July school holidays
Get involved in some of the great school holiday activities that Port Stephens has to offer.
Vacation Care
Vacation care provides programmed activities, learning experiences and excursions for school age children from 4 to 13 years.
Find out more and book your child's place.
Contact our Children's Services Administration Office on (02) 4988 0308 or childcare@portstephens.nsw.gov.au for more information.
Library activities
Port Stephens libraries offer a range of engaging and exciting events aimed at school age kids. Check out these events here, and make sure you call either the Tomaree Library on 4988 0670 or Raymond Terrace Library on 4988 0111 for more details and to place your booking.
Art Space exhibition
Worimi Wild Flowers - by Pauline Coxon
29 June to 1 August 2019
Exhibition depicting that 'the wildflowers remind us that we need to take care of the country. We need to have space for the wild to grow'.
Find out more about Art Space exhibitions.
What's on in Port Stephens
Check out everything that's happening around the Port Stephens area. We've got information on community, cultural and Council events. View our Events calendar.
- Whale Tales - 13 July 2019
- Tomaree Aquatic Centre - rock painting activities
- Monday 8 July 2pm to 3.30pm
- Tuesday 16 July 10am to 11.30am
Visitor Centre
Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre (60 Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay) can help you make the most of your stay in Port Stephens. If you are looking for accommodation or tour bookings in Port Stephens, please contact our Visitor Information Centre.
If you are looking for things to do, visit Port Stephens Tourism.
Skate parks
Help burn off some of the kids energy on their skateboards, scooters and BMX.
Council has seven skate parks that cater for beginners to skilled riders. All skill levels are equally entitled to use the ramps, however skate parks are not an appropriate place for toddlers using mini-bikes or toy riders.
- Anna Bay skate park
- Boomerang skate park,
- Karuah skate park
- Lakeside skate park,
- Mallabula skate park
- Nelson Bay skate park
- Seaham skate park
- Wallalong skate park
Aquatic Centres
Have fun on the water, there’s something for everyone at one of the Port Stephens aquatic centres. Remember swimming is a year-round activity. Our swimming pools are top quality in the state, ranking high safety scores in NSW.
- Tomaree Aquatic Centre
- The Tomaree slide in operation 12 noon to 3 pm daily from Saturday 13 to 28 April 2019.
- Fast track (holiday intensive) swim lessons will be run in the centre.
- Swimming lessons are running as per usual.
Other local activities
There are a range of other fun activities in Port Stephens that provide fantastic services on local beaches, playing fields and reserves. Get involved in:
| Activity | Location | Opening times |
|---|---|---|
| Shoal Bay SUP (stand up paddleboarding) | Shoal Bay Foreshore Reserve | Monday to Saturday 6am to 6pm Sunday 8am to 5pm |
| Port Stephens Paddle Sports | Nelson Bay Foreshore Reserve
Shoal Bay Foreshore Reserve
| Monday to Saturday 6am to 6pm Sunday 8am to 5pm |
| Port Stephens Surf School | Dutchman's Beach Reserve
Birubi Beach
One Mile Beach
Fingal Bay Foreshore Reserve | Monday to Saturday 6am to 6pm Sunday 8am to 5pm |
Parks and reserves
Take advantage of the parks and reserves within Port Stephens. There are numerous playgrounds, public amenities, open spaces and picnic facilities across the region making the area a perfect place to explore the outdoors.
Find out more about our popular parks and reserves.
Beaches and foreshores
Port Stephens has a variety of beautiful beaches and foreshores and reserves on offer with large patrolled beaches ideally suited for surfing and small enclosed beaches perfect for a family picnic or get together.
Go cycling
Take the kids out on their bikes along one of the cycling tracks in Port Stephens. Port Stephens has designated cycleways that provide safe cycling around the peninsula, taking you from Salamander Bay right through to Fingal Bay with some spectacular waterviews as you pass from Bagnalls Beach to Dutchies Beach to Nelson Bay. There's some shaded riding through bush and reserves from Shoal Bay to Fingal Bay and plenty of parks, playgrounds and cafes along the way.
Find out more about the long and shared cycleways in Port Stephens.
Dog parks
Take the dog out for a walk. Port Stephens has numerous parks and reserves where dogs may be exercised off-lead.
Find out where you may exercise your dogs on/off leash and the dog prohibited areas.
Take care on the roads
Just because school is on a break, doesn’t mean our kids can't still be learning! Holding hands, walking and talking with young children is a fantastic way to help our little people learn how to stay safe in and around traffic.
Parents and caregivers play an important part in teaching their children about road safety. Children learn largely by experience, and as parents and carers we have regular, daily opportunities to discuss road safety with our children while on the way to the shops, park, beach or school.
When crossing the road, talk about where and when it is safe to cross the road and why!
When crossing the road, look out before you step out