Things to Do in Anna Bay & One Mile: A Local’s Guide
Anna Bay and One Mile are often treated as somewhere to visit on the way to the Stockton Sand Dunes, but there is far more to this part of Port Stephens than sandboarding and camel rides.
I live locally and visit Anna Bay and One Mile regularly, so this is an area I know well. I’ve explored the beaches, walked the coastal tracks, watched for whales from Boat Harbour and experienced many of the activities here myself. I’ve also had plenty of opportunities to discover the quieter corners and the practical details that aren’t always obvious when you’re visiting for the first time.
From choosing the right beach for swimming or surfing to finding somewhere to take the kids, travelling with your dog, watching the sunset over the dunes or deciding which adventure is worth your time, this guide covers the best things to do in Anna Bay and One Mile from a local perspective.
Whether you’re visiting for the day or staying for a few nights, here’s how to make the most of this beautiful corner of Port Stephens.
Planning a Port Stephens trip? You might also like my Ultimate Guide to Port Stephens and Best Beaches in Port Stephens.
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Where are Anna Bay and One Mile?
Anna Bay is at the southern end of Port Stephens, about 15–20 minutes from Nelson Bay and roughly 20 minutes from Newcastle Airport. Follow my guide How to get to Port Stephens from Sydney for more details.
It is also the northern gateway to the enormous Stockton Bight Sand Dunes and the Worimi Conservation Lands, which stretch south towards Newcastle.
One Mile is a smaller coastal community immediately north of Nelson Bay and next to Tomaree National Park. It is best known for One Mile Beach, the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary and its proximity to the dunes.
Although they are separate places, I’ve grouped them together in this guide because many of the attractions are only a few minutes apart.
Anna Bay or One Mile?
If you’re choosing where to stay, Anna Bay is particularly convenient for the dunes, Birubi Beach and the village’s cafes and shops.
One Mile puts you closer to One Mile Beach, Tomaree National Park and the Koala Sanctuary.
Either makes a good base for exploring this end of Port Stephens.
Things to do in Anna Bay and One Mile
1. Visit the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
The Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary is one of my favourite places to take visitors who want to see Australian wildlife without simply looking at animals in cages.
The sanctuary has a working koala hospital, the Sanctuary Story Walk and an elevated 225m Skywalk through the eucalyptus trees, where you can see koalas recovering in a natural bush setting.
Allow at least a couple of hours, particularly if you’re travelling with children.
Good for: families, wildlife lovers and rainy-day plans.
Ready to meet the koalas and help with conservation efforts to save the koalas? Book your tickets now.
Did you know you can sleep with the koalas? The Koala Sanctuary has exquisite glamping tents located in the tranquil bushland of the Koala Sanctuary, providing an immersive experience in the trees with the koalas. You might even hear them during the night!
Check availability and prices for your Koala Sanctuary glamping experience.
2. Learn to surf at One Mile Beach
One Mile Beach is one of the area’s best beaches for learning to surf.
The beach is exposed to the ocean, so it can have plenty of waves, but that’s exactly what makes it useful for surf lessons. Local surf schools run beginner lessons and provide the equipment, so you don’t need to arrive with a board strapped to the roof.
One Mile is also one of Port Stephens’ professionally patrolled beaches and is patrolled year-round.
If you’re simply swimming, stick to the area between the red and yellow flags and follow the lifeguards’ instructions.
One Mile Beach can get busy during summer holidays and parking becomes difficult later in the day. Arrive early or simply walk from Ingenia One Mile Holiday Park.
Good for: surfing, swimming, families and beginners.
Check availability for your surfing lesson with Port Stephens Surf School.
3. Go whale watching from Boat Harbour
You don’t necessarily need to join a whale-watching cruise to see humpback whales around Port Stephens.
Boat Harbour has a fantastic elevated coastal position where you can watch the ocean during the migration season. Humpbacks travel along this stretch of the NSW coast from roughly May to November, and the rocky coastline around Anna Bay provides several good land-based vantage points.
Bring binoculars if you have them and allow yourself time to watch rather than simply stopping for five minutes.
Local tip: Whale watching from land is wonderfully unpredictable. Sometimes you’ll see nothing for half an hour and then suddenly have several whales travelling past.
Read my guide on Whale Watching in Port Stephens for more information.
4. Walk part of the Tomaree Coastal Walk
The Tomaree Coastal Walk follows the spectacular coastline between Tomaree Head and Birubi Point.
The full walk is a 27km multi-day adventure, but you don’t need to tackle the entire route. Shorter sections make excellent half-day walks.
The section between Birubi Point and One Mile is particularly accessible for visitors staying in this area, although it is still a proper coastal walk rather than a flat beach stroll.
Good for: walkers, photographers and anyone who wants to see a wilder side of Port Stephens.
For maps and more information, visit Tomaree National Park Coastal Walk
5. Explore the Iris Moore rock pools
At low tide, the Iris Moore rock pools near Birubi are a lovely little coastal discovery.
The pools sit among the rocks beside the beach and are particularly interesting when the tide has left marine life exposed in the shallow pools.
Take care on the rocks, check the tide and never assume a rock pool is safe simply because the water looks calm. Ocean conditions can change quickly.
Local tip: This is one of those places I’d visit because you’re already exploring Birubi rather than making a special trip across Port Stephens just to see the pools.
6. Find Champagne Pool
Champagne Pool is another of Anna Bay’s natural coastal features.
Like the Iris Moore pools, conditions make a huge difference. The experience changes with the tide, swell and weather, so treat it as a natural rock-pool environment rather than a guaranteed swimming hole. The Champagne Pool is very deep, so make sure you know how you are getting out, before you get in!
Access to the Champagne Pool is via a steep rocky “track” to the rock platform below the Boat Harbour Whale Watching Lookout. Wear appropriate footwear and be cautious around wet rocks.
7. Go fishing
Anna Bay has plenty of options for people who would rather catch their dinner than buy it.
Beach fishing is popular along the long stretches of coastline, while the rocky headlands provide opportunities for experienced rock fishers.
Rock fishing deserves particular caution. Wear appropriate footwear, check the swell and never turn your back on the ocean.
8. Ride a camel along Birubi Beach
Yes, you really can ride a camel on the beach at Anna Bay.
Oakfield Ranch runs camel rides from Birubi Beach, with shorter daytime rides as well as longer sunset experiences at selected times. Sunset rides often book out. Check availability with Oakfield Ranch Camel Rides.
It’s one of those quintessential Anna Bay experiences that sounds slightly ridiculous until you are actually sitting on a camel looking across the beach and dunes.
Good for: families, first-time visitors and anyone looking for a very different beach experience.
9. Go horse riding on the beach
Horse riding is another way to experience the enormous beach and dune landscape around Anna Bay.
Depending on the operator and experience, rides can take you along the beach or through the dunes. Check with Sahara Trails experience required and availability.
If horse riding isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other ways to explore the same landscape.
Explore every way to experience the dunes with my Stockton Sand Dunes Guide.
10. Go sandboarding
The Stockton Sand Dunes are the obvious place to try sandboarding.
You can climb the dunes yourself or book an organised unlimited sandboarding experience where equipment and transport are provided. even if you aren’t sandboarding, they will take you into the dunes so you can feel like you are in the Sahara Desert.
Sandboarding is best attempted in the morning, when the temperature is cooler and the winds haven’t picked up. And whatever you do, don’t attempt sandboarding in a westerly wind unless you want to be sandblasted.
Local Tip: You will get sand everywhere! Even in places sand does not belong. Rinse off with a swim afterwards or showers are available at the Birubi Surf Club.
Yes, I want to make the kids exhausted! Book your unlimited sandboarding adventure now.
11. Explore the dunes by quad bike
Quad biking is another popular way to experience the Worimi Conservation Lands.
Some tours combine riding with information about the Worimi people and the cultural significance of the landscape. This activity is strictly 16+.
If you’re comparing the different dune activities, my dedicated [Stockton Sand Dunes Guide] is the place to start.
12. Take a 4WD onto the beach
If you have a suitable 4WD and the correct beach vehicle permit, you can drive onto the Worimi Conservation Lands from Birubi.
This isn’t the place to treat beach driving casually. Conditions change, vehicles can become bogged and the dunes are a culturally significant landscape.
Check out my Stockton Sand Dunes Guide for permit requirements and where to get them, access points, where to pump up your tyres afterwards and wash your vehicle and more.
Self-driving is strictly on the beach, in front of the dunes. If you would like to drive in the actual dunes, you can only do this on a Tag-Along Tour.
If you don’t have a 4WD, organised 4WD tours are an easier way to experience the dunes. Join a 4WD tour of the beach and dunes including search for Pipis.
13. Get hands-on at Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters
Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters is one of the more unusual things to do around Anna Bay.
Rather than simply looking through an aquarium window, visitors can get into shallow water and interact with rays and other marine life. There are also deeper-water experiences for visitors who want to snorkel.
It’s particularly good for families and anyone who enjoys wildlife experiences with an educational and conservation focus.
Good for: families, wildlife lovers and wet-weather activities.
There are lots of cool adventures to have at Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters. Check out the options and availability before they book out.
14. Play a round at David Graham’s Golf Complex
Not every activity around Anna Bay needs to involve sand.
David Graham’s Golf Complex has a driving range, mini-golf, a 9-hole 3-par golf course with frisbee golf and soccer golf options and a batting cage making it an easy option when you want something different from the beach.
It’s particularly handy for families with children or teenagers who have had enough of sightseeing for the day. The golf driving range and mini-golf also provide a good wet weather option.
15. Watch the sunset over the Stockton dunes
One of my favourite simple things to do around Anna Bay is head to Birubi Headland in the late afternoon and watch the sun drop over the Stockton Sand Dunes.
You don’t need to book anything, hire equipment or spend money. Just find a good vantage point and watch the enormous dune landscape change colour as the sun goes down.
It is also a great reminder that you don’t have to participate in one of the big-ticket dune activities to appreciate this extraordinary landscape.
Local tip: This is especially easy to combine with dinner in Anna Bay afterwards.
The best beaches around Anna Bay and One Mile
One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is treating all the beaches around Anna Bay as interchangeable.
They’re not.
Boat Harbour Beach — best for a quieter family beach day
Boat Harbour is one of my local picks when you want a quieter beach day.
It is generally much calmer than the area’s surf beaches and is rarely affected by large surf. There are picnic areas, toilets and a playground, making it particularly practical for families.
Important: Boat Harbour Beach is not patrolled.
Boat Harbour is also worth knowing about if you’re travelling with a dog. There is an off-leash dog exercise area, and dogs have designated access to the beach (according to signage but not noted on the website) under Council’s current rules. Check the signs and current Council information when you arrive, as seasonal restrictions apply.
Best for: families, quieter beach days, dogs and exploring the rocky shoreline.
One Mile Beach — best for surfing and patrolled swimming
One Mile is the beach to choose if you want waves, surfing or a professionally patrolled swimming beach.
The reserve has parking, picnic areas, toilets, showers and a kiosk, and the beach is just a short walk across the dunes.
Best for: surfing, swimming, surf lessons and families who want beach facilities.
Birubi Beach — best for dunes, sunsets and dogs
Birubi is where the enormous Stockton Sand Dunes meet the ocean.
It is the starting point for many dune experiences and the beach is also a spectacular place to watch the sunset.
Birubi is one of Port Stephens’ patrolled beaches, although patrol dates and hours vary seasonally.
It is also one of the area’s better options if you’re travelling with a dog. There is a designated dog exercise area, with current seasonal dog-access rules applying to the beach.
Best for: dunes, sunsets, beach walks and travelling with dogs.
Samurai Beach — for something wilder
Samurai has a very different feel from the more developed beaches. It’s clothes optional and is not accessible by 2WD and has no facilities.
It’s backed by natural bushland and is popular with people looking for a more rugged beach experience. Access and conditions can be more challenging than at the main patrolled beaches, so check conditions before heading out.
Which Anna Bay beach should you choose?
| Beach | Best for | Patrolled? | Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat Harbour | Calm, quieter family beach | No | Dog-friendly areas/seasonal rules |
| One Mile | Swimming and surfing | Yes, year-round | No dogs |
| Birubi | Dunes, sunsets, beach walks | Seasonal | Dog exercise area/seasonal rules |
| Samurai | Wild beach experience | No | No dogs |
For a more detailed breakdown, including the best beaches for swimming, surfing, families and scenery, see my Best Beaches in Port Stephens guide.
And before swimming anywhere along this coastline, make sure you know How to Identify a Rip.
Travelling to Anna Bay with a dog
Anna Bay is one of the more useful parts of Port Stephens to know about if you’re travelling with a dog.
Birubi Beach and Boat Harbour both have recognised dog-friendly areas, including off-leash exercise spaces. Council currently lists both among its popular off-lead dog areas.
However, don’t assume that because one section of beach allows dogs, every nearby beach does too.
Local tip: Always check the signs when you arrive. Council rules and seasonal access conditions can change, and dogs are prohibited from national parks, conservation areas and designated wildlife protection zones.
Where to eat in Anna Bay
Anna Bay doesn’t have the enormous choice of restaurants you’ll find in Nelson Bay, but there are some good local options.
Crest Birubi Beach
Head here for breakfast or lunch with one of the area’s best views. It’s an easy choice after exploring Birubi Beach or the dunes.
Rubi Blue Cafe Anna Bay
A handy local cafe for breakfast, coffee and lunch.
Pasta Di Porto
A good option when you’re looking for something a little different from the usual beach-town fare.
Anna Bay Tavern
The classic option for an easy family pub meal. Birubi Bistro operates from the same address, making this useful when you want a straightforward dinner rather than a special occasion.
Anna Bay Thai Restaurant
A local dinner option when you want something other than pub food or takeaway.
Pizza night
For an easy family dinner, Romanza Pizzeria is another option.
Local tip: Anna Bay is quieter than Nelson Bay after dark, and restaurant opening days can vary outside peak periods. If dinner matters to you, check opening hours rather than assuming somewhere will be open.
Where to stay in Anna Bay and One Mile
Staying here makes sense if your plans revolve around the dunes, beaches, wildlife and outdoor activities.
A few options worth considering include:
Holiday parks
Ingenia Holidays One Mile Beach and Ingenia Holidays Middle Rock are useful choices for families who want cabins, camping or resort-style holiday-park facilities.
Wildlife stay
The Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary offers a particularly memorable option if wildlife is one of the reasons you’re visiting.
Nature retreats
There are several smaller accommodation options around One Mile and Boat Harbour that suit couples and visitors looking for a more secluded, bushland setting.
Adventure-focused accommodation
The Retreat Port Stephens is close to the dunes and is worth considering if your trip is centred around outdoor activities.
Looking for somewhere to stay? Use the map below to compare accommodation around Anna Bay, One Mile and Boat Harbour. Staying close to the beach can make a big difference if you’re planning several early starts for activities.
How long do you need in Anna Bay?
One day
You can see a surprising amount in a day.
For example:
Morning: Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
Lunch: Anna Bay
Afternoon: One Mile Beach or Irukandji
Late afternoon: Birubi Headland and the dunes
Evening: Dinner in Anna Bay
If the dunes are your priority, swap one of the daytime activities for sandboarding, camel riding or a 4WD experience.
Two days
Two days gives you enough time to enjoy the beaches without constantly checking the clock.
Day 1: Koala Sanctuary → One Mile Beach → Irukandji → dinner
Day 2: dunes activity → Boat Harbour → coastal walk or rock pools → Birubi sunset
Three days
With three days, slow down.
Add fishing, surfing, horse riding, a longer section of the Tomaree Coastal Walk or simply spend more time exploring the beaches.
This is the point where staying in Anna Bay or One Mile becomes particularly worthwhile.
Getting around Anna Bay and One Mile
A car is by far the easiest way to explore this area.
The attractions are spread out, and some beaches and natural areas are much easier to reach by car. Note that parking at Birubi Beach is all pay to park.
Public buses connect Anna Bay and One Mile with the wider Port Stephens area, but relying on public transport limits how easily you can combine multiple activities in one day.
If you’re flying into Newcastle Airport, hiring a car gives you considerably more flexibility.
When is the best time to visit Anna Bay?
Anna Bay works throughout the year, but what you want to do will determine the best time for your visit.
Summer: Great for beach days, surfing and water activities, but the popular beaches and car parks can be busy.
Autumn: Often a lovely balance of warm days and fewer crowds. Whale watching also begins to become relevant.
Winter: Cooler, but excellent for walking, exploring the dunes and whale watching. It’s also outside the busiest summer beach period and accommodation is more affordable.
Spring: A great time for outdoor activities, with warming weather and whale watching continuing into the season.
If you’re planning around swimming, surfing or a particular tour, always check the current conditions rather than relying solely on the calendar.
Local tips for visiting Anna Bay
- Don’t try to do everything. The dunes alone can take up half a day.
- Take water. Some of the exposed coastal walks and dune areas have very little shade.
- Don’t underestimate the sun on the dunes. There is very little protection once you’re out on the sand.
- Don’t underestimate the wind on the dunes. The sand can whip up particularly in southerly and westerly winds. It feels like you are getting sand blasted.
- Check tides before visiting the rock pools.
- Rock fishing requires serious caution. Never assume calm-looking conditions are safe.
- Use the flags at patrolled beaches. Birubi is seasonally patrolled and One Mile is patrolled year-round.
- Travelling with a dog? Check the current signs and seasonal restrictions before letting your dog off leash.
- Book popular activities ahead during school holidays, particularly camel rides and dune experiences.
- Don’t forget sunset. Birubi Headland is one of the easiest places around Anna Bay to enjoy it.
- Leave time for doing nothing. Some of the best parts of Anna Bay are simply walking along the beach or sitting somewhere and watching the ocean.
Is it safe to swim at beaches around Anna Bay?
It’s worth knowing about sharks, but I wouldn’t let that put you off visiting Anna Bay.
Sharks occur naturally along the NSW coast, including white sharks, and SharkSmart provides information about tagged shark detections and other shark-management activity.
Birubi Beach has a shark listening station that detects tagged target sharks when they come within the station’s detection range. Importantly, a detection tells you about a tagged shark, not every shark that may be in the water.
Port Stephens does not have the shark-net program used at 51 beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong. Instead, shark-management measures in the region include tagged-shark listening stations, surveillance and SharkSmart alerts.
The sensible approach is not to become frightened of the ocean, but to stay informed.
Check the SharkSmart app before swimming, pay attention to beach signage and lifeguard instructions, and at patrolled beaches swim between the red and yellow flags.
No beach can be guaranteed to be completely risk-free.
Can you swim at Anna Bay?
Technically, there isn’t a beach called Anna Bay.
Anna Bay is the name of the village and surrounding area, so when people ask whether you can swim at Anna Bay, they’re usually talking about one of the beaches nearby.
For swimming, One Mile Beach and Birubi Beach are the main patrolled options. Boat Harbour can be much calmer and is popular with families, but it is not patrolled.
Is Anna Bay worth visiting?
Absolutely — particularly if you enjoy beaches, wildlife and outdoor adventures.
The dunes are the obvious attraction, but they are only part of the reason I think Anna Bay deserves more than a quick stop.
You can see koalas, surf at One Mile, look for whales from Boat Harbour, explore rock pools, fish, walk the Tomaree coastline, meet sharks and rays, ride a camel, explore the dunes and finish the day watching the sunset from Birubi Headland.
And because I live nearby and regularly spend time in this part of Port Stephens, I think Anna Bay is particularly rewarding when you slow down and explore beyond the obvious attractions.
What is there to do in Anna Bay?
The biggest attractions include:
- Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
- One Mile Beach
- Birubi Beach
- Boat Harbour
- Stockton Sand Dunes
- Camel riding
- Horse riding
- Sandboarding
- Quad biking
- 4WD tours
- Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters
- Tomaree Coastal Walk
- Whale watching from the coast
- Fishing
- Rock pools
- David Graham’s Golf Complex
- Sunset at Birubi Headland
But you don’t have to spend a fortune on activities to enjoy Anna Bay. Some of my favourite experiences are simply exploring the beaches, walking the coastline and watching the light change across the dunes at the end of the day.
Make Anna Bay more than a stop at the dunes
The Stockton Sand Dunes might be what first brings many people to Anna Bay, but they’re only the beginning.
Spend a little longer and you’ll find a part of Port Stephens where beaches, wildlife, adventure and enormous stretches of natural coastline all come together.
And that’s why, despite living so close, I still find myself coming back to Anna Bay and One Mile regularly.
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