East Coast Australia - around Sydney

Last months I travelled from Sydney to Cairns and then back. I had a roadtrip from Sydney to Cairns and I visited most of the places on the east coast of New South Wales, crossed the border of Queensland and spent some time along the coast up to Cairns. I regret not having had the right amount of time and money to enjoy the east coast properly and I really look forward to going back one day and enjoy all the islands that are closed to the coast and some amazing places I would have spent more time in, such as Sunshine Coast, Noosa Head, etc..

The New South Wales is a nice state. Similar to Victoria but greener and closer to tropical Queensland, it has plenty of national parks and reserves and a wonderful coast. Not a surprise that I prefer the northern part close to the border with Queensland as far as the weather is concerned and the environment itself, with the colour of the ocean getting more light blue and wonderful. Anyway it doesn't really matter where, I found some interesting places along the way, beautiful spots just for relaxing and getting in touch with nature and fun spots with nice people and a good vibe.

Nelson Bay is the closest nice place to Sydney I found on the coast. It is part of Port Stephen region and it is home to dolphins and whales (only during the migration season from May to November/December).

The town is nice and supported by tourism and all the services for tourists provided. Dolphin watching cruises and whale watching cruises are always available for tourists, more than one time a day  the cruises leave the marina and the harbour and offer different services to fulfil the costumer. There are cruise ships where you can have fun and dip yourself in the water laying down on a net aside the boat, there are other boats that offer lunch and/or dinner while sightseeing the bay and around, just cruising and offering a relaxed atmosphere.

Other attraction close to Nelson Bay is Stockton Sand Dunes in Anna Bay, just twenty minutes from Nelson Bay. Usually you can combine the dolphin cruise and sand boarding on the dunes and enjoy a full day of action. It is quite fun and involving :) 

Part of Port Stephen is also Tea Gardens and Winda Woppa at the further end of Hawks Nest with Jonny's beach (sounds like Jonny is my best friend, but is just the name the beach has got), a nice and long white sandy beach. This area is situated on the other side of Port Stephens, north of it along the coast and is a wonderful place to have piece and be quite relaxed. A little river crosses the land and goes into the ocean, being an ideal place where to go fishing or enjoy a water activities such as kayaking, maybe during sunset time with its orange/ red colours that shine in the sky.

Inland and just two hours and a half from Sydney is the Hunter Valley. Known nationally as one of the best valley for wine and food, the Hunter Valley offers wine tasting at every cellar door and vineyard, plus wonderful view of the region from Mt Bright and Bimbadeen Lookout. It is a wonderful place to visit for a day or a week end with the family or the love one or friends. It is also home of the Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin that are 60 hectares and described as wonderful and unique colourful gardens with few small shops nearby.