Australia · The coast north of Sydney
Port Stephens yacht charter: a fishing adventure, and a getaway close to the city
Port Stephens is a day's run north of Sydney, which makes it the easiest way to get properly away from the city and still be close to it. It is a fishing adventure, with game fishing offshore in summer and plenty inside the bay, and the dolphins live in the bay, the Stockton dunes run for thirty kilometres, and dinner at Rick Stein at Bannisters is the table everyone wants. It is the end of our week from Sydney, and a great long weekend in its own right.
Where
About a day's run north of Sydney, on the coast between Sydney and Newcastle
Fly to
Sydney (SYD), or Newcastle airport, about forty minutes from Nelson Bay
Best months
October to April, with whales from June to November. You can charter all year
Give it
A long weekend, or the end of a week from Sydney
Known for
Fishing, the dolphins, Stockton Bight dunes, Rick Stein at Bannisters and Broughton Island
Water
A big sheltered bay behind Tomaree Head, with open ocean outside
Why go
Port Stephens, honestly
Port Stephens is where Sydney goes to get away without going far. It is a fishing adventure first: game fishing offshore in summer, and plenty inside the bay for the group that wants the rods out. We arrange a dedicated fishing tender with its own crew for a half or full day, and the chef cooks the catch.
The rest is a very good week of water and food. The resident dolphins come to the boat in the bay, you can ride the Stockton Bight sand dunes by 4WD, and Rick Stein at Bannisters is the dinner to book. Broughton Island, out beyond the heads, is a national park with nobody on it, and the snorkelling at Fly Point and the hidden bays by tender fills any afternoon.
It is the end of the week we run from Sydney, with two nights on the Harbour, a night in Pittwater, a night up the Hawkesbury River and three here, and a long day home. Or fly or drive to Newcastle and let the yacht make her own way down the coast.
Where we anchor
The anchorages, in the order we use them
Shoal BayAnchorage, overnightFlat water behind Tomaree Head, the beach on one side, the country club on the other, and bonfires when the group wants a night ashore.
Nelson BayMarina and berthThe town and the marina. Sunset cocktails overlooking the water, and the easiest place to change guests.
Fly PointSnorkel stopSnorkel at Fly Point, or explore the hidden bays by tender.
- Broughton IslandDay tripA national park off the heads with no one on it, empty beaches and grey nurse sharks for divers.
Ashore
Port Stephens off the boat
Not a directory. If it is here, we have sat at the table or stood at the bar.
Eat
Dinner at Bannisters, brunch ashore.
Rick Stein at BannistersFresh local seafood by one of Australia's most celebrated chefs. The table everyone wants, and we hold it for you.
The AnchorageElegant seafood dining and sunset cocktails.
The Little NelA contemporary brunch spot with harbour views.
Drink
A night ashore, if the group wants one.
Shoal Bay Country ClubBeach bonfires and live music at Shoal Bay Country Club.
Nelson Bay marina at sunsetSunset cocktails overlooking the marina in Nelson Bay.
Do
Rods, dolphins and dunes.
- A day's fishingA dedicated fishing tender with its own crew, half or full day. Game fishing offshore in summer, and the chef cooks the catch.
Dolphin and whale watchingGo dolphin watching in the bay, and whale watching from June to November.
Stockton Bight sand dunesRide the Stockton Bight dunes, by 4WD or camel.
Snorkelling the hidden baysSnorkel at Fly Point or explore the hidden bays by tender.
Where it sits
Port Stephens on the chart
Port Stephens is about a day's run north of Sydney, past Pittwater and Broken Bay. It is the end of the week from Sydney, or a long weekend in its own right.
Drag to move. Double-click or ctrl-scroll to zoom.Zoom with the buttons, then drag to move.
When
When to be in Port Stephens
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- October to April: warm water, long days and the game fishing at its best in summer.
- June to November: the whales pass the heads, and the bay is quiet.
- May to September: quieter and better value. Cool clear days and no crowds, and you can still charter.
- The dolphins live in the bay all year.
Itineraries
Itineraries that call at Port Stephens
Full plans, day by day, with the boat each one runs on. Send one to the people coming with you; we reshape it around your yacht and dates.
Yachts
Yachts in Sydney now
Port Stephens is a day north of the Sydney fleet. Tell us the dates and the group and we find the boat.
MISCHIEF
Baglietto · 54m · 2006, refit 2024
12 guests | 6 cabins | 14 crew
A$295k – 420k
CHAOS
Sunseeker · 30m · 2010, refit 2024
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
A$110k
BLUESTONE
Gulf Craft · 31m · 2023
10 guests | 5 cabins | 5 crew
$110k
GINGER
ILIAD · 19m · 2024
6 guests | 3 cabins | 4 crew
A$55k – 60k
LEGACY
Gulf Craft · 32m · 2017
12 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
A$150k
S/Y FENG
Sunreef Yachts · 22m · 2013, refit 2023
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
€45k – 60k
SHORE THING
Lloyds Ships Holdings · 35m · 1986, refit 2025
8 guests | 4 cabins | 6 crew
$62k
TRUE NORTH
null · 50m · 2005, refit 2020
36 guests | 18 cabins | 22 crew
A$645k
MASTEKA 2
MonteFino · 38m · 2009, refit 2022
12 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
$125k
MASTEKA 2
37m · 2009, refit 2021
12 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
$99k – 125k
PAZIENZA
Cantiere delle Marche · 35m · 2024
11 guests | 5 cabins | 5 crew
$150k
LANCE
Sanlorenzo · 38m · 2023
10 guests | 5 cabins | 7 crew
A$220k – 250k
ORRAIA
Horizon · 27m · 2024
10 guests | 5 cabins | 4 crew
A$110k – 132k
4A
Sanlorenzo · 39m · 2007, refit 2008
10 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
$120k
FENG
Sunreef · 22m · 2013, refit 2023
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
$45k
ENCORE
Horizon · 30m · 2011, refit 2021
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
A$90k
LUMIR
Heesen · 37m · 2005, refit 2026
10 guests | 4 cabins | 6 crew
A$120k – 144k
Little Perle
30m · 2008, refit 2023
9 guests | 4 cabins
A$88k – 110k
PARADISE
Horizon · 35m · 2014
10 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
A$210k
ORRAIA
Horizon · 28m · 2024
10 guests | 5 cabins | 4 crew
A$132k
LUMIR
Heesen · 37m · 2005, refit 2013
10 guests | 4 cabins | 6 crew
A$140k
SOLACE
Jeanneau · 12m · 2011
6 guests | 3 cabins | 1 crew
A$15k
TELEOST
Feadship · 49m · 1998, refit 2023
12 guests | 5 cabins | 10 crew
$195k
23 yachts in rotation. The order changes with every visit so no boat is always last.
Questions we get asked
Port Stephens, answered
Common questions
How far is Port Stephens from Sydney?
About a day's run north by yacht, with a night in Pittwater on the way if you want to break it up. By road it is about two and a half hours, and Newcastle airport is about forty minutes from Nelson Bay.
Can we go fishing from a yacht in Port Stephens?
Yes. We arrange a dedicated fishing tender with its own crew for a half or full day, with game fishing offshore in summer and plenty inside the bay. The chef cooks the catch that night.
What is there to do in Port Stephens?
Dolphin and whale watching, the Stockton Bight sand dunes by 4WD or camel, snorkelling at Fly Point and the hidden bays, Broughton Island, and dinner at Rick Stein at Bannisters.
When is the best time to charter in Port Stephens?
October to April is best, with the game fishing in summer and the whales passing from June to November. You can charter all year.
Want Port Stephens in your week?
Tell us the dates and who is coming. We will say which nights to give it, which berth to hold, and whether the week you want is still open.