Shoal Bay Resort & Spa

Shoal Bay Resort and Spa was originally the Country Club Hotel, a favourite with both locals and holiday makers since 1954. Recent restorations and refurbishments have resulted in the award-winning 4.5 star Shoal Bay Resort and Spa.

As well as excellent accommodation, the resort offers four restaurants, five bars, three swimming pools and the $5.5 million Aqua Spa.

Our Barrington Apartments with excellent water views are one or two bedroom, separate from the living area, and complete with kitchen. One bedroom apartments have shower over bath, two bedroom have two bathrooms, main with walk in shower. The second bedroom does not have an outside window. Apartments are serviced daily.

Shoal Bay is nestled on 5 acres on the edge of Shoal Bay – crystal clear waterways and magnificent volcanic headlands. There are so many scenic attractions we could stay much longer than ten days.

Enjoy buffet breakfasts in the resort’s restaurant. Light lunches are included on all days except day 6. Dinners are at a variety of restaurants within the resort or close by, mostly within walking distance.

Day trips will be shorter, mostly departing 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. and returning by 4:00 p.m. or a little earlier. This allows plenty of time for beach strolls, lattes in nearby cafés and, if you wish, a swim or spa.

Day 1 (L,D) HOME, NEWCASTLE, PORT STEPHENS

Following Melbourne metropolitan home/hotel pick up we travel to Melbourne Airport for our flight north to Newcastle. Interstate passengers fly direct to Newcastle or via other ports. Lunch in flight. Our Young at Heart coach awaits. On arrival we make our way to our home for nine nights, the Shoal Bay Resort and Spa, set on the pristine sands of Shoal Bay in Port Stephens. Relax, unpack and settle in to this delightful resort. Tonight enjoy a seafood buffet dinner together.

Day 2 (B,L,D) STOCKTON SAND DUNES 4WD TOUR, MURRAYS BREWERY AND PORT STEPHENS WINERY

This morning we take a four wheel drive tour to the Sygna shipwreck along the magnificant Stockton Sand Dunes. The wind-blown sand dunes of Stockton Beach comprise the largest continuous mobile mass in New South Wales. These tiny yellow grains have been washed in from the sea and blown ashore to form dunes up to thirty metres high. Lunch and wine and beer tasting at Murrays Brewery and Port Stephens Winery followed by free time at the resort later in the afternoon.

Day 3 (B,L,D) GAN GAN HILL, TANILBA HOUSE, TILLIGERRY PENINSULA

This morning we visit beautiful Fingal Bay then Gan Gan Hill, Port Stephens’ highest and most accessible lookout. From a height of 160 metres we enjoy commanding views of the whole of Port Stephens, right through to Newcastle in the south and the Myall Lakes to the north. Morning tea at Boat Harbour before we journey to Tanilba House for a guided tour and lunch. You may even catch a glimpse of the resident ghost! During the afternoon enjoy Tilligerry Peninsula and Soldiers Point before returning to the Resort at Shoal Bay.

Day 4 (B,L,D) KURRI KURRI, HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS

A highlight today as we visit the magnificent Hunter Valley Gardens located in the heart of the Hunter vineyards at the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges. Journey through Hexham, Maitland and Branxton. At the Hunter Valley Gardens we enjoy morning tea before a guided tour around the 25 hectares of sensational sights, colours and fragrances on a people mover. Time to stroll and enjoy before lunch at the Gardens Café. We travel back to the Resort via Cessnock and Kurri Kurri where we stop to look at the very attractive murals, each with a “hidden” Kookaburra.

Day 5 (B,L,D) NEWCASTLE

This morning we depart for Newcastle, a city rich in history, once a penal colony then a coal mining port and a steel producing city developed by BHP and situated on the coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We enjoy a relaxing morning taking in the views along the wharf area and ocean beaches in Newcastle and a ride with a difference on the famous Newcastle Tram as it rumbles past the major attractions of central Newcastle and the waterfront. Lunch on the recently developed Queens Wharf old dockside area. We return for some free time at Shoal Bay Resort this afternoon.

Day 6 (B,D) PORT STEPHENS

A day at leisure today. Relax by the pool or revitalise your senses with an early morning walk along picturesque trails with stunning panoramic views. The Resort shuttle bus will take you into Nelson Bay for shopping or you may want to take a helicopter ride or visit a winery. Or you may wish to book in for that special spa treatment for which the resort is famous. The day is yours to enjoy. (Lunch today is not included in your fare.)

Day 7 (B,L,D) INNER HEAD LIGHTHOUSE, TEA GARDENS, NELSON BAY, PORT STEPHENS

Today begins with a tour of the Inner Head Lighthouse. Enjoy morning tea here with views over looking Shoal Bay. We continue to Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest for lunch and a walk along the riverfront before boarding the classic older-style timber ferry returning to Nelson Bay across Port Stephens Bay. Some free time this afternoon.

Day 8 (B,L,D) PORT STEPHENS

Visit Port Stephens Community Arts Centre. See an incredible range of artwork and special craft pieces reflecting the region’s artisans. We continue to Raymond Terrace and Sketchley Cottage and Museum for a guided tour and lunch. Sketchley Cottage is a rare timber slab colonial farm house (circa 1850’s) that was originally a one-roomed house. It was enlarged and added to as the family grew. Following lunch a short drive to the historic town of Morpeth. Classified by the National Trust, Morpeth was established in 1821 on the banks of the Hunter River. It was once a thriving river port for ships taking goods around Australia and the world. Returning to Shoal Bay we pause at Medowie Macadamias. An informative talk is followed by home-made macadamia ice cream.

Day 9 (B,L,D) DOLPHIN SPOTTING CRUISE

Following breakfast in our apartments, enjoy the morning aboard the Moonshadow V, a Supercat catamaran, on a dolphin spotting cruise with 99% success rate. This oceangoing cruise offers views of the spectacular headlands and the outer islands as well as underwater cameras to view the marine life at close range. Morning tea and expert commentary are included, followed by a buffet lunch. An easy paced day with free time this afternoon at the Resort.

Day 10 (B,L) PORT STEPHENS, HOME

Sadly we must depart. Our coach will take us to Fighterworld Aviation Museum, where we see a comprehensive display of the history of the Royal Australian Air Force. Following lunch we make our way to Newcastle Airport nearby, where we board our flight to Melbourne or other home ports. Upon arrival in Melbourne, home/hotel transfers are available. So concludes a most relaxing and enjoyable stayput Young at Heart holiday in beautiful Port Stephens.