Keep active with an exciting adventure-packed weekend in Port Stephens! There are many indoor and outdoor activities available near Port Stephens to make it a weekend for the whole family to remember. Here are some of The Retreat Port Stephens’ top picks for you to check out while you’re staying with us.
Adventure activities for all in Port Stephens
Sahara Trails Horse Riding
Sahara Trails Horse Riding is a well-known experience with 35-years of local knowledge in Port Stephens and is a must-do activity for those looking for an adventure weekend in NSW.
You can take a scenic guided horse trail or view many of the horse riding packages from beginner to intermediate that Sahara Trails Horse Riding offers starting from $65 per child and $70 per adult.
Go Karting
Go Karts Go Nelson Bay is an adventure experience like no other, with the fastest 4-stroke go-karts and the largest, most exciting, outdoor 4-stroke go-kart track situated in Nelson Bay.
In addition to the latest and greatest European go-karts, Go Karts Go Nelson Bay also boasts twin seater go-karts and specially-designed junior go-karts that enable them to accommodate passengers from as young as 5 years old. With such a wide range of karts and seating options, go-karting at Go Karts Go Nelson Bay is a great, adrenaline-fuelled adventure activity for the entire family.
Newcastle Dark Stories: True Crime Tour
If you love a good true crime story and want to learn more about Newcastle’s dark past and unsavoury characters, while getting an up-close view of the city’s top end, with its historical buildings and stunning harbour and foreshore, Newcastle’s True Crime Tour is the adventure activity for you!
Enjoy a unique after-dark guided walking tour of the city that will visit the haunts of the city’s most sinister men and leave you shocked at the city’s shady past and violent underbelly. The tour’s leisurely pace gives participants ample time to enjoy the scenery and breathe Newcastle’s delicious salt air while also offering a stunning backdrop with plenty of photo opportunities.
Slice Virtual Golf
Slice Virtual Golf is a unique experience that’s as close to regular golf as it gets. Using a real golf club and a real golf ball, coupled with a state-of-the-art OptiGolf simulator, you can experience the thrill of playing a round of virtual golf at some of the world’s most well-known courses. As you and your group play your round you can also devour delicious pizzas that are freshly made on-site and enjoy your beverage of choice from their fully-stocked, licensed bar.
While Slice Virtual Golf is a super fun indoor adventure activity available for the whole family, there are some conditions… Slice Virtual Golf is a licensed venue so, much like a pub, all guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Port Stephens Helicopter Flight
View the beautiful scenery of Newcastle and Port Stephens from the sky during an adventure-packed Port Stephens helicopter ride with Aero Logistics. Spend up to 45 minutes flying over Anna Bay, Fingal Lighthouse, Hawkes Nest and Mount Tomaree National Park, sweeping down over the rolling sand dunes of Stockton Beach for amazing views of shipwrecked remains and glimpses of Tin City. You may also be able to recognise some scenes from the 1979 movie Mad Max.
If you’re a keen watcher of whales and other marine life, there’s no better place to spot them than from the air – and Port Stephens has one of the richest marine parks in NSW.
Snorkelling & Diving in Nelson Bay
Let’s Go Adventures offers guided snorkelling and scuba diving tours with experienced diving instructors. Whether you’re an experienced diver or snorkeller who wants a full off-shore boat dive experience, or a less experience diver or snorkeller who would rather stay in the protected waters closer to shore, Let’s Go Adventures – Dive Nelson Bay has a dive experience to suit you.
Let’s Go Adventures – Dive Nelson Bay is Port Stephens’ only PADI 5-star Instructional Development Centre, boasting a team of PADI professionals who can instruct divers at all levels in a wide range of dive techniques, including snorkelling and freediving. They even have dive and snorkel rental available for those who don’t have their own scuba equipment or snorkelling gear.
Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters
Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters is an educational facility that is both affordable and fun for the whole family – and it’s located just 5 minutes away from The Retreat Port Stephens.
This is a great opportunity to experience many aquatic animal encounters such as sharks and rays – it also can be a great opportunity for children and teenagers to interact and learn about these amazing creatures.
The team at Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters is highly knowledgeable, and they are passionate to share what they know about our aquatic wildlife and their conservation.
Stockton Sand Dunes
Stock Sand Dunes offers bountiful opportunities for kids, teens, and adults alike. For those looking to chill out, sit back and relax while enjoying the view or taking in the ambience from the café. For the thrill-seekers, there are even more possibilities such as surfing, camel rides (through Oakfield Ranch), quad bike rentals or surfing lessons.
4WD Tours R Us has a sandboarding experience that has glowing reviews on TripAdvisor with guests saying they cannot wait to return and found the whole experience to be an absolute thrill.
Tin City Safari
Also located at Stockton Sand Dunes, the Tin City Safari explores a hidden and historic village – at some point you may even find yourself questioning if you are seeing a mirage! Tin City was built in the 1900s when shipwreck survivors built two tin shacks. This squatter settlement grew in the 1930s and still stands today. In conjunction, you can also experience sandboarding or driving over the massive sand dunes.
Contact The Retreat Port Stephens and book your adventure weekend today!
The Retreat Port Stephens is no stranger to weekend adventurers! If you are planning a thrill-seeking adventure in Port Stephens and need help with accommodation, questions or planning local activities, be sure to contact us on (02) 4982 1244. Alternatively, send an email to bookings@theretreatportstephens.com.au or complete our contact form to have one of our friendly team members contact you.
