We spent a winter weekend in Port Stephens and somehow scored the kind of weather you usually only get in late spring. Clear blue skies, sunshine warm enough for swimming, and not a single crowd anywhere. The kids moved between the beach and the resort pool from morning to sunset, completely forgetting it was June.
We checked into Ingenia Holidays Middle Rock and wandered straight down to the sand. The beach was quiet, calm, and almost entirely ours. It felt like one of those rare stretches of coastline where you stumble onto your own private escape.
After the beach, we brushed the sand out of our hair and headed out for dinner. We did not have to go far. Middle Rock Café and Bar was right on site, which made it the easiest choice after a full day in the sun. The table filled fast with all the good stuff: golden schnitzel, crunchy chips, fresh salad, stacked burgers, and potato scallops that disappeared way too quickly. And because we have our priorities straight, we finished the night with ice cream.
The next morning started with eggs and bacon, waffles, and an açaí bowl that was absolutely delicious. Once we were fuelled up, we stepped outside into the fresh morning air. Before heading out for the day, we took a quick dip in the resort pool, making bets on who could stay under the longest and practicing our mermaid dives.
After our swim, we made our way to the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to visit the fluffy koalas. It was the perfect educational stop for the scavenger hunt and a calm change of pace after all the water play. Surrounded by eucalyptus trees and curious wildlife, the walk through the sanctuary felt peaceful, refreshing, and exactly what we needed.
From the Koala Sanctuary, we piled into the car and made our way to Gan Gan Hill Lookout, a 160-metre rise that overlooks all of Port Stephens. The view from the top was nothing short of phenomenal.
Once the day warmed up a little, we finished things off with another swim at One Mile Beach. There was body surfing, shell hunting, and plenty of rolling around in the sand. We could not have asked for a better weekend away.
Cost Breakdown
Here is what our weekend in Port Stephens cost us as a family of five:
- Accommodation: $214.00 for a 2 Bed Spa Room
- Food: $298.95 for all drinks, meals and snacks
- Koala Sanctuary: $87.00 for family entry
- Souvenirs: $27.50 for the kids to choose a little something
Total spend: $627.45
We could have made the trip a lot cheaper if we had shopped at the supermarket and cooked our own meals. Our accommodation had a full kitchen with a fridge and cooking gear, so it would have been easy enough. But we really enjoy eating out as a treat when we’re away, so we chose to make the most of it.
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