After completing Sydney’s famous Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, we began our two and a half hour drive north to Port Stephens. We decided to stay in the YHA Samurai Beach Bungalows, a perfect option for us after a lovely few days in the bustling city.
While YHA is known as being Australia’s biggest hostel chain, you would never even know that the Samurai Beach Bungalows were technically part of a hostel. Quite spread out, this hostel allows for your own jungle retreat.
Our three-bed bungalow in the forest was simple, comfortable, and of hotel quality. It’s a very unique spot, that’s for sure.
With a large swimming pool and an outdoor kitchen, YHA Samurai Beach Bungalows caters to those slightly more outdoorsy or adventurous.
Enjoy listening to birds chirping and taking in the nature surrounding you. If you’re lucky, you may even see a koala!
Close by the Bungalows, you can find some absolutely beautiful beaches, with our favorites being Findal Bay and Zenith Beach.
5FT Fun Fact: In certain areas of town, you need to park at a 135 degree angle with your rear to the kerb. Yes, this is a real sign.
For me, the highlight of Port Stephens was getting to see wild kangaroos. Sandy, one of the managers at YHA Samurai Beach Bungalows suggested that we head to the nearby golf course to see tons of ‘roos. I didn’t actually think we would end up seeing any, much less fifty or so! It’s advised not to go too close to the kangaroos, as they are wild, and much bigger and stronger than they appear. As we were approaching them, a lovely golfer offered to cart us out to the kangaroos! It was amazing getting to see them so up close and personal in the wild! It was truly a highlight of my Australian journeys.
For those interested in getting to know more about kangaroos and to get a good look at them, Kangaroo Phil offers nightly kangaroo tours that I highly recommend.
The following morning, we woke up bright and early for a sunrise hike up Tomaree Head. While we saw a beautiful sunrise, we will forever remember it as the “Australian Spider Tour” as there were so many overhead!
I wouldn’t miss Port Stephens when traveling up the coast between Sydney and Brisbane. It’s an adorable town with beautiful beaches and a fabulous jungle retreat to top it off!
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