Planning a trip to Oceania, which includes Australia, New Zealand, and thousands of Pacific Islands, can feel somewhat daunting, with a long list of enticing destinations to consider. Australia alone is an incredibly vast country, spanning about 2,500 miles from east to west, with many of its top travel spots spread over a significant distance. But CN Traveler’s recent ranking of The Best Places to Go in Oceania in 2026 might make that task a bit easier, highlighting some surprising possibilities, most notably, Port Stephens.
While the publication also spotlighted Adelaide with its recent hotel boom, the cultural playground of Perth, and Darwin, a gateway to the Northern Territory, it also featured the small town of Port Stephens in New South Wales.
The Perfect Spot on an East Coast Itinerary
Located just over two hours from Sydney, Port Stephens can easily be included on your way to the Gold Coast or points further north in Queensland. Not only have an impressive number of new accommodation options opened, from luxury vacation rentals at the Salt at Shoal Bay and the ocean-view Marina Resort to caravan parks and cabins, but there is a wide range of things to see and do.
What to Do
Spend Time at the Beach
There are over two dozen pristine beaches in Port Stephens. Highlights include Fingal Bay with a sand spit that connects to Fingal Island, Birubi with its dramatic dunes, and the popular surfing stretch at One Mile Beach. If you want to escape the crowds, head to secluded Zenith Beach, a breathtaking stretch tucked between rocky headlands.
Go on a Dolphin- or Whale-Watching Boat Tour
There are so many resident bottlenose dolphins in Port Stephens that tour operators typically guarantee that you’ll see them, offering a free return trip if you don’t. If you visit between May and November, you’ll also have the chance to see humpback whales up close.
Take in a Panoramic View from Mount Tomaree
Located in Tomaree National Park, Mount Tomaree separates Shoal Bay from the open waters of the Tasman Sea, rising nearly 530 feet. A short hike, less than three-quarters of a mile to the top, will bring you to the summit for one of the most jaw-dropping views along Australia’s east coast.
Ride a Camel on the Sand
One of the most unique and quirky experiences that can be enjoyed in Port Stephens is a guided camel tour where you’ll ride across soft, silky sands and through the dunes, something that’s especially unforgettable at sunset.
Take a Trek Through the Rainforest in Barrington Tops National Park
Barrington Tops National Park is home to the UNESCO-listed Gondwana Rainforests, the world’s largest and most significant remaining areas of subtropical rainforest. It’s easy to make time for the Antarctic Beech Forest walking track, a short loop that takes only about 30 minutes to cover, surrounded by ancient, moss-covered Antarctic beech trees, some of which are over a thousand years old.
