Tomaree National Park

Swimming

Box Beach in Tomaree National Park (Image: G Woods)Take extreme care if you're swimming or rock fishing as strong rips and undercurrents, as well as dangerous surf conditions, can occur along this part of the coast. Most of the beaches are not patrolled, however there is a patrolled swimming area at Fingal Bay in front of the Surf Life Saving Club. Kingsley Beach is a local 'secret' and a popular unpatrolled swimming spot. One Mile Beach is a popular beach for surfers and families and is easily accessed via a walking track from the council carpark at Hannah Parade. A council lifeguard may be in attendance over the summer period. Samurai Beach is a popular swimming spot with visitors and locals and is declared a 'nude bathing beach' under the Local Government Act. You can access Samurai Beach via the 4WD vehicle corridor, off Gan Gan Road.

The picturesque Zenith Beach is a short walk from either the lower or upper Zenith Beach carparks. It is a popular picnic and surfing beach, especially in the summer months. Zenith Beach is a sanctuary zone and fishing and collecting are not permitted.

Wreck Beach is a more remote beach which you can reach along the Wreck Beach walk. Box Beach is another popular swimming, body-boarding and surfing spot and at low tide has some interesting rockpools.

Detailed information about the Port Stephens beaches can be found on  the Port Stephens Council website.

Where to go

Anna Bay foreshore

The rocky foreshore at Anna Bay is a popular place for fishing, snorkelling, picnicking, whale watching, swimming and surfing.

The Iris Moore day use area has picnic tables and Robinson Reserve has gas and electric barbeques, toilets and picnic tables. Birubi Beach at the end of James Paterson Street is patrolled by the Surf Lifesaving Club during peak visitor times. This is the southern-most point of the Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park that extends north to Forster.

Park at Iris Moore day use area, Robinson Reserve or Pacific Street, Anna Bay.

Activities: swimming, fishing, sightseeing, whale watching

Road access: Sealed road -

Facilities: picnic tables, gas/electric barbecues (free), amenities block, flush toilets, carpark

Contact: Nelson Bay, Phone: 02 4984 8200

Fishermans Bay foreshore

Fishermans Bay foreshore in Tomaree National Park is a wonderful place for a family day out by the sea.

Featuring a lovely, secluded beach, it’s a great area for swimming and snorkelling on a sunny day. If you’re there between May and October it’s a good spot to watch whales on their annual migration along the north coast.

If you’re looking to go boating or kayaking for the day, you can launch your vessel from the small boat ramp here. And you’ll be able to find out more about the area at the information bay.

If you’re there at low tide, you could head out on an exploration – you never know what exotic sea creatures you may see.

Activities: swimming, paddling, sailing, snorkelling, fishing, whale watching, picnicking, playing and socialising

Getting there: Fishermans Bay foreshore is accessible via Pacific Street at Fishermans Bay.

To get there:

  • Take Gan Gan Road from Anna Bay or Nelson Bay and turn east into Morna Point Road
  • Turn left into Fishermans Bay Road

Road access: Sealed road - 2WD vehicles.

Facilities: boat ramp, carpark

Contact: Nelson Bay, Phone: 02 4984 8200