From cultural experiences and aviation history to sand dune adventures and peaceful rural escapes, discover the Gateway and experience another unforgettable side of Port Stephens.
Welcome to The Gateway to Port Stephens, where arriving is just the beginning of the adventure. Home to Newcastle Airport, Williamtown, Medowie and Salt Ash, this part of the region brings together spectacular sand dunes, powerful surf beaches, ancient Worimi culture and aviation experiences — all within easy reach of the Port Stephens coastline.
For visitors arriving by air, Newcastle Airport provides a convenient gateway to Port Stephens, with direct flights connecting the region to major Australian destinations and onward international connections. From the airport, some of Port Stephens’ most extraordinary landscapes and experiences are just minutes away.
The standout is the incredible Stockton Sand Dunes within the Worimi Conservation Lands. Stretching for approximately 32 kilometres along the coast, this vast dune system is one of Port Stephens’ most iconic natural landscapes, with towering shifting dunes rising above the beach and Pacific Ocean. Explore them on a 4WD tour, sandboarding adventure or quad bike experience, and discover a landscape unlike anywhere else in the region.
Running alongside the dunes is the sweeping Stockton Beach, where kilometres of open coastline create opportunities for surfing, beach fishing, four-wheel driving and coastal adventure. Nearby Birubi Beach at Anna Bay is another favourite for surfers and beachgoers, with impressive ocean views and a striking meeting point between the dunes and the sea.
This landscape also holds deep cultural significance for the Worimi people, the Traditional Custodians of the area. At Murrook Culture Centre, visitors can connect with Worimi stories, traditions and living culture through Aboriginal-led experiences, cultural tours, art, bush tucker and interactive displays, adding a deeper understanding of the Country surrounding the dunes.
Williamtown is also at the heart of the region’s aviation story. Alongside RAAF Base Williamtown, Fighter World offers the chance to get up close to historic military aircraft, explore aviation displays and learn more about Australia’s aviation heritage.
Whether you’re flying into Newcastle Airport, searching for the Stockton Sand Dunes, planning a sandboarding, quad biking or 4WD adventure, looking for a great Port Stephens surf beach or wanting to experience authentic Worimi culture, The Gateway is where some of Port Stephens’ biggest adventures begin.
