One of the best summer getaways in Port Stephens is One Mile Beach. It is a year-round local favorite, and when the warmer months approach, it attracts a number of tourists every day and best of all, it’s just a quick 10-minute drive from Nelson Bay.

It’s a famous tourist destination with families, with the shallow tide because it offers shallow play areas and safe swimming spots.

One Mile Beach with Stockton Beach in the background

One Mile Beach (also known to local surfers as Anna Bay) is 1.3 km long and curves round to face the east towards the southern end.

It also has dunes reaching 400 metres inland at its northern end. At the southern end the dunes narrow and are backed by a caravan park, a shaded parking and picnic area and a kiosk.

Swimming is best at the southern end of One Mile, which is patrolled by lifeguards during summer. Further up the beach at the northern end (and at Samurai Beach) be very careful of the persistent rips.

A caravan park lies just behind the beach, where tourists can get boogie boards and stroll to the beach through the sand dunes.

The coastline has a very serene environment because all that can be seen behind it is a graceful curve of sand dunes with really no buildings in view. On your Port Stephens summer break, it’s definitely a beach where you can blow off steam.

southern end of One Mile Beach

Where to eat and drink?

If you arrive early enough, you might need to drop at the Cass Kiosk for a quick lunch before heading to the beach.

Cass Kiosk is a takeaway food outlet located near the car park at One Mile Beach. Here you can get takeaway burgers and take them to the beach to eat in between surfing/swimming. The food is very good – possibly the best chips in Port Stephens? It is owned and run by the popular Ingenia Holidays One Mile Beach tourist park, which is located next door.

Things to do at One Mile Beach

Swimming, sunbathing and surfing! The One Mile Beach Surf Club is short from the parking area over a broad bush track. The clubhouse stands boldly over the beach. Many professional lifeguards keep a close eye on the swimmers below, including the Australian Lifeguard Service and Surf Life Saving Club.

One Mile Beach - family surfing

However, note that the surf club does not have restrooms or refreshments, so you’ll have to walk back down the path to the parking area for both.

As the name implies, the beach is vast, if you ever want to walk down the beach before or after your swim. Just be informed that Samurai Beach (just north of One Mile) is a nudist beach known for camping, 4WDing, and fishing on the far headland.

The swimming flags are right in front of the surf club, with giant banners advising everyone to swim between the flags.

The lifeguards may occasionally announce that whales have visited the coast and can be seen from a respectable distance. Two humpback whales are usually seen emerging off the point.

The Port Stephens region has 26 magnificent beaches to enjoy, but it’s also only a short distance out of the bay to appreciate the beauty of the waves along the coast. If you ever want to learn how to surf while exploring One Mile Beach, contact Port Stephens Surf School. You’ll be up on your surfboard and surfing like a champ.

A short distance away is the famous Birubi Beach near Anna Bay, which includes quad bike trips and sandboarding down the Stockton Sand Dunes.

Facilities at One Mile

As it’s a popular destination, there are a few facilities available including:

  • Kiosk with great takeaway food
  • BBQ and picnic areas
  • Public amenities
  • Showers to wash away the sand
  • Car park is close by

Where to stay?

The Ingenia Holidays One Mile Shore Holiday is a popular optin, very close to the Beach.

The Oasis at One Mile Beach is yet another eco-retreat stashed away in the Melaleuca rain forest. Their sustainable cottages are nestled away from the noise of cars and people but still only minutes from the beaches and national parks that encircle them.

They also have an array of finely maintained powered concrete block sites for RVs and recreational vehicles of all sizes and manicured powered and unpowered grass sites for camping.

One Mile Beach is ideal for a pleasurable weekend trip, family gatherings, or wedding ceremonies.

Map of One Mile Beach

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