Bay FM 99.3
"playing the music you grew up with"

Port Stephens Events

Port Stephens is home to many exciting annual events spread throughout the year. Whether you're a local or a visitor there's always something happening.

Some local Port Stephens events may also be listed on our Community Message Board

February 2012:

Friday 17th to Monday 5th March: Blue Water Festival on the waterfront at Nelson Bay.
"Blues, Wine 'n Food" to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Port Stephens Game Tournament. Free music, free entertainment, Classic and Vintage Bike SHow, fishing clinics and workshops.
Contact details: Website ph: 4984 4751

Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th: Port Stephens Game Fishing Club Interclub Game Fishing Tournament (Weekend 1) Weighing Station, Public Wharf, Nelson Bay.
Sailpast commences 7.15am at Dutchmans Bay. Weigh station opens 4pm
Contact Details: Website ph: 4981 0021

March 2012:

Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th: Port Stephens Game Fishing Club Interclub Game Fishing Tournament (Weekend 2) Weighing Station, Public Wharf, Nelson Bay.
Weigh station opens 4pm
Contact Details: Website ph: 4981 0021

Saturday 17th to Saturday 24th: Pacific Rim Yacht Challenge on Port Stephens from Soldier's Point.
Pacrim is a sailing regatta conducted over one week and involving six cities from around the Pacific Rim. The challenge runs every second year and is hosted in turn by the sister cities. This year it is Port Stephens' turn, with the event being conducted by Port stephens Yacht Club.
Contact Details: Website ph: 4982 0919

Friday 30th & Saturday 31st: Trailerboat Sportsfishing Tournament. Nelson Bay harbour.
Held each year with up to 1500 competitors and 500 boats competing for around $100,000 in species and lucky draw prizes.
Contact Details: Website ph: 0416 282 022 or 9029 6554

April 2012:

Sunday 1st: Trailerboat Sportsfishing Tournament. (continued) Nelson Bay harbour.
Held each year with up to 1500 competitors and 500 boats competing for around $100,000 in species and lucky draw prizes.
Contact Details: Website ph: 0416 282 022 or 9029 6554

Sunday 1st: Daylight Saving ends Sunday 3rd April at 3:00 am.
Put your clocks & watches back one hour. Remember, Spring forward, Fall back!

Friday 6th: Good Friday PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Sunday 8th April: Easter Sunday Bay FM Easter Egg Hunt - Venue to be advised.
Monday 9th: Easter Monday PUBLIC HOLIDAY,

Monday 16th to Sunday 23rd: Sail Port Stephens, on Port Stephens from Soldier's Point.
Sail Port Stephens is one of the fastest growing regattas in Australia, and there's lots of reasons why. It's family friendly, with a wide range of affordable accomodation. (check Bay FM's Port Stephens Accomodation page)
Contact details: Sail Port Stephens Website ph: 0422 844 198

Wednesday 25th: ANZAC Day. Apex Park, Nelson Bay.
Dawn Service: 5.25am: Assemble at Apex Park. Commemoration at 5.30am
Main service: 10.30am: March assembles at Nelson Bay Bowling Club. 10.40am: March moves off down Stockton Street. 10.50am: Main Commemoration Service begins at Apex Park.
Contact details: Nelson Bay RSL Sub-branch c/- Nelson Bay Diggers Club ph: 4984 1344

Saturday 29th: Bay FM 99.3 - 14th Birthday. Port Stephens' oldest permanently licenced radio station, Bay FM 99.3, turns 14.

Saturday 29th: Port Stephens Outrigger Challenge, at Shoal Bay Beach
Hosted by the Port Stephens Outrigger Canoe Club and featuring the now famous 35km Bay and Beyond race.
Contact details: Port Stephens Outrigger Canoe Club Website ph: 0408 631 0811

Sunday 30th: Twin Peak Challenge, at Shoal Bay Beach
Hosted by the Port Stephens Outrigger Canoe Club, the gruelling Twin peak Challenge draws competitors from all forms of paddle craft (not just outrigger canoes).
Contact details: Port Stephens Outrigger Canoe Club Website ph: 0408 631 0811

May 2012:

Sunday 13th: Mother's Day

Friday 18th, Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th: Karuah "River of Music" Festival
on the river and about town in Karuah. Featuring the best that Australian bluegrass has to offer.
Contact details: Website ph: Bill Mundie 0417 217 657

Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th: Surfing NSW Stand-Up Paddleboard State Titles One Mile Beach and d'Albora Marinas, Nelson Bay.
Thursday and Friday: Surfing Competition - One mile Beach; Saturday and Sunday: Races and Festival Activities - Based around One Mile Beach to d'Albora Marinas, Nelson Bay.
Contact: Surfing New South Wales Website ph: 9349 7055

June 2012:

Friday 8th to Monday 11th: Blue Water Country Music Festival
Port Stephens' renowned country music festival over the Queen's Birthday weekend. Featuring artists and bands, concerts, busking, bush poets and a ute muster.
Contact details: Website ph: 4984 4751

Monday 11th: Queen's Birthday PUBLIC HOLIDAY

July 2012:

Sunday 1st to Sunday 8th: (Dates to be confirmed)Sculptures by the Bay
Sculptures by the Bay is an annual sculpture competition offering prize monies with the winning entries remaining in the Nelson Bay landscape. Sculpture pieces will be displayed along the waterfornt and the at the Marina. There's also stalls, entertainent and kids activities. Contact details: Website ph: 4984 4751

August 2012:

Saturday 4th August: The Raymond Terrace Aquatic Club Annual Powerboat Trophy Day Held on the Hunter and Williams Rivers, the Powerboat Trophy Day racing commences at Riverside Park on Saturday August 6th with the juniors racing from 10:30am and seniors racing from 12:30pm. Click here to download details (pdf 379kb)

Sunday 5th August: Show N’ Shine, Port Stephens which is expected to attract up to 120 prized cars and 20 motorbikes of all kinds in the main street of Raymond Terrace. A great day out for all the family, the event will also include children’s amusements and food stalls.
See the Bay FM Community Message Board

Sunday 12th to Friday 17th August: Port Stephens Classic Golf Tournament
Played at various golf courses around Port Stephens.
Presented by the Nelson Bay and District Business Chamber, the Port Stephens Classic offers golfers a unique experience with the tournament being played on three premier gold courses. Only visitors to the region are eligble to participate.
Contact Details: Website ph: 4984 4751

September 2012:

Sunday 2nd September: Father's Day

Saturday 8th: Shoal Bay Jazz Wine & Food Festival at Shoal Bay Resort & Spa.
Experience local produce from the Hunter Valley and Port Stephens. Sample wine from Hunter Valley Wineries, indulge in fresh local produce straight from the supplier or carefully prepared by experienced local chefs and be entertained with live Jazz concerts.
Contact Details: Website ph: 1800 18 18 10

Saturday 15th: Clans on the Coast 8:30am-4.30pm at Tomaree No 1 Sports Ground, Nelson Bay.
Pipe Bands, Scottish & Celtic Dancing, Singing groups, Stalls, Ancient battle re-enactments, Food & Beverages, and more...
Contact Details: Website ph: 0418 495 336

October 2012:

Monday 1st: Labour Day PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Sunday 7th: Daylight Saving begins Sunday 7th October at 2:00 am.
Put your clocks & watches forward one hour. Remember, Spring forward, Fall back!

Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th: Karuah Oyster & Timber Festival at Longworth Park, Karuah.
Wood Chopping includes: Hardest Hit, Relay & Australian Title Chops. Axemen at the festival will include: Guinness World Record holder, Australian & NSW Champions, Members of the Australian Team, as well as local axemen.
Something for everyone, stalls & Entertainment both days.
Contact details: Dawn Lyall 4997 3088

Friday 26th & Saturday 27th: Myall River Festival on the Tea Gardens Waterfront.
The Festival is a family-friendly day, with a large variety of market stalls,stage entertainment, river activities, games and competitions for the kids, all taking place on the magical waterfront of Tea Gardens, beside the Myall River.
Contact Details: Website ph: 4984 1333

November 2012:

Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th: Tastes At The Bay on the Nelson Bay foreshore.
Local fine food restaurants, wineries from the Hunter Valley and Port Stephens along with music to make your day.
Contact details: Website ph: 4984 4751

Sunday 11th: Remembrance Day at the War Memorial in Apex Park, Nelson Bay.
Service commences at 10.50am with Bugler provided by Australian Army, Newcastle and Catafalque and Flag Party supplied by RAAF, Williamtown. Luncheon and Drinks at Nelson Bay Diggers Club for RSL sub-Branch members.

Saturday 17th: Tilligerry Festival on the waterfront at Henderson Park, Lemon Tree Passage
Sail Past and Blessing of the Fleet, markets, rides and entertainment all day. Spectacular fireworks in the evening at around 8pm. There's something for everyone.
Contact Details: Tilligerry Community Association. Phone: Sue Hamilton 4982 4374

December 2012:

Saturday 1st: Christmas Carols and Fun on the Nelson Bay waterfront.
Nelson Bay and District Business Chamber presents Twilight Carols at 4pm with Port Stephens Community Band, Sea-Side Singers, "Splash the Dolphin", and Santa Claus.
Contact details: Website ph: 4984 4751

Tuesday 25th: Christmas Day
Wednesday 26th: Boxing Day
Monday 31st: New Year's Eve at d'Albora Marinas, on the waterfront at Nelson Bay.
Fireworks at 9pm and midnight. Live bands, entertainment.

January 2013:

Monday 1st: New Year's Day

Satuday 26th: Australia Day
Monday 28th: Australia Day Public Holiday