Highlights
- Travel from Central Station, Sydney CBD, with return transport included
- Relax at Stockton Beach, one of NSW's longest beaches
- Opt for a camel ride across the dunes from $50 pp, paid on the day
- Hike with a guide to Mount Tomaree Lookout for panoramic coastal views
- Opt for a 4x4 safari and sandboarding from $40 pp, paid on the day
Description
Some days call for getting out of the city, feeling sand between your toes, and doing something a bit ridiculous — like sandboarding down a dune taller than most buildings in your hometown.
This full-day trip from Sydney ticks all of that. You're out to Port Stephens and Anna Bay for a day of wide-open
beaches, massive dunes, and a climb that earns its view. No fuss, no hotel pickups, no over-planned itinerary. Just good company, a lot of fresh air, and $99 out of your pocket to make it happen.
The dunes are the main event.
Stockton Beach is backed by Australia's largest moving sand dune system — 32 kilometres of sand that shifts with the wind and rolls into the sea. You'll have over two hours of free time here. Lay out on the beach, walk the dunes, or upgrade your day on the spot with a 4WD safari into the dune interior and a sandboard run back down. The 4x4 option runs from $40 pp — pay on the day if you're keen.
Rather swap wheels for hooves? A camel ride across the dunes is also available from $50 pp. It's exactly as good as it sounds.
If you'd rather just sit on one of the longest beaches in New South Wales and do nothing, that's a perfectly solid choice too. The base price covers all of that.
Then there's the hike.
After the beach, you'll head to Mount Tomaree for a guided walk to the summit lookout. It's a solid climb — about 1.2km each way on a clear, well-maintained track — but there's nothing technical about it and all fitness levels make it to the top. The view from up there takes in Port Stephens, Stockton Beach, and on a clear day, all the way out to sea.
About the group.
This tour runs with a proper crowd — minibus groups of up to 24 or full coaches of up to 50 people. That's not a bug, it's the point. More people means more energy at the dunes, more laughs on the hike, and more new mates by the time you're back in Sydney. If you're travelling solo or in a small group, this is where you find your crew for the day. The guides keep the vibe loose and the pace comfortable — it never feels like a cattle run.
What the day looks like.
You're picked up at Central Station in Sydney CBD at 6:45 AM. There's a coffee stop on the way — the 3.5-hour drive is easy, and you'll roll into Anna Bay around 10:15 AM. Two-plus hours at the beach and dunes, a lunch break on your own (there are good options nearby), then the Mount Tomaree hike in the afternoon before the drive back. You're home by 6:30–6:45 PM.
The whole deal.
For $99 you get your transport both ways, your guide for the hike, a morning coffee stop, and an afternoon snack on the return. Everything else — lunch, add-ons, and however much you spend on the sand — is your call. No surprises.
Includes
Return coach or minibus transport from Central Station, Sydney CBD
2 hours free time at Stockton Beach / Anna Bay
Guided hike — Mount Tomaree Lookout
Morning coffee stop (en route)
Afternoon snack stop (return journey)
Tour guide throughout the day
Licensed Eco Pass operator certification
All park entry fees
Local insights throughout
Excludes
Lunch (own expense — available near the beach)
4x4 safari + sandboarding (optional, from $40 pp — pay on the day)
Camel ride (optional, from $50 pp — pay on the day)
Alcoholic beverages
Personal travel insurance
Important Information
- Moderate fitness level recommended, especially for the hike option
- Free time at Nelson Bay provides beach access if weather and conditions permit. Your guide can recommend the best swimming spots based on daily conditions
- Lunch is not included. Bring a packed lunch or grab lunch at one of the Nelson Bay cafes recommended by your guide
- Ideal for backpackers, international students, hostel groups, and budget-conscious travellers who want a real full-day experience without the overpriced package price tag
- This tour runs with a big crew — minibus groups of up to 24 or full coaches of up to 50. The bigger the group, the better the vibe. You'll arrive as strangers and leave with new mates. That's what this tour is all about
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
