For a great family weekend away Nelson Bay is a perfect choice

Think Australia and its sandy beaches and blue oceans come to mind. And the images spell ‘vacation’. Be it for a personal break or a family holiday, the quaint coastal towns in Australia are just what the doctor ordered. One such idyllic town is Nelson Bay. Situated at the centre of Port Stephens, New South Wales, its blue oceans make perfect backgrounds for those holiday snaps you cannot wait to send everyone.

If you are a snorkelling or scuba diving enthusiast, this town is your paradise. For a newbie, there are several diving schools whose facilities you can avail of. After a couple of days of the magical underwater world, you will never want to go back to any other way of life. For a first timer, the options are many. One can go swimming, whale watching or diving. If you would rather stay on terra firma, there are some places of historical interest that you can check out and some local events you can attend. But, beyond these, there are not many activities to be found on land. This town is basically water baby paradise.

The landscape is dotted with equipment rentals and diving schools. These are reasonably good and well priced. If you are on a diving expedition, it wont do to miss the Fly Point and Looking Glass in the centre of the island. It is a deep chasm that is like a hidey hole filled with the most amazing species of fishes.

Some of the other most well loved tourist activities here are whale watching and dolphin spotting. The yearly changes in the weather conditions and the water temperature cause the huge mammals to migrate to warmer climes. They move in hundreds and perhaps thousands. If you are lucky, some whales can be observed to be leaping out of the water, slapping the water with their tails and even spot calves. To see such an event is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You should definitely make time for this activity.

The best season to visit this town is in June and October. These are the months when migration is at its peak. To avoid being disappointed, do check in with the tour company and reserve spots beforehand.

Dolphin spotting is another very popular tourist attraction here. This is said to be the home of the bottle nosed dolphins. So, you will most definitely have positive sightings. Some tours also allow you to play with dolphins if they come near enough.

Another famous Port Stephens attraction is the lighthouse. It was built in the late eighteen hundreds and more recently was upgraded to solar power. It is now a heritage site and is a major tourist attraction. The views of the coastline from the lighthouse are simply breathtaking.

There are numerous Nelson Bay accommodation options to consider while choosing where you will stay in town. It is best to remember what all activities are on your to-do list and then choose an option close by. There are many bed and breakfasts and farm stays, that you will find, are just right.

The wineries are another reason to visit this town. During October, there are several music festivals held in the vineyard that will give a local flavour to your trip. A visit to Nelson Bay will not be complete without a trip to Anna Bay. If you are ready to give the camels there a try, do hop on. It will be one of the high points of your vacation.