Nelson Bay

Nelson Bay is about 50km north of Newcastle and a beautiful area. Don't go in winter unless it's a long weekend as it really is a tourist town and there's nothing on at other times. There are lots of accommodation options, but don't get stuck on location. The area covered is pretty big so regardless of where you stay, you're going to need transport of some kind to get around. That said, Nelson Bay & Shoal Bay are the 2 best areas, but if you have a car to get around, it's pretty irrelevant.

The actual town of Nelson Bay doesn't have an ocean beach, so if you like some waves, Shoal, Fingal or Anna Bay are the answer. Shoal Bay is the closest area to Nelson Bay(about 5km). It has a great pub and covers both beach types – bay & ocean. Shoal Bay Country Club is the local pub and also has hotel style accommodation. There is also a caravan park right on the bay beach. For a cheap meal, there is a Fisherman's Club a few doors down from the Country Club. It only has a small entrance as it's on the second floor but they have a great balcony that overlooks the bay where you can have an affordable bistro style meal & the drinks are at absolutely rock bottom prices! New Year's Eve at Shoal Bay is crazy. The main street(all 500m of it!) is closed and the beach is packed. The Country Club bar is open but you'll never get to it, so if you're going to go, take an esky with your drinks.