you too. The Tomaree climb is steep: NSW National Parks grades the summit walk 5, 2.2 km return with stairs to 161 metres, so the operator asks for moderate fitness. The listing does not take children under 15 or wheelchair users.
Meet the guide near Central Station. Bring swimwear, a jacket and a water bottle, and leave big luggage and coolers behind: they are not allowed.
About 2.5 hours north on the motorway, with a coffee stop on the way up.
Over two hours of free time on the beach and the dunes. Walk the sand, swim if conditions allow, or pay on the spot for the 4x4 sandboarding run or a camel ride.
Lunch at Nelson Bay or Shoal Bay, depending on the day, at your own cost. The guide points you to cafes and takeaways.
A guided climb up the Tomaree Head track to the summit lookout, 161 metres above the harbour entrance, with views over the bay, the islands and the coast.
Snack stop on the return run, then back to Haymarket about 12 hours after you left.
★★★★★It was extremely great!! I would recommend this thing to do to anyone. The sandboarding was a lot of fun and not difficult at all, and after the hike there was still the opportunity to go swimming in the ocean. Our guide was very helpful, nice, and funny!
★★★★★Playing sandboarding was super fun, only the weather was too hot because we had to take off our shoes, then lunch at the beautiful Nelson Bay and we hiked for about 40 minutes to Tomaree Headland, the track was good but very uphill and there were many stairs so I had a hard time but it was worth it when I saw such a beautiful view.
★★★★★It was an amazing day! Absolutely loved the sandboarding and the hike was beautiful with incredible views! The guides Maikel and Stefan were fantastic [...]
★★★★★James was an amazing guide. He catered the tour well to the group traveling to Port Stephens. He was very helpful in taking our photos and videos while sandboarding :)
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On this 12-hour trip, about 5 to 6 hours: more than 2 hours at the dunes, a lunch stop and the Tomaree hike. The rest goes on the drive up and back and the coffee and snack stops.
No. The 4x4 safari with sandboarding costs from $40 per person and the camel ride from $50 per person, both paid on the day. Free time on the dunes is included.
Steep but short. NSW National Parks grades it 5: 2.2 km return, 1.5 to 2 hours, mostly stairs to 161 metres. The operator recommends moderate fitness.
At 812 George St, Haymarket, near Central Station in Sydney. There is no hotel pickup, and children under 15 cannot join.
Ready to book
The cheapest day from Sydney: free time at the dunes and the beach plus a guided Tomaree summit hike.
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