Sydney to Port Stephens: One day tour to Dolphin Wonderland

Discover dolphins, sandboard dunes, and savor wine on a thrilling day trip from Sydney to Port Stephens. Book your adventure now!

Duration: 12 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Nelson Bay - We arrive at 10am at tranquil coastal village of Nelson Bay, the heart of Port Stephens and home to d’Albora Marina departure point for the your Dolphin Discovery Cruise.

Ok now it’s time to board your boat to see a marine wonderland with Moonshadow TQC Cruises, the largest dolphin cruise company in NSW. Port Stephens is home to 160 bottle nose dolphins, one of the most beautiful marine mammals on the planet. At times the dolphins love to surf the bow waves of Moonshadow’s boats and if you’re lucky they may give you a wink of their eye or you can just wink at them. There is heaps of other wildlife to see on the cruise from pelicans, sea eagles and even the odd seal. You will experience 90 minutes of cruising the blue blue waters of Port Stephens with expert commentary provided by Moonshadow’s experienced skippers. In the warmer months you can even take a plunge in the boom net at the rear of the boat but make sure you have a change of clothes.

  • D’Albora Marinas - After your cruise there is plenty of time to enjoy your lunch at the many waterside cafes or simply walk around sightseeing and taking in the seaside vibe. Have the freedom of selecting and purchasing your own delicious lunch to suit your taste.
  • Stockton Sand Dunes - At 1.30pm we arrive at the Stockton Bight sand dunes a coastal desert 32kms long and largest mobile sand dune system in the Southern Hemisphere.
    Here you will be greeted by our friendly 4WD drivers and guides from Port Stephens 4WD Tours, who will help you onto their 21-seater 4WD red coach for the 2km drive to “The Dunes”. Ok, now it’s time for Sandboarding. Your sandboarding guide will give you safety instructions and tips on techniques on how to sandboard successfully. Sandboarding is suitable for toddlers to grandparents and very safe. Sandboarding is referred to as ‘soft adventure’ however it is hard core family fun.
  • Bobs Farm - You tired yet? It’s now time head south back to Sydney. But before we leave Port Stephens there is one last stop at B-Farm aka Murrays Brewery for a spot of wine tasting. B Farm has several exquisite wines for you to sample. They also have a stunning gift shop for you to buy the perfect gift for that special someone back home.

All Aboard! Time to head back to the big smoke. So put your seat belt, press recline on your seat because it’s time for some shut eye on our trip back Sydney. So as the bus pulls back into Central Railway I’m sure you will say “that was One Perfect Day”.

What's Included
  • Return Coach Transport from Sydney to Port Stephens
  • Visit to Port Stephens Winery and Brewery
  • 1 1/2 hr Dolphin Cruise on Port Stephens Marine Park and Waterways
  • Sand Boarding on Stocktons sand Dunes
  • Bottled Water Refreshments
  • Sandboards are provided at the Stockton Beach Sand Dunes
  • Snacks
  • 4WD experience on Birubi Beach
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
Additional Information

Take a short jaunt from Sydney and immerse yourself in the natural spectacle of Port Stephens! Start off your adventure with a Dolphin Watching venture in the stunning Nelson Bay, where you might spot some of the 140 local bottle nose dolphins. Feel the thrill of sandboarding at the well-known Stockton Bite Sand Dunes of Anna Bay, identified as the largest coastal sand dunes of the southern hemisphere. Relish complimentary wine tasting at a regional vineyard situated just outside the highly acclaimed Hunter Valley. Gain insights on the local heritage and culture from our cordial and knowledgeable tour guides.

All these experiences and more can be accessed just 2.5 hours away from Sydney via an air-conditioned bus!

Location
Holiday Inn Darling Harbour, an IHG Hotel
Harbour Street
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(87 Ratings)
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1 star
Hlna_j
Aug 30, 2024
Incredible day - Day with the dolphins sand dunes and wine tasting. The guide was really nice and taught us a lot about the places we were visiting. it was also very funny
Review provided by Viator
Barbara
Aug 24, 2024
I had the best time!!! Great activities to do with friends and your family - I have been visiting Sydney for about a week now, and this is the best time I have had! The guide was so so friendly, chatted with us throughout the trip, and even took videos of me and my friend sand boarding and encouraged us to try it! The activities were terrific too. I got to swim on the dolphin tour (within a protected net in the back of the boat) then we went sand boarding which was out of this world! And finally we got to do some wine tasting, which was also nice. I would definitely say the dolphin tour and the sand boarding was the best part!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W7379waestherg
Aug 12, 2024
Interesting day trip from Sydney to Port Stephens - Alan was a friendly and great tour guide and driver :) this tour covers a boat ride for the dolphin watch, then a visit Port Stephens (sand dunes by the beach and sand boarding) and finally a stop at Murray for wine tasting. Views were amazing and was fortunate to catch sight of a pod of dolphins! (Note: camel ride is not included but you can see the camels there.)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travel21478576962
Aug 12, 2024
Great day with guide Alan! - The trip was good! But what made it better was Alan our guide. He was fun, helped us take lots of pretty photos and always so cheerful and nice to everyone. Him as our guide made the whole experience perfect! Really blessed to get him ♡
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chinphaneew
Jul 19, 2024
Love the activity - They took us to the cruise to see dolphins that so amazing. And then we have sand board near the sea. I like sand board activity. My family love it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nyabogado
Jul 14, 2024
Dolphins, sand dunes and wine - This tour included some unique views: dolphins in Port Stephens, sand dunes in Anna Bay, and picturesque garden outside a local winery. Our guide Gordon was well organized, well informed and friendly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nomad17266803582
Jul 14, 2024
Day tour to Port Stephens - The trip was amazing and loads of fun. We managed to catch the wild dolphins, sandboarding (awesome experience for the kids) and winded up with some beautiful local wine for the trip. Lovely place for a day tour. Thank you for the friendly and informative tour guide Gordon. This is highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mianm9
Jul 14, 2024
See dolphins - Our tour guide Gordon, explain the history of Sydney along the journey. Manage to view dolphins 🐬 in close distance. Enjoy the sandboarding in cold weather. Winery experience with friendly instruction of the wine and coffee wine.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
901arijitb
Jul 14, 2024
Port Stephen’s tour - It was fantastic!! Loved it, specially Sand boarding. Thanks to Gordon as a great tour guide 😊 He explained everything beautifully before & after every event.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Extraforme2017
Jul 14, 2024
Great - Gordon was our tour guide and he was great, a nice and punctual guy. During the tour it was educational and insightful. Cheers Gordon
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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