The Stockton Sand Dunes are constantly shifting, and cover an area of around 10,300 acres (4,200 hectares). As well as adventures on the dunes themselves, travelers can enjoy fishing off the beach, scuba diving, exploring the rock pools, and looking out for the remains of shipwrecks that often wash up, as many ships have gotten into trouble here over the years. Many travelers take a sandboarding or vehicle tour of the dunes while staying in and around Newcastle, although tours can be taken from Sydney, too.
The dunes are just north of the city of Newcastle, about 2.5 hours’ drive or train journey north of Sydney. It takes about 30-45 minutes to drive from Newcastle to the sand dunes. Unless you’re on a guided tour, you’ll need your own vehicle to get all the way there.
The Stockton Sand Dunes are best enjoyed during the day when the weather is good, so try to visit when there’s little-to-no rain or wind. If you’d like to swim in the sea or lounge on the beach, the warmer months (November-March) are best. Sunsets at the dunes are beautiful.
Port Stephens is a great place to go dolphin and whale watching, as around 140 bottlenose dolphins live in the area, and humpback whales pass by during their migration season. These depart from Nelson Bay, northeast of the Stockton Sand Dunes and on the other side of the Tomaree National Park.