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If you’re looking for inspiration for a long weekend getaway with the family, then you’ve come to the right place with a range of getaways presented by Mahindra.
We’ll explore a range of destinations that are perfect for growing families and offer just as many surprises and delights as that XUV700 we drive.
The XUV700 seats seven people with three rows of seating, an efficient 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, numerous amenities and the latest digital technologies to make a long weekend getaway both enjoyable and safe.
In this episode we head to the beautiful resort town of Port Stephens on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.
How do I get there?
Located 214km – or a 2.5-hour drive – north of Sydney, Port Stephens is one of New South Wales’ most popular seaside holiday destinations.
It’s an easy drive on the Pacific Highway through the central coast before turning into Tomago just past the Hunter River crossing.
There are plenty of places to take a break along the way, but only one large petrol station on the highway in Wyong.
However, if you want to stroll into Port Stephens, there are a number of interesting side trips, including a visit to the famous Hunter Valley wine region or the vibrant port city of Newcastle.
Where to stay
Port Stephens is primarily a holiday resort and therefore has a wide range of accommodation options, including some of the country’s highest-rated family-friendly caravan parks, as well as budget motels, serviced apartments, five-star resorts and glamorous Airbnb homes.
The Port Stephens area has a number of unique areas, with Nelson Bay being at the center as it is home to the main shopping area and marina. Then there’s Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay to the east, Corlette, Salamander Bay and Soldiers Point to the west, and One Mile Beach and Anna Bay to the south.
Each location has its own character and it’s easy to find your way around to explore the different beaches and activities available.
Where to eat
The options in Port Stephens are endless, from five-star restaurants to alfresco cafes, bowling clubs, trend-setting beach clubs and some of the best takeaway fish and chip shops in the country.
Rick Stein at Bannister’s, a luxury five-star hotel in Soldiers Point, is at the top of the list. The famous British celebrity chef serves a selection of simple but exotic fish dishes.
Or for something more casual, head to Cheeky Dog next door for a modern Mediterranean twist on classic pub grub.
Nelson Bay has plenty of family-friendly restaurants at D’Albora Marina, but you’ll also find some great cafes and restaurants on the tree-lined shopping street Magnus Street or at the bistro at the Seabreeze Hotel across the street.
And over in Shoal Bay, you can watch the sun hit the sparkling water from the roof of Shoal Bay Country Club or through the open windows at Atmos, grab some fish and chips at Aussie Bobs and head to the pristine white sand, or find a picnic table on the boulevard.
What to do
A long weekend in Port Stephens is a true getaway with some of the country’s most beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for the whole family.
Whale watching and dolphin watching
Port Stephens is known as a whale watching destination. Several tour operators offer half-day or full-day cruises to view the majestic humpback whales during the migration season between May and November.
The bay is also home to hundreds of bottlenose dolphins, which often frolic in the bow waves.
fishing
Port Stephens is also a renowned fishing spot, whether you’re simply docking at one of the countless jetties, fishing from the beach, diving or heading out to hunt big game.
Pet a shark
If you want to get up close and personal with the marine life without catching it, the Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters in Anna Bay is a great place to visit.
Here you can feed or pet the sharks and stingrays as part of the aquarium’s fully interactive tour, or walk in the shallows or snorkel with them for an additional fee.
Learn to surf
The shallow waters in the bay are perfect for stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking. The region also has a number of well-protected beaches with gentle waves where you can easily learn to surf.
There are a number of surf schools that can rent surfing equipment and offer expert lessons.
Ride a camel or quad bike on the beach
If there are no waves in the winter months or the water is too cold, why not ride something completely different on the beach, such as a camel or a quad bike?
Stockton Beach is one of the largest sand dune landscapes in the country, stretching for 20 miles between Anna Bay at the northern end and the Newcastle suburb of Stockton to the south.
In Anna Bay, Oakfield Ranch offers 20-minute camel rides daily between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., as well as hour-long sunset rides on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Further down the beach in Williamtown is Quad Bike King, which offers one-hour and 45-minute guided tours of the sand dunes on four-wheeled quads.
Fighter world
Just down the road is Williamtown Airport, a mixed-use air force base and the commercial aviation hub for Newcastle and the surrounding regions.
For plane spotters, there is a parking lot at the end of the runway where you can watch the planes taking off and landing up close.
You never know, you might even see one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets, the F-35 Lightning, in action.
Or next door, visit Fighter World, a RAAF aviation history museum with more than 15 aircraft on display, including an F/A-18A and an F-111.
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