You have to experience sandboarding in Port Stephens. The thrill of sliding down the spectacular Stockton Sand Dunes is so much fun. From the meeting point at Birubi beach, you will board the custom-built off-road vehicle to start your adventure on the short, bouncy ride into the largest moving sand mass in the southern hemisphere. The dunes stretch 32 kilometers, the entire length of Stockton Beach, and can reach over 40 meters high, the same as a 10 storey building. The views alone are spectacular. Once you are in the dunes, the team will give you a rundown on sandboarding and how to use the handmade custom-designed boards for maximum safety and speed. Then you are off. Climb to the top of the dunes, jump on your board, then slide on down and repeat. Your ticket includes unlimited sandboarding so you can stay and play as long as you like. For most people that’s about 1 – 1.5 hours. When you're done just jump back aboard one of the 4WD buses, that leave every half an hour, and be taken back to the Birubi Beach starting point. It’s an amazing experience for everyone, no matter your age. The instructors are always on hand to help, answer any questions about sandboarding, Port Stephens or the dunes and to make sure you have maximum fun. Don’t forget to bring your camera along as you’ll have the chance to capture some amazing Port Stephens holiday snaps.

Take a cruise around magnificent Port Stephens Harbour on the biggest boat in the bay. Keep an eye out for the resident Bottlenose Dolphins as you head out on the water. Take in the sights of Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands, Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay, and the Northern Harbour. Sit back and relax on the deck area, or if you feel like getting a bit wet, join in the boom net action. Slide down the Twist, Twirl, and Splash Waterslide attached to the boat, which whirls you into the boom net. Enjoy entertaining and informative commentary on board. If you feel like indulging in something a little different, there is a licensed bar on board that you can choose to purchase from. 

Overlooking magnificent Sydney Harbour, Taronga Zoo is just 12 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay and offers amazing wildlife experiences with stunning harbor views. Nestled on the shores of the world's most beautiful harbor, Taronga Zoo is surrounded by lush bushland of Bradley's Head National Park, popular for early morning walks. Ferries depart from Circular Quay every 30 minutes. The Zoo has many popular trails to explore including the Australian Walkabout, Kids' Trail, Reptile World, African Savannah, Rainforest Trail, Seal Walk, Seals for the Wild, and the iconic must-see Free Flight Birds presentations. Zoo entry includes keeper talks and presentations. The many exhibits in Taronga Zoo can be reached by footpaths, ramps, lifts and escalators. 90% of Taronga Zoo is fully accessible. Strollers can be hired from the Visitor Information Desk in the main entrance at a small fee and manual wheelchairs can be rented for free and should be booked in advance.

Have plenty of time to explore Taronga Western Plains Zoo with a 2-day entry ticket. Walk, drive, or ride around the zoo's 5-kilometer circuit and see its rare and endangered animals. Enjoy access to the Welcome Plaza to shop or relax during your visit. Explore the zoo at your own pace and see its 100s of animals including giraffes, rhinos, elephants, and big cats. Be sure to check out the daily keeper activities (included with your ticket), special tours, and animal encounters. Your tickets are valid for 2 consecutive days, giving you ample time to experience all that is on offer. The zoo's Welcome Plaza includes a shop, playground, and cafe overlooking the Savannah Lake and Primate Island, home to black-handed spider monkeys and ring-tailed lemurs.

Pre-book your entrance ticket to Taronga Zoo and meet hundreds of remarkable species of animals from around the world. Enjoy the benefit of a ferry return ticket from Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, Watsons Bay or Manly (from 1st April). Nestled on the shores of one of the most beautiful harbours in the world, Taronga Zoo is just 12 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay and is home to over 4,000 animals. Explore the Australian native wildlife as well as rare and endangered exotic animals. See tigers, elephants, exotic birds, and many other species of animals. Spend a fun-filled day out with your family in one of the most famous attractions of Sydney. 

The shallows encounter offers you the opportunity to get close to sharks and rays in a natural lagoon-style habitat. Get to know the true nature of these animals in a safe and educational environment. When you arrive at Irukandji you will be greeted by staff members who will guide you through the whole process, from learning how to interact safely with the animals to providing you with all the equipment needed to enter the water and meet the animals. Choose from the option of wearing your own clothes in the water and just getting your feet and legs wet, or renting a wetsuit for an extra $10 to get fully immersed in the warm water of the lagoon. You can choose to go barefoot or cover up your toes with a pair of wear and keep souvenir socks. At the lagoons, you will be given a feeding stick and food for the sharks and rays, and then guided around to the different pools by a knowledgable fish keeper. Each of the pools is home to different species of fish with specific food and information provided at each one. You will get to reach in and interact with the animals as they swim around in their aquatic homes. Irukandji features 2 large, deep, natural-style lagoons housing a variety of different animals. In the Fingill lagoon, you’ll meet a whole bunch of friendly and curious rays who will glide over your feet and eagerly snatch the food from your sticks. Reach down to pet them and feel the different textures of their skin. Then over at the tropical lagoon, meet a few more rays plus a variety of shark species including zebra sharks, brown-banded bamboo sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and the huge tawny nurse sharks. You can interact with them while listening to the keepers as they give educational talks about sharks, rays, and marine conservation. Afterward, you can rinse off under a warm shower and towel down before heading in for a cruise around the tropical aquarium, watching the clownfish flounce busily around the anemone and the lionfish proudly cruise around their home. Check out the souvenir shop for a large range of sustainable gifts, cute fluffy toys, snacks, cold drinks, and hot coffee.

Experience the most fun way to travel to Taronga Zoo and save money with a return ticket on the rocket ferry Circular Quay. Once inside the zoo, take in as many of the exhibits as you like at your own pace. Explore 10 themed areas, including Wild Australia, Wild Asia and the Great Southern Oceans. Hear talks by the zookeepers and go to interactive shows, such as the free bird show and free seal show. See native Australian animals, including koala and platypus, along with creatures from around the world such as Asian elephants, lions and giraffe. Grab some lunch at one of the many cafés, or take your own picnic and find a nice spot in the shade. Once you've had your animal fix for the day, head back to the dock and get some amazing views of Sydney on the cruise back to Circular Quay.

Enjoy a visit to the Sydney Aquarium to see huge sharks, stingrays, turtles, jellyfish, platypuses, penguins, sea dragons, and much, much more! Marvel at the sawfish swimming amongst tropical fish and sleek sharks in the enormous Great Barrier Reef display. Be delighted by little penguins in the Southern Oceans, or look out for the secretive platypus in the Southern Rivers. See the enormous Japanese Spider Crabs in the CLAWS creature feature, watch as the dugongs feed, then find Nemo in his coral home!

Take in the beautiful scenery of Jervis Bay from a unique perspective on the water. Cruise across the bay, look out for local bottlenose dolphins and enjoy the views of the long sandy beaches that are fringed by spectacular national parks. Cruise above the crystal clear water and admire the contrast with the rocky headlands and towering sea cliffs of Point Perpendicular. See the variety of local bird species and abundant marine life from the comfort of the boat.

Discover the Bottlenose dolphins that live in the pristine ecosystem of Jervis Bay. A protected marine park for 20 years, Jervis Bay is home to over 80 Bottlenose dolphins who love to frolic in its crystal-clear waters. Embark on a tour and search for the pods of these playful and friendly creatures. While on tour on the pristine waters, take part in the boom netting activity on board. As the boat cruises through the water, enjoy a fun jacuzzi-like experience as you sit in the boom net, sometimes surrounded by curious dolphins.