There are a number of reasons people decide to travel or take a quick trip as a group. From getting away with a group of friends to socialize or visiting a place you’ve always wanted to go, to take advantage of group discounts, team building or traveling to a see or take part in a competitive team event, just to name a few!
Regardless of whether you’re looking at taking a family trip or getting away with a group of friends or colleagues, there are group accommodation and activity options that can meet everybody’s needs and ensure the time spent is enjoyable and relaxing.
4 Great Group Getaways in Port Stephens
The Retreat Port Stephens wants you to make the most of your group travel adventure, so we’ve put together some great ideas for you to consider for your next group getaway:
1. A Memorable Group Fishing Adventure
If you and your family or friends love fishing, or you’ve always wanted to experience the thrill of big game fishing, a group fishing adventure is the perfect activity – and Port Stephens, NSW has some of the best fishing in the state.
The beauty of a taking a group getaway and going on a group fishing adventure together, is that you can take a weekend away, go to a beautiful coastal location and enjoy one of your favourite pastimes without having to worry about a thing! Even better, the crew are generally experienced anglers with heaps of local knowledge, so they can take your group to the best fishing locations in the area.
Most fishing tours – whether they’re big game fishing tours or beach fishing adventures – supply all the gear you need, including bait, tackle and 1-day fishing license; some tours include refreshments, while others even allow BYO.
You don’t have to take your boat or 4WD away with you or pack bait and tackle in your car (unless you specifically want to take your favourite rod or lure with you, that is) or try to find somewhere to buy bait when you get to your destination.
Calypso Fishing Adventures run full day game fishing tours out of the Anchorage Marina with tantalising tour itineraries for all budgets and skill levels, so everyone can enjoy themselves.
If beach fishing and off-roading are more your style, Port Stephens Beach Fishing Safaris runs half-day 4WD beach fishing tours that can be tailored to your needs so the whole family can enjoy the adventure and either get in on the fishing action or relax under cover on the beach. Your group can explore the extensive sand dunes of Port Stephens in a fully kitted out 4WD, secure in the knowledge that there’s another 4WD close by to get you out of trouble if need be.
2. Embark on a Magical Whale Watching Cruise
May to November is whale-watching season, right along the east coast of NSW. If your group is keen to see these majestic creatures up close, Port Stephens is one of the absolute best whale watching locations in Australia.
There are a number of dolphin and whale watching cruise operators that run cruises out of d’Albora Marina in Nelson Bay, with sturdy, quiet, and well-appointed boats and catamarans, so you can get nice and close to the action while staying warm and protected. Check out Moonshadow-TQC Cruises, Dolphin Swim Australia, or Imagine Cruises for some amazing cruises with set itineraries.
If you have a bigger group, or you’d rather enjoy a bespoke cruise just for your group, you could even charter a boat and organise your own itinerary with the cruise operator. Moonshadow-TQC charters, Imagine Cruises charters, and Blue Water Sailing offer private cruises of Port Stephens and surrounding waters, for a variety of group sizes.
3. Enjoy an Adventure-Packed Stockton Sand Dunes Experience
Stockton Sand Dunes comprise the largest moving coastal sand mass in the southern hemisphere, and some of the dunes can up to 40m high at times! If you want to experience and explore the ever-changing Stockton Sands and spend time admiring the beautiful coastline of Newcastle and Port Stephens, why not book your group in for one of these amazing activities on offer in the dunes?
Sand Dune Quad Biking
For those looking for an adrenalin-fueled group quad biking adventure, Quad Bike King offers quad biking group packages for a range of different occasions, and Sand Dune Adventures also runs group quad bike tours, with generous discounts for groups of 20 people or more. If you like the idea of quad biking, but you’d like a little extra thrown into the mix, Sand Dune Adventure also offers a 1.5hr Aboriginal Culture, Sand Boarding and Quad Bike Tour.
Sand Dune Horse or Camel Riding
If you like the idea of exploring the beach and dunes, but you’d prefer a little less velocity, why not book your group in for a horse riding or camel riding experience?
Guided 4WD Experiences
For those looking for something in between these two extremes, or a little more protected, perhaps you could consider booking your group in for a fully-guided 4WD tour of the dunes?
4. Spend A Weekend with Friends on The Golf Course
There’s a lot to be said for the peace and relaxation that can be experienced on a pristine, immaculately kept golf course and Port Stephens is a great place to start. Home to some world-class golf courses, visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to playing golf in Port Stephens, with:
- 18-hole championship courses at Medowie, Salamander Bay and Nelson Bay.
- An excellent 18-hole par 71 course at Raymond Terrace.
- Port Stephens’ only all-weather course at Tanilba Bay.
For a fantastic group golf getaway, experience-dealer, Adrenaline, has reasonably priced weekday and weekend golf experiences on offer at the exclusive, world class Pacific Dunes Golf Club. Your group can play a full 18 holes of golf on a 6403m par 72 course, with free golf cart hire and lunch included, then kick on at the Club’s restaurant and bar for as long as you like.
Contact the Retreat Port Stephens and book your group getaway today!
The Retreat Port Stephens offers laid back, affordable, group accommodation in natural bushland surrounds overlooking the Birubi Beach sand dunes. We would love to help you and your group plan the perfect group getaway in Port Stephens, so if you’d like some advice from a local, or need help planning your group getaway itinerary, contact The Retreat Port Stephens on (02) 4982 1244 or fill out our contact form by clicking here to have one of our friendly staff contact you.
