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Gan Gan Lookout Port Stephens

View towards the Stockton Sand Dunes Gan Gan Lookout

Gan Gan Lookout Port Stephens

Located on the Tomaree Peninsula, Gan Gan Lookout gives amazing views over Nelson Bay, Tomaree National Park and the Stockton Sand Dunes. There are also great views over the Katich River and out to both Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands.

Getting there is only a five- minute drive from Nelson Bay where a narrow track takes you to the lookout. At the top of the track, is a small car park. To the right of the car park, a small viewing platform gives views towards Stockton Sand Dunes. The dunes are visible in the distance surrounded by Australian coastal forest.

To the left of the car park, a track leads to the main viewing area with excellent views over the surrounding area. Binoculars mounted at both platforms (which need to be paid for to use), let you get a better view of distant objects.

Because of its elevation, several large communication towers are also here. Although not most people’s idea of an attraction, there are still interesting because of the numerous transmitters and receivers covering them.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

A Koala

Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

One of the prime attractions in Port Stephens is the Koala Sanctuary. Not only does it allow you to see koalas, but it rehabilitates injured ones, while providing a place to live for those that cannot be returned to the wild.

Accommodation

An excellent accommodation option for the Port Stephens region are the cabins available at the sanctuary. This allows visitors to see the koalas in the evenings and mornings when they are more active.

Accommodation at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
Accommodation

Koala Sculptures

After paying for your entry, a path leads through a number of large koala sculptures. As you walk along the path, most sculptures also have an information board helping you understand the koalas, their habitat and the threats to their survival.

This is a great educational opportunity and is especially good for children.

Koala Hospital

Before reaching the viewing area, you pass the hospital where injured koalas are treated. A window allows you to see into the treatment room and we were lucky enough to see one there, along with the vet and his assistants.

Koalas

Only koalas that are unable to be rehabilitated back to the wild are on display. Koalas that have undergone surgery and are being rehabilitated are housed in separate enclosures. Each kolas has its own information board detailing how it came to the sanctuary and what injuries it was suffering.

Because we arrived in the middle of the day they were not very active, but were able to see most of them. stationed here were two volunteers who gave talks on the koalas and the work of the sanctuary.

A Kookaburra
A Kookaburra

What Did We Think?

This was a great visit and would recommend it to anyone wanting to see or learn about koalas. It’s similar to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital although larger and offering onsite accommodation.

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Chalk the Walk Newcastle 2023

Giant spider on Hunter Street. 3D chalk drawing Chalk the Walk Newcastle 2023

Chalk the Walk Newcastle 2023

The annual chalk drawing festival Chalk the Walk Newcastle 2023 ran from late September to early October 2023. This year’s theme, All Creatures Great and Small was reflected in the drawings, which ranged from whales to spiders.

As a bonus, Jenny McCracken’s whales located outside Harry’s Cafe de Wheels on Market Street lawn will be a permanent 3D pavement mural. Although the other murals had some protection added to protect them from the rain, this was only temporary and they have now been removed.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.