We break down what we feel are some of the best – and best value – attractions in some of the most popular locations throughout Australia and New Zealand. Here, we look at the best attractions in Port Stephens to take your kids!
The below places have been selected based on a number of criteria such as value for money, quality of attraction and popularity with kids, and all receive rave reviews from numerous travel sites as well as visitors. Here’s the list.
5. Visit Fighterworld
Location: 49 Medowie Road, Williamtown RAAF
Airforce lovers will be in their element at Fighter World with their amazing display of famous aircrafts and their histories. A visit to Fighter World will get you up close to a range of famous aircrafts including the Mirage III and the Gloster Meteor. Fighter World aims to preserve the proud history of our nations airforce, the RAAF, and educated people on the important role it has had in our country’s history.
Spread over two giant aircraft hangers, visitors will be able to get up close and have a look inside these military planes. The kids can even sit in the cockpit of a Macchi jet trainer to see first-hand what it’s like to be ones of Australia’s top gun pilots. Fighter World is also home to the Norm Forrester Collection; a unique collection of hand build model aircrafts with intricate pieces and designs.
In recent years, Fighter World has become more technologically advanced with interactive tours for your mobile, tablet or iPod; the ‘QR’ Tour will take you around the hangers and highlight interesting facts about the displays. The knowledgable staff are also on hand to answer any questions you may have on the aircrafts and their respective histories.
Fighter World is in close proximity to the RAAF base which means you will have a great view of the base and their working aircrafts.The observation deck provides a great view for you to watch the military aircrafts take off and land. This is a hands on experience that all aircraft enthusiasts should visit.
Fighterworld is open everyday from 10 to 4pm.
Prices
- Kids under 5: FREE
- Kids (5 to 17 years): $10
- Adults: $15
- Family (2 Adults + all kids under 18): $40
4. Slide down Toboggan Hill Park
Location: 16 Aquatic Close (off Salamander Way), Nelson Bay
Take a break from the beaches, marine life and sun with a ride down the relaxing bush land in Nelson Bay. Jump in one of Toboggan Hill Park’s fully equipped toboggans and go for a winding ride through Port Douglas’ natural bush scenery.
The toboggans provide great fun for the whole family – the brave young ones can tackle the luge on their own or share a ride with mum or dad for safety. The speed of your decent down the hill relies completely on the driver with breaks fitted to control the speed.
Thrill seekers can reach speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour by releasing the break and lying flat on their back; those wanting a leisurely cruise down the hill should sit up straight and keep their hands on the brakes.
Despite the name, Toboggan Hill Park offers so many more activities for the everyone to enjoy. You can have a game of putt putt, strap your skates on for ‘hot’ ice skating, run around the outdoor maze or jump aboard a scenic train ride. All extra activities are charged individually per person.
For those wanting to spend the day jumping from activity to activity the kiosk sells a great range of food including some the of the favourites – pies, sausage rolls and hot dogs – there is also a picnic area with barbecues for hire for those wanting to bring their own food. The kids will surely find an activity they love at the park, which will make it almost impossible to drag them away.
Prices
- Individual tickets from $5
- Individual activity passes from $18
- Family activity passes from $90
3. Visit Oakvale Farm and Fauna World
Location: 3 Oakvale Drive, Salt Ash
Set on 25 acres of land, Oakvale Farm and Fauna World is one of Port Stephen’s best animal attractions. Since 1979 Oakvale has been providing visitors with the chance to get up close and personal to some of Australia’s native animals as well as a range of exotic and domestic farm animals.
Oakvale is committed to educating visitors on Australia’s gorgeous wildlife and how we can work to protect it together in a fun interactive environment the whole family will love.
The younger visitors will love making friends with Oakvale’s native Australian animals such as the red kangaroo, koala, wombat, fresh water crocodile and laughing kookaburra.
The park also has a diverse range of animals on display with slithering reptiles; the Albino Carpet Python and Jungle Python, feathered friends; Ostriches and Wandering Whistling Ducks, and four legged mammals; Alpacas and Piglets.
Throughout the day there are various shows that showcase some of the park’s domesticated and iconic animals. You can watch some baby farm animals bottle feed, get to know some of the park’s reptiles or learn about one of the favourite Australian animals, the cuddly koala.
Visitors can also hand feed various animals as you wander around the park. Feed bags are available from Oakvale’s kiosk for $1.50 per bag.
Prices
- Child $13.50
- Pensioner/Senior $19.50
- Adult $22.50
- Family $65
2. Pat a shark and ray at Irukandji Encounters
Location: 686 Marsh Road, Bobs Farm
Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is an interactive aquarium unlike any other, connecting visitors to our natural world. Aiming to educate visitors on a our ocean and how we can co-exist with its marine life, this fun and challenging interaction is a Port Stephens must.
Jump in the waters and say hello to these friendly sharks and rays on their home turf. This experience shows visitors the friendly personalities of these animals, not as dangerous creatures but as misunderstood animals damaged by the changing ecological systems.
With over 190 sharks and rays calling Irukandji home, your encounter will be filled with curious eyes and friendly faces. This kind of experience is usually associated with an expensive price tag, but at Irukandji everybody gets to experience this encounter for a reasonable price, even the little ones.
There are five different exhibits in the centre displaying the wide range of marine life that call Irukandji home. The Ray Lagoon is home to Southern Eagle Rays, Blue Spotted Mask Rays, White Spotted Sharks, Port Jackson Sharks and Smooth Rays (Australia’s largest ray species).
Tawny Terrain will let you walk in the shallow waters and interact with and feed the 3-metre Tawny Nurse Sharks and watch as it sucks in six litres of water in only one second. Fiddler’s Flats is a hit with the children where they can learn about some of the rays and their natural habitats.
The kids will be blown away by the abilities of these misunderstood creatures and will love the chance to get up close and even feed some of them. Irukandji believes the future conservation of our oceans is very import for the next generations and aim to educate visitors on the importance of protecting vulnerable marine life before it is too late.
Prices
- Child (3 and under) FREE
- Child (4 to 16 years) $19.50
- Pensioner $27
- Student $27.50
- Adult $31.50
- Family (2A + 2C) $99
1. Slide down the sand dunes with Moonshadow’s 4WD shuttle
One of the most popular experiences in Port Stephens, sliding down these giant sand dunes is a must-do activity for the whole family.
Take a deep breath and get sliding down some of Australia’s biggest sand dunes. Reaching heights of 30 metres to 50 metres, these dunes have gained the title of being some of the biggest sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.
The young ones will love the thrill of racing each other down the sandy hill at incredible speeds to see who comes out on top. If the heights of the dunes are a worry you take your mind off it with the beautiful views from the top of the dunes looking out over the scenic Port Stephens area.
Tour the area around the dunes on board a rugged, adventurous 4WD tour. The hop on hop off shuttle runs every 30 minutes to take you to and from the dunes and Port Douglas all through the day. This shuttle system gives you the freedom to spend as much time as you want running up and sliding down these amazing dunes.
Tours include all necessary equipment and return transfers to the Port Stephens area. A hop on hop off shuttle runs every 30 minutes from the lower car park at the end of James Patterson Street in Anna Bay.
Prices:
- Kids (4 to 14 years): $20
- Seniors: $25
- Adults: $28
- Family (2 Adults + 2 Kids): $78.50
In addition, if you’re looking for all the top things to see and do in and around Port Stephens including activities, attractions and more, be sure to check out our main region section to browse and book online!
BROWSE PORT STEPHENS EXPERIENCES
