Where to Stay in New South Wales – Port Stephens

Port Stephens offers a wide range of accommodation from budget-friendly holiday parks and motels to luxury waterfront resorts, with most options concentrated in Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, and Salamander Bay. Nelson Bay is the most convenient base for divers, with apartments, motels, and the marina within walking distance of the dive operator departure points. Shoal Bay provides a more resort-oriented experience with the iconic Shoal Bay Resort and Spa offering beachfront accommodation and wellness facilities. Salamander Bay and Anna Bay offer family-friendly accommodation with holiday parks, apartments, and houses at competitive rates. The broader Port Stephens region includes luxury retreats in the hinterland and beachfront properties along the coast. Many accommodation providers offer dive package deals combining rooms with daily boat trips, and the region's compact size ensures that all dive departure points are within a short drive from any accommodation base.