Port Stephens - Shoal Bay (15/2/12 - 20/2/12)

From Sydney we headed about 200kms north to Shoal Bay at Port Stephens, 60kms north of Newcastle.  What a spot – a number of protected bays along the Port Stephens Peninsula.  It is not far from Nelson Bay, the main town site.  But busy, we were so surprised.  Apparently the grey nomads check in here as soon as school holidays are finished.  We managed to get a site at Shoal Bay Caravan Park for three nights and were then able to extend two more nights, but that meant moving sites.  Despite this we had a very relaxing 5 days.

Two mornings were spent at the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes at the Worimi Conservation Lands, about 15 minutes from Shoal Bay.  Wow – they were awesome.  These dunes are up to one kilometre wide, 32 kilometres long, cover an area over 4,200 hectares, climb up to 40 metres high and are the largest dune system in Australia.   Beautiful white sand and steep, making them perfect for sand boarding.  We had a ball, although it would have been more fun if our sand boarding buddies - the Guilles and Camerons were enjoying them with us.

On one of the days we continued driving along the beach toward Newcastle.  And no we didn’t get bogged.  Only 50m offshore is the Sygna shipwreck, which was a Norwegian bulk carrier that ran aground in 1974.  Great to see.  Then onto Newcastle for a quick look around.

We went to the beach every day for swims and it was so lovely to feel warm.  Low 30’s each day and not one drop of rain!  About time!!

Donna, Chloe and Ben did a great walk to the top of Tomaree Head, which is at the easternmost edge of Shoal Bay.  Only 168m high but so steep.  Well worth it - what a view!   It was hard work getting up there so the swim after was well deserved.

From here we will head to the Hunter Valley and then towards Port Macquarie.

The view from the sand dunes

The horrible climb back up

Chloe the daredevil (it took her 5 minutes to get up the courage - Ben did it without hesitation)

Sygna wreck

Ben the poser

Fingal Bay Beach (near Shoal Bay)

View from beach opposite caravan park (Tomaree Head in the distance)

Ben and Mummy time - love this photo!

The Hikers at the top of Tomaree Head

The view

Shoal Bay from Tomaree Head