Port Stephens Dolphin Cruise, Koala Sanctuary & Stockton Sand Dune Sandboarding (Full-Day from Sydney)

Nelson Bay•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

12 hours

Fitness Level

Good for travelers who can stand for several hours, climb short sandy slopes and board dunes; not strenuous but physically active.

Overview

Spend a full day from Sydney exploring Port Stephens: a 90‑minute dolphin cruise, an educational visit to the koala sanctuary and the thrill of sandboarding on the Stockton sand dunes. Perfect for families and first‑time visitors looking for wildlife, coastal geology, and a dose of adventure.

Port Stephens Dolphin Cruise, Koala Sanctuary & Stockton Sand Dune Sandboarding (Full-Day from Sydney)

Other

Bus Tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

By 8 a.m. the highway loosens its grip on the city and the landscape opens toward a blue that feels deliberate—Port Stephens’ waters, flat and wide, daring you to look closer. The tour drops you at Nelson Bay, where a 90‑minute Dolphin Discovery Cruise becomes less a sightseeing stop and more a lesson in marine choreography: bottlenose dolphins thread the bow waves, pelicans wheel like punctuation marks, and on winter days you might catch the slow shadow of a humpback moving offshore.

Adventure Photos

Port Stephens Dolphin Cruise, Koala Sanctuary & Stockton Sand Dune Sandboarding (Full-Day from Sydney) photo 1

Adventure Tips

Bring motion‑sickness remedies

The 90‑minute cruise is smooth but the sea can swell—if you’re prone to nausea, take medication before boarding.

Layer for the boat

Morning ferry winds and afternoon dune sun require a light windproof layer plus sun protection.

Protect your camera from sand

Sand blows easily at Stockton—use a zip bag for cameras and keep lenses capped between shots.

Hydrate before dune climbs

Climbing soft sand is unexpectedly taxing—drink water and refill bottles provided by the tour.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Bottlenose dolphins
Sea eagles (occasional)

History

This coastline is on the traditional lands of the Worimi people, whose deep knowledge shaped travel, fishing, and seasonal use of these bays and dunes.

Conservation

The Koala Sanctuary and Hospital focus on rehabilitation and release; guests are asked to respect paths, not feed wildlife, and to follow sanctuary guidelines to reduce human impact.