Shoal Bay Shores Guidebook
Sightseeing
A walk to the Mount Tomaree summit is a great way to take in Shoal Bay and surrounds. It's a fairly strenuous walk to the summit, with paths and stairs the whole way. The view is definitely worth the effort!
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Montaña Tomaree
A walk to the Mount Tomaree summit is a great way to take in Shoal Bay and surrounds. It's a fairly strenuous walk to the summit, with paths and stairs the whole way. The view is definitely worth the effort!
Lots of great walks and secluded beaches. Zenith beach is a stunning paradise which is fairly easy to access. Box Beach is a little further from Shoal Bay centre, but also easy to access by car, bike or on foot. Wreck Beach is the most challenging to reach by foot.
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Parque Nacional Tomaree
Lots of great walks and secluded beaches. Zenith beach is a stunning paradise which is fairly easy to access. Box Beach is a little further from Shoal Bay centre, but also easy to access by car, bike or on foot. Wreck Beach is the most challenging to reach by foot.
If you want a super protected beach for little people, Little Beach is around 5 minutes walk from Shoal Bay Shores. It is a calm and shallow beach, perfect for kids. There are areas for BBQ'ing and to have a picnic. There's a takeaway shop, Bites on the Bay if you didn't pack your lunch. It is also a great place to watch the sunset.
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Reserva de Little Beach
Beach RoadIf you want a super protected beach for little people, Little Beach is around 5 minutes walk from Shoal Bay Shores. It is a calm and shallow beach, perfect for kids. There are areas for BBQ'ing and to have a picnic. There's a takeaway shop, Bites on the Bay if you didn't pack your lunch. It is also a great place to watch the sunset.
A panoramic view point perched on top of Gan Gan Hill, just off the main road as you enter/leave Nelson Bay. It's a wonderful place to take in the splendour of the Port Stephens area.
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Mirador Gan Gan
Lily Hill RoadA panoramic view point perched on top of Gan Gan Hill, just off the main road as you enter/leave Nelson Bay. It's a wonderful place to take in the splendour of the Port Stephens area.
Fingal Bay is a short drive, 20 minute cycle or hour walk from Shoal Bay Shores. It has a lovely large stretch of beach, with the Fingal Spit on the northern end and Barry Park look out on the southern end. The Fingal Bay Surf Club has a few options for dining - the kiosk near the entrance to the beach, a cafe downstairs and Saltwater restaurant upstairs.
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Fingal Bay
Fingal Bay is a short drive, 20 minute cycle or hour walk from Shoal Bay Shores. It has a lovely large stretch of beach, with the Fingal Spit on the northern end and Barry Park look out on the southern end. The Fingal Bay Surf Club has a few options for dining - the kiosk near the entrance to the beach, a cafe downstairs and Saltwater restaurant upstairs.
There's lots to do and see at Birubi Beach! Home to the famous Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, located in Worimi Conservation Lands at Anna Bay. There are lots of activities you can do on the dunes including quad biking, sandboarding or horse and camel ride. You can also 4WD on the dunes if you have a permit. Crest and Birubi Beach is a great place for a bite to eat overlooking the ocean and the dunes.
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Birubi Beach
73 James Paterson StThere's lots to do and see at Birubi Beach! Home to the famous Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, located in Worimi Conservation Lands at Anna Bay. There are lots of activities you can do on the dunes including quad biking, sandboarding or horse and camel ride. You can also 4WD on the dunes if you have a permit. Crest and Birubi Beach is a great place for a bite to eat overlooking the ocean and the dunes.
There are ferry services running daily between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens. You might spot a dolphin or two on the ride across. You can take the bikes over and explore the other side of the bay, hire a kayak or stroll the waterfront and check out the local galleries, shops and cafes. The pub at Tea Gardens is a great spot for lunch or a drink after exploring the area, before taking the ferry back to Nelson Bay. Search Port Stephens Ferry Service to check out the ferry schedule and book your seats.
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Tea Gardens
There are ferry services running daily between Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens. You might spot a dolphin or two on the ride across. You can take the bikes over and explore the other side of the bay, hire a kayak or stroll the waterfront and check out the local galleries, shops and cafes. The pub at Tea Gardens is a great spot for lunch or a drink after exploring the area, before taking the ferry back to Nelson Bay. Search Port Stephens Ferry Service to check out the ferry schedule and book your seats.
Nelson Bay Golf Club is a 5 minute drive, if you're keen for a hit. The Club is open to visitors. Bluewater Grill is a great spot for lunch or dinner at sunset where you can watch the Kangaroos on the course after the golfers have left for the day.
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Nelson Bay Golf Club
57 Dowling StNelson Bay Golf Club is a 5 minute drive, if you're keen for a hit. The Club is open to visitors. Bluewater Grill is a great spot for lunch or dinner at sunset where you can watch the Kangaroos on the course after the golfers have left for the day.
This is a good spot to do some whale watching, from the shore, between May and November. There is a whale watching spot on the north head. Boat Harbour is around a 20 minute drive from Shoal Bay Shores.
There are whale watching tours that leave from Nelson Bay if you'd like to see these majestic creatures from the water instead.
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Boat Harbour
This is a good spot to do some whale watching, from the shore, between May and November. There is a whale watching spot on the north head. Boat Harbour is around a 20 minute drive from Shoal Bay Shores.
There are whale watching tours that leave from Nelson Bay if you'd like to see these majestic creatures from the water instead.
Food scene
This modern Greek restaurant in Shoal Bay is a great place for a special dinner. The food is delicious and plentiful and the cocktails are pretty good too. Best enjoyed with a larger group so you can share lots of dishes. It's good in a smaller group too, but you'll just need to come back to try all the dishes you couldn't fit in!
I recommend you book in advance to get a table. In Summer and over school holidays, get your booking a couple of weeks in advance to avoid disappointment.
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Atmos
35-45 Shoal Bay RoadThis modern Greek restaurant in Shoal Bay is a great place for a special dinner. The food is delicious and plentiful and the cocktails are pretty good too. Best enjoyed with a larger group so you can share lots of dishes. It's good in a smaller group too, but you'll just need to come back to try all the dishes you couldn't fit in!
I recommend you book in advance to get a table. In Summer and over school holidays, get your booking a couple of weeks in advance to avoid disappointment.
This restaurant over the Fingal Bay Surf Club is an easy going restaurant, with great cocktails and fabulous specials list. You can usually book a table on the day, but better to book earlier over summer and school holidays.
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Saltwater Restaurant Fingal Bay
3 Marine DrThis restaurant over the Fingal Bay Surf Club is an easy going restaurant, with great cocktails and fabulous specials list. You can usually book a table on the day, but better to book earlier over summer and school holidays.
For a special occasion, book in at Rick Steins at Bannisters in Soldiers Point. There are some exceptional seasonal seafood dishes on the menu from this renowned chef.
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Rick Stein at Bannisters
191 Mitchell ParadeFor a special occasion, book in at Rick Steins at Bannisters in Soldiers Point. There are some exceptional seasonal seafood dishes on the menu from this renowned chef.
Located in the Bannisters complex in Soldiers Point, Cheeky Dog is a good option for a casual pub meal or a drink. You can choose to sit inside or outdoors and the extensive menu will have something for everyone.
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Cheeky Dog
147 Soldiers Point RdLocated in the Bannisters complex in Soldiers Point, Cheeky Dog is a good option for a casual pub meal or a drink. You can choose to sit inside or outdoors and the extensive menu will have something for everyone.
This cafe is never disappoints - great coffee and a solid breakfast and lunch menu, it's a local favourite. It's attached to a fabulous homewares store, where you'll find lots of elegant coastal items to take a piece of the Bay home with you!
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IN HOUSE Kitchen
41 Donald StThis cafe is never disappoints - great coffee and a solid breakfast and lunch menu, it's a local favourite. It's attached to a fabulous homewares store, where you'll find lots of elegant coastal items to take a piece of the Bay home with you!
This started as a pop up Mexican in Bannisters and was so good it's now a more permanent fixture. Tasty snacks and tacos pair perfectly with the sensational margaritas. Dine out on the terrace for extra atmosphere.
Terrace Bar
147 Soldiers Point RoadThis started as a pop up Mexican in Bannisters and was so good it's now a more permanent fixture. Tasty snacks and tacos pair perfectly with the sensational margaritas. Dine out on the terrace for extra atmosphere.
This restaurant is a 40-45 minute drive, but the food is worth the trip! Modern French is the general theme, using the best seasonal produce and local seafood. This is a bit of a hidden gem overlooking the marina at Lemon Tree Passage. Book in advance.
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The Poyer's
42 Cook ParadeThis restaurant is a 40-45 minute drive, but the food is worth the trip! Modern French is the general theme, using the best seasonal produce and local seafood. This is a bit of a hidden gem overlooking the marina at Lemon Tree Passage. Book in advance.
This restaurant is around a 6 minute walk from Shoal Bay Shores. Upstairs is a restaurant with generous dishes overlooking Little Beach. Bookings recommended or the restaurant.
Downstairs is an alfresco bar called Below Deck. Enjoy the sunset to the west with a sundowner and casual snacks. No bookings for Below Deck, but check the website before going as the hours change throughout the year.
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Little Beach Boathouse
4 Victoria ParadeThis restaurant is around a 6 minute walk from Shoal Bay Shores. Upstairs is a restaurant with generous dishes overlooking Little Beach. Bookings recommended or the restaurant.
Downstairs is an alfresco bar called Below Deck. Enjoy the sunset to the west with a sundowner and casual snacks. No bookings for Below Deck, but check the website before going as the hours change throughout the year.
The terrace at Shoal Bay Country Club is a fabulous place for a sundowner or a drink to reward your hike up Mt Tomaree! This extensive venue is located across the road from the beach and Jetty. The menu has all the crowd pleasers on it, from pizza to burgers, salads and pasta.
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Shoal Bay Country Club
35-45 Shoal Bay RdThe terrace at Shoal Bay Country Club is a fabulous place for a sundowner or a drink to reward your hike up Mt Tomaree! This extensive venue is located across the road from the beach and Jetty. The menu has all the crowd pleasers on it, from pizza to burgers, salads and pasta.
Pick up some takeaway beers on the way to Shoal Bay Shores or stop in for lunch. The lovely alfresco beer garden is great for a long lunch or couple of afternoon beers.
You can book High Tea or dinner at Land at Murrays for something a little more refined.
If you want to make a day of it during your stay, you can book a shuttle bus through Murrays. It's recommended you call them as far as possible in advance to organise this.
You can buy your takeaway beers and other boutique and local items from the gift store.
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Murray's Brewery
3443 Nelson Bay RdPick up some takeaway beers on the way to Shoal Bay Shores or stop in for lunch. The lovely alfresco beer garden is great for a long lunch or couple of afternoon beers.
You can book High Tea or dinner at Land at Murrays for something a little more refined.
If you want to make a day of it during your stay, you can book a shuttle bus through Murrays. It's recommended you call them as far as possible in advance to organise this.
You can buy your takeaway beers and other boutique and local items from the gift store.
Fish + Chips on the beach - an Australian classic! Aussie Bob's is just across the road from the beach. Lots of options to choose from and generous serves. This is the type of Aussie Fish & Chip shop every coastal town needs.
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Aussie Bob's Fish & Chips
2A Tomaree RdFish + Chips on the beach - an Australian classic! Aussie Bob's is just across the road from the beach. Lots of options to choose from and generous serves. This is the type of Aussie Fish & Chip shop every coastal town needs.
Casual Italian restaurant in Shoal Bay - all the usual pizzas and pastas. Book to eat in or call in advance for take away.
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Gianni's
55 Shoal Bay RdCasual Italian restaurant in Shoal Bay - all the usual pizzas and pastas. Book to eat in or call in advance for take away.
A great café for breakfast and lunch, also open for dinner Thursday-Saturday nights.
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Zenith Cafe, Restaurant and Bar
59 Shoal Bay RoadA great café for breakfast and lunch, also open for dinner Thursday-Saturday nights.
Neighbourhoods
Shoal Bay town is around 12 minutes walk from Shoal Bay Shores (maybe a bit more if you walk along the beach) or 3 minute drive. This town on your doorstep has everything you could want from a small coastal town and more. Shoal Bay is lovely stretch of beach, a lively jetty, lovely bush walks, a range of cafes, restaurants and shops.
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Shoal Bay
Shoal Bay town is around 12 minutes walk from Shoal Bay Shores (maybe a bit more if you walk along the beach) or 3 minute drive. This town on your doorstep has everything you could want from a small coastal town and more. Shoal Bay is lovely stretch of beach, a lively jetty, lovely bush walks, a range of cafes, restaurants and shops.
Nelson Bay is around 5 minutes drive or 20 minutes walk from Shoal Bay Shores. It's larger than Shoal Bay and has a few more options in terms of shopping and dining. There are two main areas; the marina and the main streets bordered by Victoria Parade, Stockton st, Donald st and Yacaaba st.
The main streets have a number of restaurants, cafes, shops, clothing and homewares stores. There's a full sized Woolworths supermarket to get your groceries.
There are a number of areas on the water of interest:
- The d'Albora Marina has a range of restaurants, shops, ice cream shops and more.
- To the east of the marina is where many of the Dolphin and Whale watching boats depart, as well as the Port Stephens Ferry.
- To the west of the marina is the Fish Markets - there are a couple of fresh seafood stores and casual seafood cafes and restaurants
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Nelson Bay
Nelson Bay is around 5 minutes drive or 20 minutes walk from Shoal Bay Shores. It's larger than Shoal Bay and has a few more options in terms of shopping and dining. There are two main areas; the marina and the main streets bordered by Victoria Parade, Stockton st, Donald st and Yacaaba st.
The main streets have a number of restaurants, cafes, shops, clothing and homewares stores. There's a full sized Woolworths supermarket to get your groceries.
There are a number of areas on the water of interest:
- The d'Albora Marina has a range of restaurants, shops, ice cream shops and more.
- To the east of the marina is where many of the Dolphin and Whale watching boats depart, as well as the Port Stephens Ferry.
- To the west of the marina is the Fish Markets - there are a couple of fresh seafood stores and casual seafood cafes and restaurants