A nature lover’s guide to the best Port Stephens camping

Megan Arkinstall Megan Arkinstall
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With 26 beaches and bays, a backdrop of ever-shifting sand dunes and large pockets of lush coastal forest, Port Stephens camping is simply extraordinary. 

Port Stephens is a region where outdoor pursuits are part of your everyday itinerary. Taking long walks on sugar-white sand, swimming and snorkelling in translucent waters, four-wheel-driving or quad biking on gargantuan sand dunes… 

What better place to recount stories of sun-drenched days than around a campfire, before being lulled to sleep by the sounds of the ocean? Covering everything from basic campsites to holiday parks that cater to your every need, our guide to Port Stephens camping will help you escape in no time. 

1. Halifax Holiday Park

Halifax Holiday Park
The park is a must-visit for boating enthusiasts.

Conveniently wedged between two beautiful beaches in Port Stephens, and an easy 15-minute walk into the town of Nelson Bay, the location of Halifax Holiday Park can’t be beaten. It offers direct beach access to Little Beach and Shoal Bay Beach, both of which are calm and family-friendly swimming spots (so they’re perfect for stand-up paddle boarding, too). The Port Stephens camping spot is also a popular choice for boaties due to its deepwater boat ramp. As far as your actual digs go, there are powered tent and van sites, plus modern one- to four-bedroom villas, with fully equipped kitchens. 

Price: $-$$$ 
Facilities: A boat ramp, BBQs, kiosk, kids’ playground, laundry facilities and direct beach access
Accessibility: Yes, there’s a three-bedroom ‘Accessible Living’ cabin with lowered benches, ramp access, extra-wide parking, a shower chair and more custom features.
Dog-friendly?: Yes, but you must register your pooch before setting up.
Address: 5 Beach Rd, Little Beach, Nelson Bay

2. Shoal Bay Holiday Park

Shoal Bay Holiday Park
The park boasts a beachside location like no other.

A stroll from the powder-soft white sands of picturesque Shoal Bay Beach and a short walk into the village, this holiday park is a top spot for chilled-out Port Stephens camping. Families with younger kids will love the activities during school holidays; keeping active and entertained is easy with a games room, cycleway just behind the park and on-site tennis court. The park has powered tent and van sites, ensuite van sites, uber comfy safari tents and one-, two- and four-bedroom villas. Just down the road, the Tomaree Headland Summit Walk is a short but challenging hike that offers spectacular views. Top the beachside bliss off with a stop at the Shoal Bay Country Club for a casual feed. 

Price: $-$$$
Facilities: BBQs, tennis court, laundry, camp kitchen, games room and direct beach access
Accessibility: Yes, there’s a two-bedroom accessible villa with a wheelchair ramp.
Dog-friendly?: Yes, but you must register your pooch before setting up.
Address: 71 Shoal Bay Rd, Shoal Bay 

3. Big4 Ingenia Holidays Soldiers Point 

indoor pool of Ingenia Holidays
Vacationing families will surely love the indoor pool.

Big 4 Ingenia Holidays Soldiers Point is known for its kid-friendly fun thanks to the purpose-built bike track, an indoor kids’ water park, a jungle gym, an outdoor playground, a games room, a pedal kart hire, a giant chess board and more. The kids will no doubt flop into their beds at night, lulled to sleep by the sounds of the ocean, a hundred or so metres away. The Port Stephens camping hot spot features powered and ensuite caravan and campsites, a range of cabins, plus 1970s Airstreams that sleep four. 

 Price: $-$$$ 
Facilities: BBQs, playgrounds, two swimming pools, water playground, bike and pedal kart hire, tennis courts, bowling alley and a kiosk
Accessibility: Yes, there’s a two-bedroom accessible cabin with a low-incline wheelchair ramp, bathroom with handrails, detachable shower head and accessible benchtops. 
Dog-friendly?: Yes, but only at selected sites. 
Address: 122 Soldiers Point Rd, Soldiers Point

4. Thou Walla Sunset Retreat

Thou Walla Sunset Retreat
The glamping safari tents offer eco-friendly amenities.

Located at the tip of Soldiers Point, Thou Walla Sunset Retreat is – as the name suggests – a spectacular location to enjoy a sky show as the sun dips behind the horizon. The park has access to two beaches, a nearby boat ramp and marina, tennis court, and is close to the Port Stephens Yacht Club and refined Point Restaurant. Accommodation types include caravan sites, one- and two-bedroom cabins, and glamping tents with amazing views of the sunsets. 

Price: $-$$$
Facilities: Swimming pool, glamping tents, BBQs, camp kitchen and laundry
Accessibility: Yes, there are accessible bathroom facilities for campers.
Dog-friendly?: No
Address: 2 Ridgeway Ave, Soldiers Point 

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5. Gateway Lifestyle Birubi Beach

room at Gateway Lifestyle Birubi Beach
Rooms are made for comfortable rest after a full day of adventures.

Located near Birubi Beach, which extends from Port Stephens to Stockton, this holiday park is the perfect base for sand-based adventures. The patrolled beach has four-wheel-drive access to the Stockton Sand Dunes, is famous for camel rides, and is safe for swimming and surfing plus exploring the rock pools. The park itself has unpowered and powered tent and van sites, in addition to one- and two-bedroom cabins.

Price: $-$$$
Facilities: Mini golf, a heated pool, kids’ playground, beach access, camp kitchens, and ping pong
Accessibility: Yes, but there are no specialised areas for guests with access needs.
Dog-friendly?: Yes, across selected stays but all furry friends must be registered. 
Address: 37 James Paterson St, Anna Bay  

6. Big4 Bays Holiday Park

Big 4 Bays Holiday Park
Daisy The Cute Caravan is one of the accommodation offerings.

A little further away from the coast, Big4 Bays Holiday Park is yet another Port Stephens camping pick guaranteed to send the kids straight to heaven. It has a pool with a slide, plus plenty of activities for little ones, in addition to a wide choice of accommodation options. Choose from powered and unpowered sites, one- to three-bedroom cabins, and three ‘cosy’ caravans with coastal cool styling and contemporary finishes. The park is also close to Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters, a must-visit for ocean lovers, and Birubi Beach. 

Price: $-$$$
Facilities: Swimming pool, playgrounds, pedal karts, giant jumping pillow, camp kitchen, BBQs, two amenities blocks and a laundry
Accessibility: Yes, there is an accessible amenities block for campers.
Dog-friendly?: Yes, across select cabins and sites, and there’s even a dog wash to keep them clean.
Address: 23 Port Stephens Drive, Anna Bay

7. Ganyamalbaa Camping Trial

On a remote beach in the Worimi Conservation Lands, the Ganyamalbaa Camping Trial is suitable for tents and single-axel camper trailers only. It’s the only place you’re allowed to camp within the conservation area and sites must be booked but do make the extra effort because the experience is one-of-a-kind. There are no facilities (i.e. not even toilets or water) so you’ll need to bring everything. The trade-off? Sleeping peacefully under a blanket of stars, with immediate access to the dunes, four-wheel-driving and quad biking. 

Price: $
Facilities: Fire pits and that’s really about it — BYO water, a portable camp toilet and firewood.
Accessibility: No
Dog-friendly?: No
Address: Worimi Conservation Lands, Fern Bay

8. Fingal Bay Holiday Park

High shot overlooking Fingal Bay Holiday park and the beach.
Fingal Bay Holiday Park is made for families.

A family favourite for Port Stephens camping and caravanning, Fingal Bay Holiday Park is a large spot located directly opposite a patrolled beach, which is super convenient for surfers. It’s also excellent for whale watching between May and November when migration season strikes. The park has a swimming pool, tennis court, games room, playground and school holiday activities for kids. You can choose from powered tent and van sites, ensuite sites, and one- to three-bedroom cabins. 

Price: $-$$$
Facilities: Swimming pool, tennis court, games room, children’s playground, BBQs, direct beach access, a camp kitchen, laundry and picnic areas
Accessibility: Yes, there’s a three-bedroom deluxe villa with lower benches, safety rails and a wheelchair ramp.
Dog-friendly?: Yes, but you must register your pooch before setting up.
Address: 52 Marine Drive, Fingal Bay

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9. Ingenia Holidays One Mile Beach

Ingenia Holidays One Mile
The park has various accommodation options, from luxury villas and homes to cabins.

Beach lovers flock to Ingenia Holidays One Mile Beach for the seemingly endless stretch of sand right on its doorstep. Kids are well catered to as various activities provide plenty of entertainment while the on-site pool, tennis court and basketball court provide after-beach fun for the whole family. There are powered and unpowered sites for camping and caravans, and everything from budget cabins to a luxury beach house sleeping eight. 

Features: unpowered and powered sites, cabins, pool, playground, tennis, barbecues, pet-friendly, beach access, surf school, cafe

Price: $-$$$
Facilities: Swimming pool, tennis court, entertainment room, laundry, children’s playground, ball court, BBQs, glamping tents, a dump point, restaurant, bar and direct beach access. 
Accessibility: Yes, with rails in some parts but there are no specialised areas for guests with access needs.
Dog-friendly?: Yes, across select cabins and camping sites. 

Address: 426 Gan Gan Rd, One Mile 

 10. Samurai Beach Bungalows

Samurai Beach Bungalow
Relax in one of the bungalows surrounding a saltwater lagoon pool.

Nestled in Tomaree National Park, Samurai Beach Bungalows is a peaceful spot surrounded by ocean, dunes and headlands. The only catch? Clothing is optional. Yep, if you’re comfortable in your own skin (literally just your own skin) or don’t mind others who are, then you can spend your days here surfing, fishing and exploring the dunes. The Port Stephens camping spot is a YHA, so expect crowds of youngsters taking advantage of extensive facilities, free-flowing wi-fi and affordable price tags. 

Price: $-$$
Facilities: Swimming pool, games room, BBQ, rentable bikes, reading room, a tour desk and pool table
Accessibility: Yes, but call reception in advance to discuss your unique accessible needs. 
Dog-friendly?: No
Address: 2 Robert Connell Close, Anna Bay 

11. Big 4 Karuah Jetty Holiday Park

Big 4 Karuah Jetty Holiday Park
Modern bungalows offers spacious open-plan living.

Looking for some serious serenity? The Big4 Karuah Jetty Holiday Park right off Karuah River has its own private jetty to help you and your family live out your ultimate waterfront holiday dreams. Better still, many of the sites and cabins welcome dogs so the whole clan is invited. Choose from self-contained stays, such as a family bungalow, or powered sites with creature comforts located right nearby. 

Price: $-$$$
Facilities: Swimming pool, camp kitchen, laundry, tennis court, giant jumping pillow, splash zone for kids, volleyball court and campfires.
Accessibility: Yes, but there are no specialised areas for guests with access needs.
Dog-friendly?: Yes, across select cabins and camping sites.
Address: 88 Holdom Rd, Karuah

Originally written by Megan Arkinstall with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams

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Megan Arkinstall
Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach, bushwalking or boating with her young family. She loves reliving travel memories through writing, whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of Monterosso or swimming with green turtles in the aquamarine waters of Tropical North Queensland.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.