Famously stunning, yet far too easy to rush past, a stone’s throw from Newcastle lies a majestic gathering of dunes, coves and islands primed for on-foot exploration.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve been racing past the Port Stephens turnoff for years, as if it led only to some rusted picnic table and sculpture of the Big Sausage Roll instead of one of the most dazzling coastlines in New South Wales.

