Explore Port Stephens: Where to eat, play, stay and snap a selfie

Think of Port Stephens and images of beautiful beaches, stunning sand dunes and whales come to mind. And while it is indeed home to all of those things, Port Stephens - north of Newcastle - is so much more.

The place that visitors know as Port Stephens is what locals call "the Bay" - that is, Nelson Bay on the Tomaree Peninsula and its surrounds (Anna Bay, One Mile, Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay). You can soak up the small town coastal charm the Bay has retained and spend lazy days wandering into its many cafes and boutique stores, or enjoying the beaches or walking trails along the coast or in the national parks.

At d'Albora Marina you can listen to live music, grab a souvenir, a coffee or a meal, see local art or play games in the arcade. If you're with kids, stroll along the foreshore and ogle all the boats docked at the marina. Visit Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Splash Waterpark, Oakvale Wildlife Park in Salt Ash, Toboggan Hill Park or the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary. Snorkel at Fly Point or join a diving/snorkelling tour. If you love fishing, you can cast a line pretty much anywhere around the Bay and land something, or join a fishing charter. For the more adventurous, adrenaline-pumping opportunities can be found on the Stockton sand dunes - jump on a quad bike or a 4WD tagalong tour, see our 'tin city' hidden in the dunes or enjoy a sand boarding experience.

Port Stephens is a foodie's delight, and not short on fresh seafood. You can't go past a good fish and chip shop - stop in at Bub's Famous Fish and Chips or Salt Mine. See what chefs do with local seafood at Little Beach Boathouse, Bannisters Port Stephens, The Wild Herring and The Point Restaurant. You can also pick fresh seafood up from the Nelson Bay Fish Market or Holberts Oyster Farm in Salamander Bay. To eat with a view, visit Shoal Bay Country Club, Saltwater Restaurant or Crest Birubi Beach.

Port Stephens has no shortage of accommodation options from backpackers, holiday parks, glamping tents and treehouses, to holiday homes, hotels and apartments.

For treehouse-style accommodation, check out Wanderers Retreat, or stay in a glamping tent at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary. There are a number of holiday parks located across the Tomaree Peninsula, but never far from the water. For something more deluxe, check out The Anchorage or Bannisters Port Stephens.

Another popular accommodation hub, which underwent a $3 million refurbishment in September, is the Ramada Resort located right on the Shoal Bay esplanade.

Snapping a selfie. Stop at the entry into Nelson Bay where you'll find a whale-y big photo opportunity. Trust me, you'll know what that means when you see it.

But for an unmatched selfie location, you'll have to go to the top of Tomaree Head. The hike up is short but hard but I promise you, it's worth it.