Port Stephens Whale Watching with Colourful Collective Travel
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
11 hours
Fitness Level
Participants should be in reasonable physical shape to join sandboarding and remain comfortable during the 2.5-hour whale watching cruise.
Overview
Witness the dramatic whale migration with Colourful Collective Travel’s Port Stephens tour—sandboard towering dunes, spot humpbacks on a cruise, and visit a wildlife sanctuary. An action-packed day trip from Sydney running June to October.
Port Stephens Whale Watching Colourful Day Trip
11 hours • June to October
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Adventure Photos
About This Adventure
Experience the thrill of the annual whale migration on our Port Stephens tour! Enjoy breathtaking views of humpback and minke whales, sandboard the stunning Stockton Sand Dunes, and visit a wildlife sanctuary. This unforgettable adventure combines nature's wonders with exhilarating activities, making it a must-do from Sydney between June and October.
For the very best views of the annual whale migration, join our Port Stephens whale watching Tour!
Duration
11 hours
About
Every year between June & October, close to 10,000 humpback and minke whales migrate along the East Coast of Australia. Witness the greatness of these extraordinary creatures on our whale watching trip in Port Stephens, and spot some of the dolphins that live in these waters. However today we will treat you to more than whale watching only, we also take you to a working wildlife sanctuary and you will go sandboarding!
Trip Inclusions
- Experienced Driver Guide
- Return air conditioned vehicle transfers from Sydney to Port Stephens
- Sandboard the impressive Stockton Sand Dunes
- Whale Watching Cruise (2.5 hours)
Trip Itinerary
- One of our awesome guides will pick you up early morning and soon you'll find yourself going over the Sydney Harbour Bridge towards the mid north coast of New South Wales.
A brief refreshment stop on the way before we take you sandboarding at Stockton Beach! We will jump in a big 4WD and cruise over the huge Anna Bay dunes to find the biggest drops possible to go down! Embrace the challenge, take a deep breath and whizz down huge the sand dunes on a boards especially designed to fly down sand!
When we arrive at Port Stephens, take a break for lunch (own expense) at Nelson Bay, the main town of Port Stephens. There are a few cute little souvenir shops around so feel free to have a browse and take in the local atmosphere.
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Then we board a boat to go whale watching! The Australian whale watching season runs from June to October so if you get the chance to book this tour, you're in luck! Plenty of whale will be playfully showing off some acrobatics as they make their way along the coast for their annual migration!
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Our Port Stephens whale watching day tour departs every from Sydney during whale season (June - Oct). Looking forward to having you on our tour so we can show you to this stunning part of Oz!
Own Expenses
- Lunch (bring a packed lunch or grab lunch at one of the Nelson Bay cafes)
Adventure Tips
Wear Sunscreen and a Hat
Open dunes and boat decks offer little shade—protect yourself against sunburn throughout the day.
Bring Binoculars for Wildlife Viewing
Though whales often come close, binoculars enhance your chances of spotting distant marine mammals and dolphins.
Prepare for Sandboarding
Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes suitable for sand and quick movement on the dunes.
Pack a Lunch or Budget for Nelson Bay
Lunch is not included; either bring your own or try cafes in the Nelson Bay town centre.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Humpback whales
- Bottlenose dolphins
History
Port Stephens has long been an important fishing and cultural area for the Worimi people, who have managed the local land and waters for thousands of years.
Conservation
The whale watching tours operate under guidelines aiming to minimize disturbance to marine life and support ongoing research and conservation efforts in the region.
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Adventure Hotspots in Sydney
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sunscreen
Protect your skin during extended outdoor activities on the dunes and boat.
summer specific
Binoculars
Useful for seeing distant whales and dolphins during the cruise.
Layered Clothing
Bring layers to adapt to changing temperatures especially on water and dunes.
fall specific
Closed-Toe Shoes
Protect your feet during sandboarding and walking on dunes.