Total distance approximately 200kms from the Harbour Bridge.

Average travel time approximately 2 ½  hours.

From Sydney, take the Pacific Highway north to the F3 Freeway turn off just before Hornsby. Turn right onto the F3.
Continue travelling north over the Mooney Mooney Bridge and the Newcastle turn off, following the signs for “Taree”.
Do not take any exits.
10 kilometres before the end of the Freeway you will see a large brown sign informing you that the Port Stephens turn off is 20km away.
If you miss the sign, don’t worry, just keep going.
At the end of the Freeway, turn right at the roundabout into John Renshaw Drive, following the sign “Hexham and Pacific Highway” (BP service station and Hungry Jacks will be on your left).
The road veers to the right and merges with the New England Highway after which you should enter the left lane and look for the sign “Taree & Pacific Highway” which directs you over the Hexham Bridge.
You are now on the Pacific Highway heading north.
Turn right at the first set of traffic lights after crossing the Hexham bridge (Tomago Road).
Follow this to the end and turn left onto Nelson Bay Road and follow the signs to Nelson Bay.
At Nelson Bay, in the 50kph zone, turn left at the roundabout into Church St (near Bunnings, the roundabout has a wave sculpture on top)
Turn right at the next roundabout – Government Road.
This becomes Victoria Parade and runs along the waterfront – (water on left).
Victoria Parade swings around to the right and becomes Shoal Bay Rd.
Travel along Shoal Bay Rd from Nelson Bay and turn right into Shoal Bay Avenue immediately after Harbourside Haven retirement village.

Shoal Bay Bed and Breakfast, where you collect your keys, is number 15 Shoal Bay Avenue, Shoal Bay and on the left hand side driving away from the beach.

NOTE: If you are using Satellite Navigation, do NOT enter the street number 15 unless you have the latest version (Ver. 15) of maps by ‘Where Is’.

Location Maps

Driving instructions and sightseeing