Port Stephens dolphin tour: Dolphins, koalas, sandboarding

Stockton Beach sand dunes are the largest mobile dune system in the Southern Hemisphere, and you sandboard down them.

This full-day tour from Sydney to Port Stephens combines a 90-minute dolphin watching cruise on turquoise waters, a visit to the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary with elevated tree-canopy viewing, and sandboarding on Stockton Beach's massive sand dunes. Return coach transport from Sydney, all entry fees, sandboards and a 4WD experience are included; lunch is at your own expense in Nelson Bay.

Step-by-step itinerary

Port Stephens nature and adventure tour

• Join 90-minute dolphin watching cruise
• Have lunch in Nelson Bay
• Visit Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
• Take 4WD tour to Stockton sand dunes
• Enjoy sandboarding adventure
• Return to Sydney, drop off at station

The Experience

Port Stephens sits 2.5 hours north of Sydney and holds roughly 140 bottlenose dolphins in its natural harbour. The day starts with a 90-minute Dolphin Discovery Cruise on the turquoise waters with Moonshadow Cruises, where the dolphins move around the boat and ride the bow waves. You'll also see pelicans, sea eagles, and seals; in winter months, humpback whales pass through. The boat carries a boom net at the rear where you can swim in warmer months if you bring a change of clothes.

After the cruise, lunch is your choice from local dining options in Nelson Bay. Then you visit the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, a $10 million conservation project that rehabilitates sick, injured and orphaned koalas for release back into the wild. A flat 250-meter pathway called the Sanctuary Story Walk winds past large koala sculptures that explain the animal and its habitat. The centrepiece is the SKYwalk, a 225-meter elevated pathway with viewing platforms built into the tree canopy where you see koalas in the wild without leaving the walkway.

The final stop is Stockton Beach, where a 19-seater 4WD red bus takes you 2km to the sand dunes themselves. Stockton is a coastal desert 32 kilometres long and the largest mobile sand dune system in the Southern Hemisphere. Your sandboarding guide gives safety instructions and technique tips, then you sandboard down the dunes. The operator calls it soft adventure but describes it as hard-core family fun, and it suits toddlers through grandparents. You return to Sydney with complimentary snacks on the coach back, dropping at Central Train Station or Furama Darling Harbour.

What’s included

• Return coach transport from Sydney to Port Stephens.
• a 90-minute Dolphin Discovery Cruise with Moonshadow Cruises on Port Stephens Marine Park.
• entry to the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary with access to the Story Walk and elevated SKYwalk viewing platforms.
• a 4WD experience on Birubi Beach.
• sandboards and instruction on Stockton Beach sand dunes.
• bottled water.
• complimentary snacks on the return journey.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Brighton Tours - Gray Line Sydney

Is this one for you?Book the English-speaking option if you want a guide who explains the wildlife and the sanctuary's conservation work as you go; the Mandarin-speaking option if you prefer instruction and commentary in Mandarin. Either way, the coach transport from Sydney and the fixed itinerary mean you don't arrange pickups, entry times or logistics — you show up and the day unfolds.

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Top questions

How many dolphins will I see on the Port Stephens cruise?

Port Stephens is home to roughly 140 bottlenose dolphins, and they regularly interact with the boat during the 90-minute Dolphin Discovery Cruise, surfing the bow waves and playing around the vessel. Pelicans, sea eagles and seals are also common sightings; humpback whales pass through in winter months.

What is the Koala Sanctuary SKYwalk?

The SKYwalk is a 225-meter elevated pathway with viewing platforms built into the tree canopy, giving you a rare chance to see wild koalas at eye level without disturbing them. It's the final part of your Sanctuary visit after the flat 250-meter Story Walk and the Koala Hospital viewing.

Is sandboarding difficult, and who can do it?

Sandboarding on Stockton Beach is classified as soft adventure and is suitable for toddlers through grandparents. Your guide gives safety instructions and technique tips before you board down the dunes, and the operator describes it as very safe family fun.

What's included in the tour price, and what do I pay separately?

The tour includes return coach transport from Sydney, the dolphin cruise, koala sanctuary entry, the 4WD experience, sandboards, bottled water and complimentary snacks on the return journey. Lunch in Nelson Bay is at your own expense, and you choose from local dining options.

How long is the full day, and what time do I return to Sydney?

The tour runs for 12 hours total, departing Sydney and returning to Central Train Station or Furama Darling Harbour. The itinerary covers the dolphin cruise, koala sanctuary, lunch break, and sandboarding, with coach transport between each stop.

Can I swim during the dolphin cruise?

In warmer months, you can swim in the boom net at the rear of the boat if you bring a swimming costume and a change of clothes. The net is available during the 90-minute cruise on Port Stephens' turquoise waters.