Guidebook for Nelson Bay /Shoal Bay/Fingal Bay
Food Scene
Zenith Cafe, Restaurant and Bar
59 Shoal Bay RoadGreat coffee, food
Nice vibe to catch up with friends for an afternoon cocktail on the deck overlooking the water or dinner with views. Bookings essential for the restaurant, check the shares plates menu.
110 locals recommend
Little Beach Boathouse
4 Victoria ParadeNice vibe to catch up with friends for an afternoon cocktail on the deck overlooking the water or dinner with views. Bookings essential for the restaurant, check the shares plates menu.
Shoal Bay Country Club
35-45 Shoal Bay RdEasy relaxed atmosphere so nice for a cocktail with a view
Modern dining, Greek cuisine.
Perfect for a small group especially if you can sit outside on a beautiful day. Service was great.
19 locals recommend
Atmos
35-45 Shoal Bay RoadModern dining, Greek cuisine.
Perfect for a small group especially if you can sit outside on a beautiful day. Service was great.
Great service and fantastic view over Fingal Beach. Delicious varied menu. Great for families too. Just love the Sprocket coffee. They have a lift so easy for a pram.
20 locals recommend
Saltwater Restaurant Fingal Bay
3 Marine DrGreat service and fantastic view over Fingal Beach. Delicious varied menu. Great for families too. Just love the Sprocket coffee. They have a lift so easy for a pram.
Seriously the best sourdough and Single O coffee. Try a slice of their pudding to serve up at home with custard and icecream. Sooo soo good.
16 locals recommend
Two Bobs Bakery
8 Yacaaba StSeriously the best sourdough and Single O coffee. Try a slice of their pudding to serve up at home with custard and icecream. Sooo soo good.
Seriously good coffee (P&R) and open for breakfast and lunch. Booking recommended
70 locals recommend
The Little Nel
7 Government RdSeriously good coffee (P&R) and open for breakfast and lunch. Booking recommended
Great value meals at Blue Water Grill. Quick service and when booking request a view over the golf course to see the kangaroos.
35 locals recommend
Nelson Bay Golf Club
57 Dowling StGreat value meals at Blue Water Grill. Quick service and when booking request a view over the golf course to see the kangaroos.
Bannisters Port Stephens
147 Soldiers Point RdFine dining for that very special occasion.
So great after a walk or ride to Fingal. Nice to get a coffee or chips while beaching it..
18 locals recommend
Longboat Cafe
3 Marine DrSo great after a walk or ride to Fingal. Nice to get a coffee or chips while beaching it..
Nice cafe at Nelson Bay
71A Victoria ParadeGood coffee always a must combined a delicious breakfast
Service is great, enjoy a glass of something cold or a great coffee "Botanica" Check whether they are serving meals
16 locals recommend
Cellar Cafe
12 Market StService is great, enjoy a glass of something cold or a great coffee "Botanica" Check whether they are serving meals
Sightseeing
A walk up Tomaree Summit Walk gives you 360° views over Fingal Spit and Box, Wreck, Zenith beach, out towards Hawkes Nest and to Broughton Island and over Port Stephens waterway. Spectacular and well worth it. To follow up look at the walk from Bushwalking Port Stephen to access Box,Wreck and Zenith beaches.
8 locals recommend
Tomaree Head
A walk up Tomaree Summit Walk gives you 360° views over Fingal Spit and Box, Wreck, Zenith beach, out towards Hawkes Nest and to Broughton Island and over Port Stephens waterway. Spectacular and well worth it. To follow up look at the walk from Bushwalking Port Stephen to access Box,Wreck and Zenith beaches.
Lily Hill Road
Lily Hill RoadLily Hill is not very well know but a great view to get your bearings.
The views are so so good you must visit even for just a walk around the inner lighthouse museum and grounds. If you wish to eat they request you have a booking
53 locals recommend
Inner Light Tea Rooms
The views are so so good you must visit even for just a walk around the inner lighthouse museum and grounds. If you wish to eat they request you have a booking
Arts & Culture
"In 1875, the headland was chosen as the lighthouse site because it provided the best views of the extensive waters of the Port.
Lighthouse Cottage is a historic lighthouse keeper's cottage offers visitors beautiful views, local history, photographs, maps and information on marine rescue. It now operates as a museum of local history.
See the working Coastal Patrol radio base, staffed by volunteers, is open to visitors."
16 locals recommend
Nelson Head Heritage Inner Lighthouse Reserve Museum
5A Lighthouse Trail "In 1875, the headland was chosen as the lighthouse site because it provided the best views of the extensive waters of the Port.
Lighthouse Cottage is a historic lighthouse keeper's cottage offers visitors beautiful views, local history, photographs, maps and information on marine rescue. It now operates as a museum of local history.
See the working Coastal Patrol radio base, staffed by volunteers, is open to visitors."
Displays the history of fighter aircraft operations in the Royal Australian Air Force.
Adjacent to the entrance to RAAF Base Williamtown at Newcastle Airport, Fighter World is two hangars of aircraft - Mirage III, the Avon Sabre, the Gloster Meteor, the first Vampire jet built in Australia and the mighty F-111. There is a Russian designed MiG-21 jet fighter, Hawker Hunter, WWII Spitfire replica, a Messerschmitt replica. Cafe also available.
You may be lucky enough to see RAAF’s premier Fighter Squadrons take-off and land.
28 locals recommend
Fighter World
49 Medowie Rd Displays the history of fighter aircraft operations in the Royal Australian Air Force.
Adjacent to the entrance to RAAF Base Williamtown at Newcastle Airport, Fighter World is two hangars of aircraft - Mirage III, the Avon Sabre, the Gloster Meteor, the first Vampire jet built in Australia and the mighty F-111. There is a Russian designed MiG-21 jet fighter, Hawker Hunter, WWII Spitfire replica, a Messerschmitt replica. Cafe also available.
You may be lucky enough to see RAAF’s premier Fighter Squadrons take-off and land.
Essentials
36 Donald St
36 Donald StreetSOAP N SUDS Laundrette , you can leave the washing and pick up later.
Woolworths Nelson Bay
Donald StreetSo handy and they have an amazing range of goods open 7 days usually to 7pm
10 locals recommend
IGA X-Press Shoal Bay
27 Shoal Bay RdSo handy and they have an amazing range of goods open 7 days usually to 7pm
Entertainment & Activities
Nelson Bay Cinema
23 Stockton St"Toboggan Hill Park is set amongst natural bush just off Salamander Way at Nelson Bay. Tobogganing is suitable for all the family as each toboggan is equipped with brakes so that you control the speed of descent, slow to thrilling!"
46 locals recommend
Toboggan Hill Park
16 Aquatic Cl "Toboggan Hill Park is set amongst natural bush just off Salamander Way at Nelson Bay. Tobogganing is suitable for all the family as each toboggan is equipped with brakes so that you control the speed of descent, slow to thrilling!"
Heated 50m pool with lap swim lanes, toddler pool and waterslides. BBQ available
13 locals recommend
Tomaree Aquatic Centre
3 Aquatic Cl Heated 50m pool with lap swim lanes, toddler pool and waterslides. BBQ available
Getting Around
Port Stephens Coaches
15 Port Stephens Drpscoaches . com . au
A relaxing day taking the ferry across to Tea Gardens for lunch. Look for the dolphins on your journey.
30 locals recommend
Port Stephens Ferry Service
6 Teramby RoadA relaxing day taking the ferry across to Tea Gardens for lunch. Look for the dolphins on your journey.
Parks & Nature
Walking or mountain bike cycling trails throughout the park. Walk or ride from Nelson Bay to Anna Bay or Fingal
55 locals recommend
Tomaree National Park
Walking or mountain bike cycling trails throughout the park. Walk or ride from Nelson Bay to Anna Bay or Fingal
Great views,quiet coves. Crossing Fingal Spit can be dangerous. Care to use the spit only after advice from National Parks Nelson Bay
(02) 4984 8200
Contact hours: 8.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday and only at low tide.
Fingal Island
Lighthouse TrailGreat views,quiet coves. Crossing Fingal Spit can be dangerous. Care to use the spit only after advice from National Parks Nelson Bay
(02) 4984 8200
Contact hours: 8.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday and only at low tide.
Great walk behind the beaches from the end of Ocean Beach Rd, past Box Beach then Wreck Beach and ending at Zenith Beach. Check Walking Port Stephens fir more information.
13 locals recommend
Box Beach
Great walk behind the beaches from the end of Ocean Beach Rd, past Box Beach then Wreck Beach and ending at Zenith Beach. Check Walking Port Stephens fir more information.