Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park

The Marine Park extends from Cape Hawke Surf Life Saving Club near Forster south to Birubi Beach Life Saving Club at the northern end of Stockton Beach, through the offshore waters to three nautical mile limit of State waters. It includes Port Stephens, Karuah River, Myall River, Myall and Smiths Lakes and their creeks and tributaries to the tidal limit. The park covers an area of approximately 98,000 hectares. NSW Government established the park in December 2005. The park's diverse marine life includes many species of dolphins, turtles, fish, seabirds and seaweeds along with threatened species. Humpback whales travel along the marine park coastline during their annual migration north. Many significant Indigenous cultural and spiritual sites are located within or adjacent to the marine park. Visitors and residents can enjoy eco-tourism activities including fishing, boating, dolphin and whale watching as well as swimming, diving, snorkelling, kayaking and other water sports.