Coastal headlands and Worimi heritage at the gateway to Port Stephens
Tomaree National Park
Tomaree National Park is a coastal protected area in New South Wales, Australia, situated approximately 150 kilometers northeast of Sydney within the Port Stephens region. The park encompasses dramatic headlands, sandy beaches, and forested slopes that rise from the shores of the Tasman Sea, creating a distinctive landscape where rocky cliffs meet ocean vistas. Established in 1984, the park protects a significant stretch of the Tomaree Peninsula, extending from Fishermans Bay in the south through to Shoal Bay in the north, encompassing communities including Boat Harbour, One Mile, Nelson Bay, and Fingal Bay.
The park holds particular significance for its combination of natural coastal landscapes and cultural heritage. The traditional land of the Aboriginal Worimi people, the area provided important resources including food, medicine, and shelter for generations. Today, the park offers visitors the opportunity to experience both the natural beauty of the Port Stephens coastline and remnants of more recent human history, from a 19th-century lighthouse to World War II military installations. The relatively compact size of the park, spanning approximately 23 square kilometers, makes it accessible for day visitors while still providing meaningful protection to coastal ecosystems and significant heritage sites.
