Port Stephens best kept secret – Tilligerry Peninsular

Come and explore Port Stephens best kept secret – Tilligerry Peninsular with me. I’ll show you what to do, where to eat and where to stay.

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The Tilligerry Peninsular includes the quiet communities of Lemon Tree Passage, Mallabula, Tanilba Bay and Salt Ash is seriously Port Stephens best kept secret. Whilst Nelson Bay gets packed out in summer and school holidays, Tilligerry Peninsular stays peaceful and quiet with all the benefits.

Enjoy swimming or fishing in the tranquil waters of Port Stephens, a family BBQ in the many kid friendly parks, spot a koala at the Tilligerry Habitat or follow the heritage trail to one of Australia’s oldest homes, Tanilba House.

It’s perfect for young families, extended families and romantic getaways. I’ve been living in Tilli for over 12 years, grown a family and several businesses in the area. It is a tight knit community, everyone knows everyone or knows of everyone. This is my home town. Come and explore Port Stephens best kept secret with me.

How to get to Tilligerry Peninsular, Port Stephens

Port Stephens best kept secret -Tilligerry Peninsular is located 2 ½ hour drive north of Sydney or 1 hour drive from Newcastle and a short 20 minutes from Newcastle Airport. Newcastle Airport has direct flights from Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Gold Coast and Melbourne and Perth.

Driving

When driving, follow the signs to Nelson Bay then turn down the notorious Lemon Tree Passage Road after the BP on Nelson Bay Road. Legend has it that the road is haunted by the Lemon Tree Passage ghost, a motor cyclist who was killed on the road in the 1980s. Supposedly, if you travel too fast at night along the road, a single white light (similar to a motorcycle light) will follow the vehicle, encouraging the occupants to slow down. Ranking in the top 6 spookiest roads in Australia, the notorious Lemon Tree Passage ghost inspired a movie but much to the local’s dismay, it was not filmed here.

Public Transport

Public transport is limited but it is possible to catch a train to Hamilton Station in Newcastle. From there, jump on the 130 bus (Fingal Bay) to Salt Ash and then change to the 137 to Lemon Tree Passage. Trip Planner | transportnsw.info for timetable information.

Returning Home

When it is time to leave Port Stephens best kept secret and if are you returning to Sydney, the traffic heading south on the M1 is horrible from Gosford southbound. So, there are two options to avoid the traffic,

Option 1 – stay and have dinner, then after dinner head home. If you leave by 7.30pm, you will be home by 10pm and miss all the traffic or

Option 2 – extend your stay, relax and have a long weekend and head home on Monday.

Where to charge my EV

There are currently 2 locations for charging your EV.

• Lemon Tree Passage Bowling Club (2 spots) and
• Lemon Tree Passage Marina (2 spots located out the back of Anglerz Corner).

Where to Stay on Tilligerry Peninsular

Koala Shores Holiday Park

Koala Shores Holiday Park is located on the shores of Tilligerry Creek and is surrounded by bushland with lots of shade and local wildlife and is dog friendly. It provides powered sites, ensuite sites and cabins. It rarely gets packed out and has heaps of things for the kids to do including a swimming pool, basketball/tennis court, bouncing cushion and playground. Not to mention the awesome jetty for fishing.

Pro tip – the roads to the park are pitch black at night, so plan to catch the courtesy bus home from the club rather than walk.

Lemon Tree Passage Motel

Lemon Tree Passage Motel is a family owned and operated motel for over 30 years who provide 5 star quality service without the 5 star price tag. The motel is located with 5 minutes of Lemon Tree Passage Marina, shops and restaurants. With only 11 rooms, it is often full so make sure you book.  

Peace in Paradise

• Tilligerry RSL Sports Club– great little bistro with value for money meals. Courtesy bus available. (02) 4982 3889
• Club Lemon Tree – the larger of the peninsular’s two clubs has a good restaurant. Courtesy bus available. (02) 4982 4800
• The Poyers – seafood restaurant over looking the marina at Lemon Tree Passage. This is the place to go for a special event or to romance your better half. The location is awesome and the food is fabulous.
• Tilli Thai – tasty Thai take away. Delivery available.
• Jade Court Chinese restaurant. Dine in, take away or delivery.
• Dominoes – the ONLY delivery option on the peninsular on a Monday night!
• Heather’s Place – café open for breakfast and lunch. Huge favourite with locals.
• John Dorys – located adjacent to Henderson Park, Lemon Tree Passage

Pro tip – Uber Eats, Door Dash, Menulog etc do NOT deliver to the Tilligerry Peninsular.

Things to do on the Tilligerry Peninsular

Coffee from the Coffee Buzz truck

The Coffee Buzz truck is a weekend institution with locals. It is located at Peace Park, Tanilba Bay 6.30am – 9am then Caswell Reserve, Mallabula from 10am Saturday and Sunday. Alternatively, Heather’s Place is located opposite Henderson Park at Lemon Tree Passage. Enjoy your coffee whilst the kids play on the park.

Spot a Koala at the Tilligerry Habitat

Dedicated and knowledgable volunteers run the Tilligerry Habitat is located on the beautiful foreshore of Tanilba Bay. It is free and fully wheel chair accessible. Your furry friends are also welcome on a lead. At low tide, dogs are permitted to run off leash on the sand flats.

The 2km loop along the boardwalk and gravel paths meanders through scenic paperbark and swampy oak forest, scrub, wetland and coastal environments will take approximately 30 mins. But, if you sit quietly and enjoy the view, listen to the birds and the breeze rustling the leaves you will see so much more.

109 different species of birds have been sighted in the Habitat. Download the Bird spotters sheet. How many different birds can you find?

The boardwalk skims the waters edge so there are lots of places to swim in the shallow water.

Pro tip – avoid arriving between 2.30pm to 3.30pm as it is school pick up time and absolutely no parking.

Mangrove Boardwalk

Another great walk is the Mangrove Boardwalk. Start at Koala Reserve at the end of Cook Parade, Lemon Tree Passage (marina end), it follows the shores of Tilligerry Creek to Koala Shores Holiday Park. It is relatively flat for the majority of the way. There is only one small steep section of steps (you will need to carry bikes and prams here). It is popular with locals and koalas.

Visit the Distillery.

Tucked away at the Lemon Tree Passage Marina behind John Dory’s on the water side is the Lemon Tree Passage Distillery. When visiting this gin distillery, make sure you have a Plan B. The gin cocktails are amazing and are available in take away cups so you can enjoy your drink in the park.

Spot a dolphin on the Wangi Queen

The Wangi Queen Showboat is a beautiful heritage listed timber boat launched in 1922. Join the Wangi Queen at Lemon Tree Passage marina for a 2 ½ hour lunch or sunset cruise of the western harbour of Port Stephens. Port Stephens is twice the size of Sydney Harbour and you’ll have it almost to yourself except for over 140 bottlenose dolphins who call the Port home. 

Discover the local history of Tanilba Bay

Tanilba Bay is full of history including one of Australia’s oldest homesteads – Tanilba House. The 7km heritage trail starts at the Water Gate and can be explored on foot or by car, bike or scooter. The trail has 32 interactive sites with information boards on street signs and links to informative YouTube videos. The street names have a World War I influence with street names of Diggers Drive, Army Avenue and Navy Nook etc.

Go Swimming

Go swimming at the netted swim pool at Henderson Park, Lemon Tree Passage. There is a sandy beach with a pontoon around the deep water and the kids will have a blast jumping into the water.

Another great swimming spot is at Caswell Park, Mallabula. There is a huge sand flat that gets exposed at low tide and the water gets about a metre deep at high tide. This is a dog friendly swimming area.

Have a picnic

There are so many great places to have a picnic on the water. There are BBQs, picnic tables and children’s play areas located at

• Henderson Park, Lemon Tree Passage,
• Caswell Park, Mallabula
• Peace Park, Tanilba Bay (small play area suitable for small children)
• Tanilba Park, Tanilba Bay (this park has a flying fox)

Have a sunset picnic at Sunset Park in Tanilba Bay. Enjoy the 180 degree views looking over western Port Stephens towards Oyster bay, Karuah and Snapper Island as the sun drops across the water. The park is a great fishing spot for flathead. Just make sure you take the Bushman’s!

Dine at the Poyer’s

Enjoy a decadent dinner at the Poyer’s restaurant. The Poyer’s has the prime spot at Lemon Tree Passage sitting over the water. Awarded Best Seafood Restaurant in NSW 2024 by Sydney Fish Market, winning chef and owner, Ludovic Poyer will make your mouth water with his gorgeous seafood and decadent desserts.

Play Golf

A round of golf at the Tanilba Bay Golf Course. Try twilight golf from 2pm -7 days a week for $20. Cart hire is available but not essential. $30 for 9 holes or $42 for 18 holes. Now, if you are anything like me, you will need one of those water scoops and some extra balls as the course is traversed by many creeks and I seem to go swimming in every one of them!

Bare Foot Bowling

Bare Foot Bowling at Lemon Tree Passage Bowling Club. Its free to play and bowls are provided. Just need to book on (02) 4982 4800. After working up an appetite, why not have a meal at Zest, the club’s bistro that all the locals are talking about.

Go Fishing in Port Stephens

Head to Anglerz Corner at Lemon Tree Passage Marina for all you tackle and fishing gear. There are so many places where you can throw a line and catch flathead, whiting and bream. Make sure you have your fishing licence (kids under 18 do not need a fishing licence) Recreational fishing licence | Service NSW and Get the FishSmart app | Service NSW. It shows you where you are and where the marine parks are, and the legal size and number of each species for sustainable fishing.

Boating in Port Stephens

If you have a boat, you can either explore Port Stephens which is twice the size of Sydney Harbour with much less traffic or you can head outside Port Stephens Heads.

Now, I may be a bit biased, but I’m sure that Lemon Tree Passage boat ramp is the best boat ramp in Port Stephens. There are 3 boat ramps and heaps of parking that very rarely gets full and no waiting times to get in or out of the water! It’s only 15mins from Port Stephens Headland.

Once you are outside the heads, get your bait from the inside of Cabbage Tree Island at the bait grounds and have a wonderful day fishing. See if you can find the seal colony on the north side of Cabbage Tree Island. Between May and November, look out for humpback whales. Don’t forget to tell someone where you are going and when you think you will be back and radio into Coastal Patrol to let them know too.

Visit TAG

The Tilligerry Art Group (TAG) is located in the old rural fire station – the yellow building on the right hand side as you drive into Lemon Tree Passage. The gallery has an eclectic mix of artworks by local artists. It is a great place to pick up a souvenir or gift for someone special.

Slot Car Racing

Try slot car racing at Show Us Ya Slotz. Challenge your friends and family to slot car racing. For only $6 per person for 30 minutes, you can race on 4 epic tracks. This one is a little tricky to find, its located at 12 Industrial Crescent, Lemon Tree Passage on the right hand side down the driveway between the red brick building and the green building. Generally, they are open Thursday to Sunday 11am – 4pm. Check with them first as they are sometimes closed for competition meetings.

Oakvale Wildlife Park

Oakvale Wildlife Park is an Australian owned and operated since 1979 by the Sansom family. The park has a menagerie of native, domestic and exotic animals including koalas, kangaroos, Tasmania devils, goats, sheep, rabbits, alligators, ostriches and many many more. You will need at least 2 hours to explore the park but many families make a day of it.

If you are after more adrenaline filled adventures, its only ½ hour drive to Irukandji, Birubi Beach for Camel Rides and Sand Boarding or Stockton Beach for Quad King – quad biking tours.

Things to do when it rains

Whilst we would all love our holidays to be blessed with perfect weather, that is not always the case. But never fear, I’ve got you covered with 10 Excellent things to do in Port Stephens with kids when it rains.

So there you have it, the ultimate guide to Port Stephens best kept secret – Tilligerry Peninsular. If you found this useful, please share and like on Facebook.

If you loved Tilligerry Peninsular, then I recommend Tea Gardens, Lake Macquarie and Caves Beach.