Where Country Meets the Coast
Discover Salt Ash, where the rural landscapes of the Port Stephens hinterland meet the coast and the spectacular Stockton Sand Dunes. Ideally located between Williamtown, Anna Bay and the Tilligerry Peninsula, Salt Ash is a great base for exploring the wider Port Stephens region.
Discover local produce and rural experiences, explore nearby bushland and waterways, or head towards the dunes for 4WD and outdoor adventures. With nature, wildlife and the coast all within easy reach, Salt Ash offers a relaxed taste of the country side of Port Stephens, NSW.
Salt Ash and Bobs Farm form the rural heart of the Port Stephens peninsula, where working farms, fresh produce, family attractions, and adventure experiences sit between bushland and the spectacular Stockton Bight Sand Dunes. Often described as the food bowl of the peninsula, the area is an easy detour from Nelson Bay Road and offers plenty to explore beyond the coast.
Local produce is a highlight of Bobs Farm, with farms and roadside stalls contributing to the area’s country character. Depending on the season, visitors can find locally grown avocados, figs, honey, and other farm-fresh produce. The rural landscape makes this a great area for a relaxed drive, with plenty of reasons to stop along the way.
Families are especially well catered for. Oakvale Wildlife Park in Salt Ash offers hands-on encounters with Australian native and farm animals across a spacious 25-acre property. Around Bobs Farm, visitors can also find interactive animal experiences and go-karting, making the precinct a popular option for an active family day out.
The area is also connected to the Worimi Conservation Lands and Stockton Bight Sand Dunes. These remarkable dunes stretch for around thirty-two kilometers and are the largest moving coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Guided 4WD, sandboarding, quadbike and cultural experiences provide memorable ways to explore this extraordinary landscape.
Salt Ash and Bobs Farm are conveniently positioned between Newcastle Airport and the coastal villages of Port Stephens. Combine the area with nearby Anna Bay, Williamtown or Medowie for a full day of wildlife, farm-gate produce, aviation, dunes, and outdoor adventure.
If you love a fish dish then make sure you visit the working barramundi farm and hydroponic gardens where you can take a tour or just settle in and savour a delicious lunch in Cookabarra Restaurant.
For the more adventurous, get revved up at Go Karts Go and test your skills against the clock or get the gang together for a colourful battle at Hellfire Paintball. If you have ever wanted to get up close and personal with sharks and stingrays then Irukandji is a must see. Or for more land-based animals try Oakvale Wildlife Park - a fantastic animal adventure the whole family will enjoy with koalas, crocs, camels, and kangaroos as well as baby animals, tractor rides picnic areas and a chance to cool down at Splash Bay.
TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO
- Oakvale Wildlife Park: Meet Australian native and farm animals, enjoy keeper activities and explore the family-friendly wildlife park in Salt Ash.
- Port Stephens Animal Adventures: Enjoy an interactive animal experience in Bobs Farm with opportunities to get close to a variety of animals.
- Go Karts Go: Add some adrenaline to the day at the outdoor go-kart track on Marsh Road, Bobs Farm.
- Farm-gate produce: Look for seasonal local produce including avocados, figs, honey, and other fresh offerings from the surrounding farms.
- Stockton Bight Sand Dunes: Experience the vast Worimi Conservation Lands on a guided 4WD, sandboarding, quadbike, or cultural tour.
- Country drive: Take your time exploring the rural roads and working-farm landscape that give Salt Ash and Bobs Farm their distinctive character.
- Nearby Anna Bay: Continue to Anna Bay and Birubi Point for coastal views and convenient access to a range of dune experiences.
- Williamtown & Medowie: Combine your visit with aviation attractions near Newcastle Airport or the produce, public art, and bushland of Medowie.
GETTING AROUND
By Bus
The primary bus routes servicing Salt Ash and Bobs Farm are operated by Port Stephens Coaches and CDC NSW Hunter Valley Buses. These routes connect the two areas to Newcastle, Raymond Terrace, and the Tomaree Peninsula (Nelson Bay area).
Public Bus Routes
- Route 130 (Fingal Bay to Newcastle via Gan Gan Rd): Connects both Bobs Farm and Salt Ash to Newcastle Interchange and the Tomaree Peninsula. This service runs regularly throughout the day.
- Route 131 (Fingal Bay to Newcastle Express): A faster, limited-stop service that travels along Nelson Bay Road, stopping at major points in Salt Ash and Bobs Farm.
- Route 135 (Nelson Bay to Raymond Terrace): Connects both Salt Ash and Bobs Farm directly to Raymond Terrace.
- Route 137 (Lemon Tree Passage to Raymond Terrace): Services parts of Salt Ash (specifically near Lemon Tree Passage Road and Nelson Bay Road), linking commuters to Medowie and Raymond Terrace.
By car
- The area is centered around Nelson Bay Road, Marsh Road and surrounding rural roads, and it is easiest to explore by car.
- Salt Ash and Bobs Farm are 15–20 minutes south of Nelson Bay and only a short drive from Newcastle Airport.
- Allow extra time between stops – attractions and farm experiences are spread across the rural precinct rather than concentrated in one village centre.
Around the area
- Driving – the best way to move between wildlife parks, farm-gate stops, family attractions and dune experiences.
- Dune access – join an authorised tour or use designated access points and permits where required for private 4WD access.
- Family day out – combine one major attraction with lunch or a local produce stop rather than trying to rush through several experiences.
Ride Share – Ride-share is available in Port Stephens – check the app to see if there is a driver near you.
Book an airport transfer - mini bus or private tour – Lucky Dog Tours, Heavenly Tours, Nelson Bay Diggers Taxis, Port Stephens Coaches
LOCALS TIP
- Allow at least half a day if visiting one of the major family attractions, and longer if combining wildlife experiences with the sand dunes.
- Keep an eye out for farm-gate stalls and seasonal produce as you travel through Bobs Farm.
- Book guided dune experiences in advance during weekends, school holidays, and other busy periods.
