The Hunter Coast & Port Stephens is a great beachside vaction area

The Hunter Coast & Port Stephens regions of New South Wales are not exactly secret spots to Australians, but they rarely receive the rave overseas reviews they deserve. This is probably because they are not as glamorous or developed as some other coastal regions. What these areas lack in development, though, they more than make up for in hospitality, outdoor activities and natural beauty. After you have taken the time to visit the beautiful Hunter Coast and Port Stephens area, it will be on your list of favorite NSW vacation places forever.

Port Stephens' European history goes all the way back to Captain Cook, who noted it on the 11th of May, 1770 and named it after the Secretary of the Admiralty. Twenty-one years later, in 1791, the 1st ship explored the inland waterways and by the first decades of the 1800s, Port Stephens was being used for shipping lumber and other goods and as a stopover for the whaling ships that were active up and down the NSW coast in that era.

While the days of the whaling ships have ended, the great humpback whales continue their yearly migration. Nowadays, Port Stephens is well known as the launching point for whale watching vessels. Recognized as the Dolphin Capital of Australia because of the great numbers of bottleneck dolphins that call the Port Stephens area home, over the migratory months of May-June and September-November, those who go on dolphin tours often get the additional thrill of spotting migrating humpbacks. Due to abundance of unique marine life in the area, the Hunter Coast from Newcastle's Stockton Beach to Forster at its northern border has been declared a Marine Park, including the Karuah River, the Myall River and other inland tidal waterways.

If one thing defines the Hunter Coast, it would be water. Surfers and other ocean sports lovers find everything they want over the 90 miles (145 kilometers) of coastline, like sheltered beaches for family fun and exposed points and reefs for skilled surfers only. The inland waterways of the Great Lakes are a paradise for jet skiers, water skiers and everyone else who likes to get out on the water. Between the coastal beaches and the vast network of inland waterways, there's nothing you cannot get on the Hunter Coast if you like the water.

There is a great deal to do and see within the Hunter Coast & Port Stephens region, you can't even begin to appreciate it in a single day. The only way to do it justice would be to book into a Port Stephens accommodation and give the area a weekend at the very least. There isn't any lack of places to stay in the area. If you like pitching a tent, there are dozens of campgrounds in the area. If you prefer more luxury and all the comforts of home, then pick a cozy Nelson Bay Bed & Breakfast or a Port Stephens resort hotel. Next time you start planning your New South Wales vacation; plan it around Port Stephens and the Hunter Coast. You'll be glad you did.

Take a few days off, find nsw hunter coast, things to do and other travel related information about the area on bookitnow.com.au. Or visit our Australia blog for more Australian holiday ideas.