Port Stephens (New South Wales)

For other uses, see Port Stephens.

Port Stephens
Looking towards Yacaaba, the northern headland at the entrance of Port Stephens, along Jimmys Beach from Winda Woppa
Port Stephens is located in New South Wales
Port Stephens
Port Stephens
LocationHunter, Mid North Coast, New South Wales
Coordinates32°41′57″S 152°7′26″E / 32.69917°S 152.12389°E / -32.69917; 152.12389
Lake typeAn open tide dominated drowned valley estuary[1]
Primary inflowsKaruah River, Myall River, Tilligerry Creek
Primary outflowsTasman Sea, South Pacific Ocean
Catchment area296.8 square kilometres (114.6 sq mi)[2]
Basin countriesAustralia
DesignationMarine park
Max. length24 km (15 mi)
Max. width6.5 km (4.0 mi)
Surface area134 square kilometres (52 sq mi)[2]
Average depth14.1 metres (46 ft)[2]
Water volume1,741,516.5 megalitres (61,501.07×10^6 cu ft)[2]
Shore length1113 km (70 mi)
Surface elevation0 m (0 ft)
Islands16
SettlementsAnna Bay, Bobs Farm,
Bundabah, Carrington,
Corlette, Hawks Nest,
Karuah, Lemon Tree Passage,
Mallabula, Nelson Bay,
North Arm Cove, Oyster Cove,
Pindimar, Salamander Bay,
Soldiers Point, Shoal Bay,
Swan Bay, Tahlee,
Tanilba Bay, Taylors Beach,
Tea Gardens
WebsiteNSW Planning & Environment webpage
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Port Stephens, an open youthful tide-dominated drowned-valley estuary,[1] is a large natural harbour of approximately 134 square kilometres (52 sq mi)[2] located in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales, Australia.[3]

Port Stephens lies within the Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park and is situated about 160 kilometres (99 mi) north-east of Sydney. The harbour lies wholly within the local government area of Port Stephens; although its northern shoreline forms the boundary between the Port Stephens and MidCoast local government areas.[4]

According to the 2006 census, more than 26,000 people lived within 3 km (1.9 mi) of its 113 km (70 mi) long shoreline and more than 32,000 lived within 10 km (6 mi).[5]

  1. ^ a b Roy, P. S; Williams, R. J; Jones, A. R; Yassini, I; et al. (2001). "Structure and Function of South-east Australian Estuaries". Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 53: 351–384. doi:10.1006/ecss.2001.0796.
  2. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference OEH was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Port Stephens". Land and Property Management Authority - Spatial Information eXchange. New South Wales Land and Property Information. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
  4. ^ "Port Stephens". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 8 July 2008. Edit this at Wikidata
  5. ^ Consolidated population figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 census