Port Stephens
From CruisersWiki
Port Stephens
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South Wales) Port Stephens is a popular cruising ground located approximately 23nm north of Newcastle, New South Wales. Port Stephens is not a Port of Entry into Australia.
Cruising the region
Port Stephens encompasses the towns of Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay, Soldiers Point, Lemon Tree Passage, and Tanilba Bay, all on the southern shores, as well as Hawks Nest on the northern shore and extending to the surf beach.
Cruising sailors used to the depths of Sydney Harbour, from where Port Stephens can be reached in a 24 hour sail or thereabouts, can easily become complacent about the depths in Port Stephens -- although Port Stephens is in fact larger than Sydney Harbour many parts of it are quite shallow. Keep a good look out, and pay detailed attention to leading marks, charts, and depth soundings.
Charts
- Australian Hydrographic Service
- Chart AUS 809 - Port Jackson to Port Stephens
- Chart AUS 209 - Port Stephens
See New South Wales.
Weather
See New South Wales.
Passages
See Newcastle.
Islands
The three islands directly offshore of the Port Stephens entrance, being Cabbage Tree Island, Boondelbah Island, and Little Island are all nature reserves and cannot be visited without a permit. None of the islands provide a suitable anchorage although there is some small amount of shelter in the inlet to on the south side of Boondelbah Island.
Cabbage Tree Island is the rounding mark for an annual race from Sydney.
Further north west of the entrance (about 8 nm) there are the Broughton Islands. Avoid going between the islands and the mainland because there are several unmarked rocks and the passage can funnel tidal flows. It is possible to visit Broughton Island by anchoring to the north east off the beach there. There is also a deep inlet to the south of Broughton Island where there are also some moorings and fishermen's huts, but it can be hazardous getting in or out (or loitering inside) if the weather turns southerly.
Communication
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
See New South Wales.
Berthing
Port Stephens has several marinas. It is also an excellent and attractive area in which to spend the cyclone season.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
D'Albora Marinas Nelson Bay

Nelson Bay marina houses 200 wet berths and jet ski storage with high security. All facilities, fuel berth, pump-out facility, laundry. Restaurants and cafes close by. Facilities include end to end dockmaster assistance seven days a week along with reciprocal berthing rights at all seven D’ALBORA Marinas locations. Onsite marine services include detailing, repairs, maintenance, chandlery and boat brokerage.
- [email protected]; Tel: +61 2 4984 1333; Fax: +61 2 4984 1390; VHF channel 16
- Address: Teramby Road , Nelson Bay , Port Stephens, NSW, Australia
- Hours:
Anchorage Marina
90 floating berths and 6 swinging moorings. All facilities, fuel berth, security. Visitors welcome. Reservation advised.
- [email protected]; Tel: +61 2 4981 4975; Fax: +61 2 4981 5690; VHF channel 16
- Address: Corlette Point Road Corlette NSW 2315, Australia
- Hours:
Soldiers Point Marina

Modern marina with all facilities, fuel berth, laundry, WiFi, 24hr security, restaurants, provisions, free use of bikes. Boatyard with slipway and repair services..
- [email protected]; Tel: +61 2 4982 7445; Fax: ++61 2 4982 7193; VHF channel 16
- Address: Sunset Boulevarde, Soldiers Point, NSW 2317, Australia
- Hours:
Lemon Tree Passage Marina

A small marina with 50 berths and 7 swinging moorings. Close to a wide range of services including banks, restaurants, food shops, post office and pharmacy. Basically a boatyard with chandlery and 2 slipways with a 65 Tonne and a 25 Tonne capacity.
- [email protected]; Tel: +61 2 4982 5522; VHF channel XX
- Address: 44 Cook Parade, Lemon Tree Passage. NSW 2319, Australia
- Hours:
Newcastle Cruising Club Marina

A modern 180 berth floating marina, NCYC’s facilities are world-class. With power and water provided to each berth (including limited 3 phase powered berths), car parking, clean modern amenities and laundrette, and close proximity to shops and transport, NCYC is a great place to drop in for fuel, food and water on your way up and down the coast.
- [email protected]; Tel: +61 2 4940 818; Fax: +61 2 4940 8138; VHF channel XX
- Address: 95 Hannell Street (PO BOX 150), Wickham, NSW 2293, Australia
- Hours:
Little Beach Marina

Description.
- XX@XXX; Tel: +61 2 4981 1492; VHF channel XX
- Address: 4 Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay, NSW 2315, Australia
- Hours:
Anchorages
List anchorages. If there is more then 1-3 paragraphs for a given anchorage, create a dedicated page for it (Port/Stop Template). Remove this section if not applicable.
- [[large Anchorage1]]
- [[large Anchorage1]]
Amenities
Facilities | |
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Water | In the marinas |
Electricity | In the marinas |
Toilets | In the marinas |
Showers | In the marinas |
Laundry | In some of the marinas |
Garbage | In the marinas |
Supplies | |
Fuel | In some of the marinas |
Bottled gas | ? |
Chandlers | ? |
Services | |
Repairs |
|
Internet | In most of the marinas |
Mobile connectivity | ? |
Vehicle rentals | ? |
Provisioning
Give the names and locations of supermarkets, grocery stores, bakeries, etc.
Eating out
Give the name of recommended restaurant, tavernas, pastry stores, etc.
Transportation
List transportation (local and/or international.)
Tourism
History
Give a short history of the port.
Places to Visit
List places of interest, tours, etc.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Port Stephens at the Wikipedia
- Port Stephens at the Wikivoyage
- Port Stephens tourist information web site.
- Cruising Helmsman article about Port Stephens
- Fishing Monthly article about Broughton Island
- Maritime NSW map of Port Stephens (front)
- Maritime NSW map of Port Stephens (back)
References
- Cruising the New South Wales Coast by Alan Lucas is available in most chandleries in New South Wales, marine book stores, or by mail order. It is the premier guide for cruising the coastal ports and regions of New South Wales.
See also Australia.
Comments
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Names: Haiqu, Delatbabel |