Port Stephens has capped off a winning 12 months for its visitor economy by being named Wotif’s 2025 Aussie Town of the Year.
The NSW coastal destination has claimed the top spot for its beaches, sand dunes, sea life, national parks and dining, with the travel app reporting a more than 75% increase in accommodation searches for Port Stephens during 2024.
The accolade for Port Stephens follows the region taking out four silver medals at the 2024 NSW Tourism Awards, with Moonshadow - TQC Cruises winning Silver in the Major Tour & Transport Operators category, 4WD Tours R Us winning Silver in the Transport Operator category and Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary winning Silver in the Tourism Attraction category.
The Poyer’s Restaurant at Lemon Tree Passage also took out Seafood Restaurant of the Year at Sydney Fish Market’s 2024 Seafood Excellence Awards.
The latest Tourism Research Australia data shows Port Stephens welcomed 800,000 domestic overnight visitors in the year ending September 2024, up 2.4% year on year. Visitor expenditure in Port Stephens surged 11.5% year on year to $700 million.
There were 27,500 international visitors to Port Stephens during the period, who spent $13.4 million.
Thousands of people will flock to the region from March 31 to May 4, for Sail Port Stephens, which is proudly supported by Destination NSW and is expected to generate more than $2 million in visitor expenditure.
Visitation to Port Stephens is set to surge following Newcastle Airport’s international terminal opening on August 1, 2025. Destination NSW signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Newcastle Airport in September 2024, which includes airline incentives for two years from when new routes commence and strategic marketing assistance.
Minister for Tourism John Graham says:
"Port Stephens is home to the world-class experiences that are key to future growth in the NSW visitor economy. From its natural beauty to its heritage, culture and fine dining, the destination encapsulates the authenticity and adventure that visitors are seeking.
"The next decade of growth in the visitor economy will be underpinned by infrastructure milestones such as the new international terminal at Newcastle Airport, which is located just minutes from Port Stephens and will put this spectacular region on the runway to even greater success.”
Nelson Bay-based Moonshadow-TQC Cruises and 17 other NSW visitor economy businesses will join a Destination NSW trade mission to the United States next month to leverage surging visitation to the region from one of the world’s biggest tourism markets.
The North America Roadshow will take place from March 9-13 and will include full-day workshops and networking events in Los Angeles and New York City with wholesalers, product managers and retail travel advisors.
The initiative will provide NSW visitor economy businesses with the opportunity to engage directly with influential travel buyers and strengthen consideration of NSW experiences and destinations on itineraries.
Kingscliff and Yamba also secured spots in Wotif’s 2025 Aussie Town of the Year top 10, putting regional NSW front of mind with travellers across Australia and around the globe.
Destination NSW Acting CEO Karen Jones says:
"With three NSW towns featured in Wotif’s 2025 Aussie Town of the Year awards – more than any other state – this recognition highlights regional NSW as the premier destination for Australian travellers.
"From Port Stephens’ beautiful beaches and marine adventures to Kingscliff’s boutique coastal charm and Yamba’s laidback surf culture, our state offers an unrivalled mix of experiences that continue to captivate visitors year after year.”
New research from Wotif also reveals that 78% of Australians plan to travel domestically this year, a 9% increase from last year.
