Shoal Bay, North Coast — New South Wales

Shoal Bay is a town located within the Port Stephens Local Government Area, in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. The place-name was said to be derived from the numerous sand shoals during the time of Governor General Macquarie, who gave the place its name.

During summer, visitors from big cities like Sydney flock to Shoal Bay to spend some quality time together with family and loved ones.

The town is located on the edge of the Tomaree National Park, where coastal bush land views can be enjoyed. The park is adjacent to several beaches in the area, which boast of white sands and sparkling waters. The walking paths within the park are frequented by visitors who wish to experience trekking and bushwalking. Those who reach Tomaree Head via a paved path will surely appreciate the breathtaking views all around this summit, considered one of the best not only of the country but of the world. On the way back, visitors will come to the site of World War II gun emplacements, another historic heritage of the area.

The beach fronting Shoal Bay is ideal for swimming, with its long stretch of sand providing ample space for families and groups of friends. Other kinds of water sports are done in the area, like surfing, water skiing, parasailing, and boating. There are a lot of establishments dotting the foreshores that rent out boats and equipments.

The waters of Shoal Bay are also part of the Halifax Park Aquatic Reserve, established to provide protection to marine creatures in the area. Because of this, fishing is strictly prohibited within the zone, leading to the proliferation of different kinds of fishes and corals in the area. However, humans can still enjoy its underwater bounty through scuba diving and snorkeling. There are several dive centers within the town and its surrounding areas that offer equipments and boats to interested individuals.

Avid fishermen need not despair, as there are also several designated fishing spots in the area. Boats can also be hired for deep sea fishing trips that will surely guarantee a good catch.

These boat trips also provide opportunities for getting close to dolphins in the bay, which by now are already used to frequent human visitors. From May to November, the harbor and adjacent coastline becomes pathways for migrating whales. This provides another major tourist attraction to the area, with several boats available for hire to go whale watching.

The restaurants around Shoal Bay offer some fantastic menus, especially seafood dishes that use only the freshest catch of the day.

A public golf course is also situated in the adjacent Nelson Bay, for those wishing to indulge in a round or two of golfing, with the harbor and the bush land as their backdrops.

Those who wish to explore the surrounding areas can ask tour companies to arrange four-wheel or six-wheel drives to Stockton Beach, where massive mobile sand dunes are located right on the coast. There are also available tours to nearby wineries, for which the Hunter Region has an abundance of.