The Mount Tomaree walk is by far one of the best things to do in Port Stephens! A short 30-minute hike to the Mount Tomaree summit, you’ll be rewarded with incredible panoramic views of Port Stephens, Nelson Bay and Tomaree National Park.
In this guide, I have included everything you need to know about Mount Tomaree, the best time to visit and what to expect on the Tomaree Mountain walk.
Also, at the bottom of this Mount Tomaree guide, I have included some useful information on where to stay in Port Stephens and other points of interest on Australia’s east coast.
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WHERE IS MOUNT TOMAREE & HOW TO GET THERE
Mount Tomaree is located in the town of Port Stephens, just 1-hour’s drive north of Newcastle and around 3-hour’s drive south of Port Macquarie.
Click here to see the exact location on Google Maps.
It’s best to have your own vehicle to visit Port Stephens and Tomaree Mountain as public transportation options are limited.
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Mount Tomaree
BEST TOURS IN PORT STEPHENS
BEST TIME TO VISIT MOUNT TOMAREE
Mount Tomaree can be visited year-round and the best time to embark on the Mount Tomaree walk is, in my opinion, at sunrise or sunset.
I personally hiked to the summit of Mount Tomaree early one morning and experienced the most incredible sunrise as it lit up the bay and cast a shadow of Tomaree Mountain on the nearby Zenith Beach.
If you’re not an early bird, no worries, you can still visit Mount Tomaree at any time during the day and enjoy all that this epic location has to offer.
Sunrise at Tomaree Mountain
MOUNT TOMAREE WALK
The trailhead to Tomaree Mountain can be found in the parking lot at the end of Shoal Bay Road and from here, the way up to Mount Tomaree summit is clearly signposted. The trail consists of concrete pathways, steel steps and treetop walkways.
Mt Tomaree walk is a 2-km return trail that takes around 30 minutes each way. It’s not the longest walk in the world but it can be challenging as it’s quite a steep pathway from the get-go. Don’t let this deter you though as the view from the Tomaree Mountain Lookout is well worth the effort.
Be sure to pack plenty of drinking water, a head torch if you plan to hike Mount Tomaree at sunrise or sunset and, of course, a camera to capture the awe-inspiring landscapes that you’ll see from the summit!
Tomaree National Park
Mount Tomaree trailhead
Treetop walkway at Mount Tomaree
Enjoying the view at Tomaree Mountain
One of the Mount Tomaree lookouts
MOUNT TOMAREE SUMMIT
At the summit of Mount Tomaree, there are a number of different lookouts, each offering spectacular views of the stunning coastal region that surrounds Port Stephens.
To the north, you can see all the way across the bay to Hawks Nest, to the west you can enjoy views of Shoal Bay and to the south, you can marvel at the untouched beaches known as Zenith Beach, Wreck Beach and Box Beach. Shark Island can also be spotted off in the distance.
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Between May and October, whales can be spotted from the top of Mount Tomaree as they cruise along the east coast of Australia during their annual migration. Hot tip: bring a pair of binoculars to better your chances of spotting these humble giants.
You could easily spend an hour enjoying the experience at the top of Tomaree Mountain before making your way back down to the parking lot.
Sunrise at the Mount Tomaree lookout
View of Shoal Bay from Tomaree Mountain
Marveling at Zenith Beach – Mount Tomaree
Mount Tomaree National Park
WHERE TO STAY IN PORT STEPHENS
There are countless accommodation options to choose from near Mount Tomaree so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers and everyone in between.
See below for a list of accommodations that I personally recommend:
LUXURY: ANCHORAGE PORT STEPHENS
MID RANGE: SEASIDE HOLIDAY RESORT
BUDGET: PORT STEPHENS MOTEL
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY NEAR MOUNT TOMAREE, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
TOMAREE MOUNTAIN MAP
MORE AUSTRALIA TRAVEL GUIDES
The coastline and hinterland areas along the east coast of Australia boast countless beaches, lakes, waterfalls, hikes and many more fun-fuelled adventures waiting to be had!
This is what Australia is all about and what I love to share with you in my detailed destination guides.
Click on the links below to see more related posts:
- Crescent Head: 9 Things To Do In Crescent Head
- Port Macquarie: 7 Best Beaches In Port Macquarie
- Forster: 7 Awesome Things To Do In Forster
- Byron Bay: Things To Do In Byron Bay
- Gold Coast: 3 Day Gold Coast Itinerary
- Springbrook: Springbrook Waterfalls
- Brisbane: Things To Do In Brisbane
- Fraser Island: Fraser Island Day Trip
- Sydney: Things To Do In Sydney
- Melbourne: Things To Do In Melbourne
LONELY PLANET – AUSTRALIA
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Australia Travel Guide!
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AIRBNB NEAR MOUNT TOMAREE
Another option for accommodation near Mount Tomaree is to stay in an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals in the Port Stephens area!
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JOIN MY FACEBOOK TRAVEL TRIBE
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WHAT TO PACK FOR PORT STEPHENS
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 years worth of content.
ONLINE ENGLISH TEACHING
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MY SHOP
Before you go from this Tomaree Mountain post, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
SEE MORE → MY SHOP
FINAL THOUGHTS OF TOMAREE MOUNTAIN
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about the Tomaree Mountain walk, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
Happy Adventuring!
