Once a weary seaside block, Marina Resort is Port Stephens’ newest benchmark for swish coastal stays.
Nelson Bay lives in my memories as a series of salt-sprayed postcards. Childhood summers spent scanning sun-scorched sand for shells and silvery tides for dolphins; gums dotted with lorikeets; Bubble O’Bill ice creams from fish and chip shops.
But today I’m pulled back into the popular Port Stephens town, where my grandparents still live and which was recently named among Australia’s top 10 towns for nature and adventure, for another reason. Marina Resort, a once-forgettable hotel in an ’80s building, reopened last August following an overhaul by DOMA Group. The redevelopment is rethinking the holiday hotspot’s hotel landscape, promising a stylish cut above the sprawling caravan parks and paint-flaked cottages of old.
Where is Marina Resort?
Dive into the resort pool.
Five minutes’ walk uphill from Nelson Bay’s town centre, Marina Resort offers lovely views over the marina and bay beyond. Popular nearby beaches with calm waters include Dutchmanns Beach, Bagnalls Beach and Little Beach, while One Mile Beach is a sterling surf spot around 15 minutes away by car. For those keen to get some steps in, the start of the stunning Tomaree Head Summit Walk is a 10-minute drive away.
What is the style and character of Marina Resort?
Enjoy sweeping views of the ocean. (Credit: Gabriel Saunders)
Marina Resort is all about laid-back coastal living elevated by sun-washed spaces and design-forward details. From the moment my partner and I arrive at reception, I know we’ll be happy here. Staff are friendly and professional, and check-in is butter smooth. Pearly peach mosaics recall the bay’s shell-lined shores, while beige lounges edged with black piping sit opposite a brilliant sapphire-hued coffee table. It’s refined yet unpretentious.
The foyer balances neutrals with pops of colour.
Curated by Melbourne/Naarm design firm Stella Collective, guestrooms are a breezy blend of sand-hued linens, woven textiles, and sculptural wood that allude to Port Stephens’ native flora. I love that our Garden Terrace Room has a leafy private patio and an outdoor daybed overlooking the pool.
Earthy colours and texture bring the rooms to life. (Image: Gabriel Saunders)
Bedrooms are light and airy.
Find inspiration at the reading table. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
To my delight, the room also boasts partial ocean views, despite its location on the ground floor. While the bathroom is kitted out with Grown Alchemist amenities, the entryway houses a microwave, pod coffee machine, ironing board and mini fridge – though snack hunters such as myself will need to look elsewhere for their fix.
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AI Prompt
What facilities does Marina Resort have?
Plunge into the 25-metre pool.
That hunt leads us to reception, where guests can purchase packaged nibbles and beverages from the vending machines or foyer bar. Canned yuzu, lime and pineapple gin cocktails prove the zesty refresher we’re craving after a surf at nearby One Mile Beach. We bring a few down to the hotel’s north-facing pool area, which offers a pristine 25-metre pool and luxe double-sized day beds (no dingy plastic lounges here, thank you).
Rinse off under the outdoor shower. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
Those accustomed to high-end hotels might miss the close attention of roaming staff, but for me, the self-service approach means we can enjoy the simplicity of a sunset dip without disturbance.
What is the dining like at Marina Resort?
The hotel has a food truck and outdoor tables. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
In step with the town’s easygoing, turtle-paced tempo, the hotel trades a restaurant for a pop-up food van open from 8am to 3pm. Here you’ll find freshly squeezed juices and light bites (think potato wedges, paninis, cereal and chia pudding) alongside several al fresco picnic tables.
We opt for a larger meal at The Little Nel, a buzzing local institution loved for its sunny deck and seasonal brunch menu. Later, we drive to Nelson Head Lighthouse – one of my favourite haunts for oven-warm scones and dazzling bay views at the cute little onsite cafe.
While more onsite dining options in the evening hours would complete the experience, it forces us to explore the town’s local dining scene. We dine at Taj Tandoori and love the authentic Indian flavours, though Dumpling Mamas Bar & Dining and Seabreeze Hotel Bistro and Bar are also popular spots.
Does Marina Resort have access for guests with disabilities?
Marina Resort offers accessible rooms.
Yes. Located on the top floor, the best room in the house is wheelchair-accessible, with grab rails in the bathroom.
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Is Marina Resort family-friendly?
Nearby Dutchmans Beach is perfect for families. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
Marina Resort’s spaces are family-friendly, though they are best suited to well-behaved or older kids as it has a fairly quiet atmosphere. The outdoor pool has a wading pool for children, and the rooms are spacious and reasonably priced – making them ideal for families. Guests can also venture to nearby beaches with calm waters perfect for swimming and fishing.
The verdict
A four-star, contemporary coastal refuge ideal for couples and groups seeking a polished yet relaxed stay. Marina Resort lends easy access to all the things that transport me back to carefree childhood summers here, with the addition of contemporary luxe. For this, I’ll gladly forgo table service.
Details
Best for: couples and groups looking to unwind in style by the sea
Address: 33 Magnus St, Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Room rate: Stay between Sunday and Thursday to score nightly rates from $209, a welcome drink and late checkout.
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
From country landscapes to the coast, Vintage Rail Journeys blends the grandeur of the golden age of rail travel with immersive local experiences.
Travelling aboard the historic Southern Aurora train is the ultimate scenic journey through regional NSW. Operated by Vintage Rail Journeys, the former Southern Aurora is a step back in time, from the lovingly restored carriages to the Off Train Experiences that spotlight local history, artisanal crafts and regional producers.
Once the overnight express that ferried passengers between Sydney and Melbourne throughout the 1960s, this train has been revived to its former mid-century glory, from the cabin layouts to the original lettering. Today, the train takes passengers on scenic and historic five-day journeys – starting and ending in Sydney – through three distinct regions of NSW: The Riverina, Golden West and North Coast.
Be transported into the golden age of travel. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)
One of the most magical parts of travelling with Vintage Rail Journeys is waking up on the train. Each night, the train stables at a station so guests can enjoy a restful night’s sleep in stillness, before departing again at dawn. Passengers awake to the gentle motion of the carriage, flicking open the blinds to watch the landscape unfold at sunrise. There is no better way to start the day.
The onboard experience come evening time is just as picturesque. Guests enjoy the all-inclusive food and beverages, nursing cocktails in the Art Deco-inspired lounge carriage or lingering over a three-course dinner in the dining carriage. Outside the window, Eastern grey kangaroos bound across open plains and flocks of cockatoos scatter from the gumtrees. It’s an old-world way of travelling, a slower pace that’s increasingly rare amid the frenzy of modern life. From coastal sojourns to adventures through agrarian landscapes, these are the multi-day Vintage Rail Journeys itineraries transporting guests back in time.
The Riverina
Travel through the agricultural heartland of NSW. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)
The Riverina is the agricultural heartland of NSW. Over five days, Vintage Rail Journeys takes passengers through the region to experience its celebrated produce, wines and local history. Travelling in a loop through the Central West, guests can sample sweets at the Junee Liquorice & Chocolate Factory, housed inside a former flour mill, tour an olive grove alongside a second-generation olive farmer, and enjoy tastings at family-owned wineries where the grapes are harvested mere metres away.
The Riverina is also a region shaped by passionate local historians. The Fairground Follies museum in Bowral houses one of the world’s largest collections of mechanical music and carnival memorabilia – a riot of colour and nostalgia tucked away where you’d least expect it. Meanwhile, Temora Rural Museum offers a glimpse into the history of everyday life in rural NSW. It’s home to the NSW & ACT Ambulance Museum (yes, a museum within a museum), packed with ambulances that span the past 120 years (including horse-drawn!). And seeing it all aboard a vintage train makes it feel not just like you’re visiting history, but living inside of it.
North Coast
Take in the views from Forest Sky Pier. (Credit: Destination NSW)
This five-day journey is all about ocean views and slowing down in tune with the rhythm of coastal life. As you make your way north from Sydney, the water is never too far from sight, whether Vintage Rail Journeys is tracing the Gloucester River or travelling alongside sweeping stretches of coastline. You’ll want to sit by a window as the train passes through the Coffs Harbour region – it’s one of the most scenic stretches of the whole journey.
Guests can also disembark at Coffs Harbour to take in the beauty of the Great Dividing Range at the Forest Sky Pier – a surreal lookout point that looks like a runway disappearing into the sky. The train continues onward to Byron Bay, where guests can disembark to explore the iconic beach town at their own pace. And on the return journey to Sydney, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins – they’re known to frequent the Kooragang Wetlands near Newcastle, which guests visit on a lunch cruise on the final day.
Golden West
Jump off the train for a winery experience. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)
Travelling through the Golden West by rail is like stepping into a Frederick McCubbin painting – a nod to the golden era of rail travel. This five-day journey evokes the era of Australian Impressionism, passing through some of the country’s most painterly landscapes while tracing a path through history.
Starting in Sydney, the train makes its way to the Hawkesbury River, where the train crosses a historic rail bridge over the bronze, glassy waters below. Guests disembark here to cruise the brackish inlet aboard a historic postal boat before returning to the train to continue into Gold Rush country. Ahead lie grand heritage towns and historic estates, including the 1870s Abercrombie House in Bathurst.
Special event journeys
Enjoy all-inclusive dining and beverages on the way to special events. (Credit: Krista Eppelstun)
Regional NSW is home to some truly one-of-a-kind events, and Vintage Rail Journeys offers a memorable way to get there. Planning a trip to the Bathurst Repco 1000? Vintage Rail Journeys’ special itinerary combines accommodation, dining and transport into one seamless experience. Guests take the scenic route to Bathurst, where the train becomes a unique home base for the event, complete with transfers, all-inclusive dining and beverages, and three days of reserved grandstand seating before returning to Sydney Central Station.
For something a little more playful, guests can also join fellow Elvis enthusiasts on a special overnight journey to Parkes for the town’s iconic annual Elvis Festival. It’s a vintage rail journey – with a little added rock ‘n’ roll.
