Port Stephens Area - Little Beach - November/December 2016

Little Beach

Little Beach - looking towards the Marina

Little Bay Boat Ramp

Little Beach Marina

our favourite stop for an afternoon drink

Little Beach Marina Restaurant ant Wine Bar
Little Beach Boathouse

a very popular spot in the Port Stephens area

Little Beach Marina Restaurant (upstairs)

and wine bar (downstairs and balcony)

Little Bay Beach looking from the Marina

Children's play area at Little Beach

Icecream/food shop at our camping area end of Little Beach

24 hour bait shop at Little Beach

Looking towards Little Beach from our camping area

Little Beach - small level beach and shallow water

Little Beach for safe swimming without rough waves.

Little Beach - late afternoon

Little Beach - late afternoon

Little Beach - boat restrictions

Little Beach - late afternoon

popular with small families

Little Beach - lawn area in front of the sand

Relaxing at the Little Beach Wine Bar - late afternoon

Marina wharf area

Looking back to our camping area at the far end of the beach

from the Little Beach Wine Bar

Little Beach - late afternoon

Wharf area at Little Beach - popular fishing spot

Balcony at Little Beach Wine Bar

Map of Little Beach - left of Shoal Bay,

right of Nelson bay

We spent the best part of two weeks in the Shoalhaven Area and Little Beach was our central area.

We stayed at the Halifax Caravan Park which is right on Little Beach which we could easily reach by stepping out of the camp area pedestrian gateway that is near the ice cream/food shop, turning right and walking down to the beach area through the car park.

We could also access the Shoal Bay Beach area through the back pedestrian gates.

We found Little Bay suited us for a quick swim in safe waters.  There is no wild surf on this side of Nelson Head and the water was not as cold as the surf as the water is shallow.  There is also a nice lawn area to sit and rest away from the sand.

This area is popular with small families because of the safety and also there is a children's play ground at the far end of the beach towards the Marina.

Also at the far end of the beach the Marina has a Restaurant and a Wine Bar which we frequented for a late afternoon drink.  We did not get to the restaurant while we were there as they had the venue booked out for a wedding the night we wanted to go.  The prices were reasonable enough for a holiday venue and the area had a nice ambience.

Port Stephens area - Lighthouse at Nelson Head - November/December 2016

Nelson Head Lighthouse Trust sign

Whale Bone in the gardens

Relic from the Coastal Patrol Boat

Screens used by the weather station

Information on the original light

View from the front lawns

beautifully manicured gardens of the Lighthouse area

Outside the Coffee Shop and main building

Outside area of the Coffee Shop

View looking out to sea

View of the coastline towards Shoal bay

Outside area of the coffee shop

a nice way to while away an hour

Outside area of the coffee shop

with breathtaking views of the coastline

Old Map of the area

Historic Buildings

Walkway to historic buildings

Entry to the Coffee Shop

Outside the Lighthouse

End of the coffee shop leading to the Marine Rescue Base

and the Gift Shop

View of the Lighthouse from the Coffee Shop

Entry to the Light Room

accessible near the Coffee Shop

View from the coffee shop looking out to sea

beautiful views from the Coffee Shop

looking towards Shoal Bay

at the Coffee Shop looking down the hill

towards our camping area

View from the coffee shop

Mountain Parrott sitting near our table

Plenty of Mountain Parrots to keep us company

on our coffee break

Map of the Nelson Bay Area

Lighthouse is situated at Nelson Head

We spent the best part of two weeks in the Port Stephens area and we stayed at Halifax Camping Park which is nestled at the foot of the lighthouse.

Our first visit to the lighthouse was on a fine day but we were too early for the Coffee Shop which opens at 10 oçlock.

Access to the lighthouse is from Little Beach and can be reached by car but there is limited parking

- it is possible to walk the distance from the beach if you are reasonably fit. 

On our first visit we had a good look at the outside of the area and enjoyed the wonderful views from the top. It was a beautiful weather day and the views along the coastline made it worth the visit.

Our second visit was for a coffee break and it was unfortunately a showery day.  We were still able to access an outside table that was not too wet and we enjoyed a nice coffee before looking around the lighthouse area which is run by the Volunteers of the Marine Rescue including the gift shop which had some very nice and reasonable priced gifts.