Experience nature at its best on this tour to picturesque Port Stephens . This Port Stephens adventure delivers an impressive trifecta: dolphins in open water, koalas in the treetops, and serious sandboarding action on some of the Southern Hemisphere’s most dramatic dunes.
Your day kicks off with a dolphin watching cruise through Port Stephens’ pristine waters, home to over 150 bottlenose dolphins. These aren’t zoo animals—they’re wild, curious, and often playful as they surf alongside the boat, breach nearby, or simply glide through the bay. Each encounter is genuine and unscripted, offering a rare glimpse into their natural world.
Back on land, you’ll track down one of Australia’s most iconic residents: wild koalas nestled in the coastal eucalyptus forests. Spotting these elusive marsupials in their native habitat is something entirely different from seeing them in captivity—there’s a quiet thrill in scanning the treetops and discovering one curled up in the branches above.
Then comes the main event: Stockton Sand Dunes, the largest mobile sand dune system in the Southern Hemisphere. A 4WD expedition takes you deep into this surreal landscape where golden dunes stretch endlessly toward the horizon. After the ride in, it’s time to sandboard. Choose your slope, point your board downhill, and carve your way down these massive formations—it’s exhilarating, forgiving when you tumble, and endlessly repeatable.
With round-trip transport from Sydney and all equipment provided, this full-day experience blends authentic wildlife encounters with genuine adventure. It’s the kind of day that stays with you—not because it was overhyped, but because it actually delivers something special.
Local driver/guide on the coach
Dolphin Discover eco cruise with commentary
Swim in the boom net (optional)
Koala Sanctuary Visit
Lunch
Stockton Beach 4WD and sandboarding instruction
Snacks and Water
Pickup locations
Choose where you want to get picked up from a list of specific points.
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
7:00am – Travel across the Sydney Harbour Bridge for a scenic drive along the spectacular NSW Central Coast. Short comfort stop en route.
10:30am –Arrive on the traditional lands of the Worimi people in the tranquil coastal village of Nelson Bay. Depart on 90-minute Dolphin Discovery Cruise with Moonshadow Cruises on the turquoise blue waters of Port Stephens, a veritable marine wonderland. This extraordinary natural harbour is home to some 140 bottle nose dolphins who will entrance you by their playful and intelligent nature as they frolic around the boat or surf the bow waves. Be mindful to also look out for other wildlife including pelicans, sea eagles, the occasional seal.
12:00pm – Enjoy an Aussie lunch, in the natural surroundings.
Vegetarian option available.
1:00pm – Visit the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary which supports the long-term rehabilitation, preservation and conservation of koala in the wild. This $ 13 million project has been jointly funded by the NSW State Government and the Port Stephens council to provide care for sick, injured or orphaned Koalas with the aim of releasing them back into the wild.
Brighton Tours proudly supports the conservation and preservation efforts of the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary having adopted several wild koalas in their care. Our visit here today will make a direct contribution to the preservation of wild Koalas in Port Stephens.
Enjoy the Sanctuary Story Walk, a flat 250m pathway with large Koala sculptures that educate about Koala and its natural habitat. The final attraction is the Sanctuary SKYwalk a 225mtr elevated pathway with viewing platforms in the tree top canopy where you have the rare opportunity of seeing one of Australia’s most iconic marsupials in the wild.
2:00pm – Depart the Koala Sanctuary for the sand dunes and Port Stephens 4WD Tour Sandboarding adventure.
2:15pm – Our final stop is at the world-renowned Stockton sand dunes, a coastal desert that is 32km long and the largest mobile sand dune system in the southern hemisphere.
Now it’s time for Adventure as you sand board down the huge sand dunes that make up this idyllic setting.
3:30pm – Depart for Sydney
7:00pm – Arrive back in Sydney
From$220.00
(0 reviews)
From$750.00
(0 reviews)
From$105.00
(0 reviews)
From$699.00
(0 reviews)
From$250.00
console.log( 'Code is Poetry' );
Information
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.