Newcastle to Port Stephens: Whale Watching, Hike & Dunes

Eight hours to see humpback whales, climb a coastal summit, and stand above Stockton Beach's shifting dunes

A full-day tour from Newcastle to Port Stephens combines a 2.2 km hike up Mount Tomaree for panoramic views, a 2.5-hour whale-watching cruise during the May-to-November migration season, and a stop at Stockton Beach's massive sand dunes. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Newcastle are included, along with a local guide for the day. Lunch at the Game Fish Club is at your own cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale watching, hike, and dunes visit

• Hike Mount Tomaree summit
• Enjoy seafood lunch with ocean views
• Take 2.5-hour whale watching cruise
• Visit lookout over moving sand dunes

The experience

The day starts with a drive of roughly 75 minutes from your Newcastle hotel to Port Stephens. Once there, you climb Mount Tomaree: a 2.2 km walk that rises 161 metres above the entrance to the bay. The summit walk is steep enough to earn the effort: from the north platform you see Yacaaba Head, Cabbage Tree, Boondelbah and Broughton Islands, nature reserves that are the only nesting grounds for the endangered Gould's petrel. The south platform opens onto Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches, Fingal Island and Point Stephens Lighthouse. If the full climb doesn't suit you, a flatter coastal walk covers the same ground at a gentler pace.

After the hike, you board either the Hinchinbrook Explorer or the MV Osprey for a 2.5-hour whale cruise. During the migration season (May to November), over 40,000 humpback whales pass the NSW coast, and you watch them from spacious indoor and outdoor viewing decks. The whales (up to 40 tons and 18 metres long) breach, spy-hop, slap their pectoral fins and roll their bodies. The captain provides commentary, and you'll also spot Australian fur seals, common and bottlenose dolphins, and seabirds. A fully licensed bar serves drinks and snacks throughout the cruise.

Lunch happens at the Newcastle & Port Stephens Game Fish Club, where you order from a menu of fresh seafood (calamari, prawns, squid and fish), or choose chicken, beef or vegetarian options. Kids' menus are available. The meal is at your own cost, but the views over the bay come free. The tour finishes at a lookout over Stockton Beach, where the Southern Hemisphere's largest moving coastal sand dunes stretch across the landscape, constantly shifting and reshaping themselves. The return drive to Newcastle takes another 75 minutes.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle from your Newcastle hotel.
• Mount Tomaree summit walk with a flatter coastal option.
• 2.5-hour whale-watching cruise aboard the Hinchinbrook Explorer or MV Osprey with indoor and outdoor viewing decks.
• access to the fully licensed bar and snacks on the boat.
• viewpoint over Stockton Beach sand dunes.
• return transport to your Newcastle accommodation.
• local guide for the full day.

Before you book

Days and timesSundayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Youth (7 to 13 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 11 · max 7 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 38 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Newy Tour Co.

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and leads the group through the day, so you follow the commentary on the boat and the walking pace on the summit. Children are welcome from age 7, making this a family-friendly option for the full eight-hour experience.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 13 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I do the Mount Tomaree walk if I'm not a strong hiker?

Mount Tomaree has a flatter coastal walk option that covers the same sights without the steep climb to the 161-metre summit, so you can choose based on your fitness level on the day.

When do the whale cruises run, and how often do you actually see whales?

Cruises run from May to November during the humpback migration, when over 40,000 whales pass the NSW coast. The migration is a predictable seasonal event, though sightings depend on weather and sea conditions on the day you go.

What's included in the price, and what do I pay extra for?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Newcastle, the air-conditioned vehicle, the Mount Tomaree walk, the whale cruise and the sand dunes viewpoint are all included. Lunch at the Game Fish Club is at your own cost, and you can order from the full menu or choose vegetarian and kids' options.

How long is the drive from Newcastle to Port Stephens?

The drive is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes each way, so you spend about 2.5 hours on the road for the full day.

What wildlife might I see besides the whales?

During the whale cruise, keep watch for Australian fur seals, common and bottlenose dolphins, and seabirds around the outer islands. The Mount Tomaree islands are nesting grounds for the endangered Gould's petrel.