Activities

Depart from Tea Gardens on a daily basis. In the appropriate season, a truly unforgettable experience to see friendly dolphins and whales at a play. For tours contact:

Simba Cruises: 4997 1084 (dolphin watching)

MV Argonaut: 4997 0457 (offshore fishing, whale watching, Broughton Island)

Wallamba Ferry: 0408 494 262 (dolphin watch, river cruises)

Tilligerry Ferries: Bookings necessary, 4984 5329 (port & dolphin cruises)

Dolphins can also be seen whilst enjoying a relaxing trip on either of the classic timber ferries that ply between Tea Gardens and Nelson Bay. The trips take about 40 minutes and crosses Port Stephens. For more information, Phone: 0412 682 117 or contact the Tea Gardens Visitors Information Centre Phone: 4997 0111

North Arm Cove is an ideal place for families with children to fish. There are two small beaches, about 100 meters away from the property (one on the left & the other on the right).

Please check out the following for a recreation fishing experience.

The Myall waterways are a fisherman’s delight offering river and beach fishing all year round. Game fishing can also be found off the coast.

Several businesses in Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest supply bait and tackle.

For offshore charter fishing trips, please contact:

Hawks Nest Fishing Charter Phone 02 4997 0457 or Mobile 0427 942 103 on M.V Argonaut

Hire boats available from Tea Gardens Boatshed, 110 Marine Drive Tea Gardens, website: https://www.teagardensboatshed.com/boats Phone 02 4997 0636

Top 5 recommended Port Stephens Fishing Spots

Fingal Beach is ideal as it is close to parking areas, safe, clean and full of fish.
Kiddies Corner at the southernmost end is ideal for the entire family to target whiting, bream and flathead. A rising tide, dusk and dawn are the best times, so wake the troops early and arrive before the rush or fish into the darkness of the evening. The entire beach is family fishing-friendly, Park in the southern corner or at the surf club. NOTE Please be aware that the Fingal Spit can be very dangerous in certain conditions.

Nelson Bay break wall, and the Fisherman’s Wharf at the end of Teramby Street in Nelson Bay always have a surprise in store. Bream, trevally, flathead and the odd snapper will keep the kids entertained for hours.

All the jetties throughout the port attract fish. Salamander, Taylors Beach, Lemon Tree Passage and Karuah are excellent bream and flathead spots. Fishing off a jetty is great fun and always gives the kids a chance to catch a thumper.

Those with a boat keen for a peaceful day can load up with worms inside the port and head off to any of the channels west of Soldiers Point. The trumpeter whiting is out of control. Drift around Tilligerry Creek, Bull Island, or the Karuah River entrance and hang on. Don’t be surprised to hook a flathead or a lively bream.

The entire foreshore from Wanda Beach to Shoal Bay offers safe family fishing. The rising tide encourages flathead to swim into the shallows and their mates, whiting and bream. The main concern when taking kids fishing is safety, so my advice is to stay well clear of rock fishing, even in the calmest conditions. There are plenty of places to fish, so give the rocks a miss. Enjoy your break.

Koalas are important to the Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest environment and tourism. A koala refuge area is located on the left after crossing the bridge into Hawks Nest. If you look carefully you may also see Koalas in the trees in the streets and avenues of the two towns, but predominately they are found in the Hawks Nest area. Sightings of koalas cannot, however be guaranteed as they move around extensively.