Sports Activities

• Swimming - Stockton Beach is the southern end of the thirty kilometre long sandy beach of Newcastle Bight, that stretches from the Hunter River entrance in the south to Birubi Point in the north.  The southern end of the beach is very sheltered and the Stockton Beach Surf Club (patrolled in Summer) is 100m south of the Ocean View.  If surfing is not your thing, then the Stockton swimming pool is just behind the surf club.

• Surfing - Stockton Beach is a renowned surfing spot, popular for both long and short boards.  Because of the curve of the beach and the partial protection of the breakwaters at the southern end, ideal bar breaks can be found on most days a good swell is running.  Just walk across the road and into the surf.  Parachute surfing is becoming increasingly popular and the colourful parachutes can be seen on the beach on most windy afternoons, along with the windsurfers.

• Fishing - Good beach fishing is available across the road and along the length of Stockton Beach. Popular fishing spots include the northern breakwater, a 10 minute walk to the south which provides opportunities for fishing both the sheltered waters in the Hunter River or the protected ocean at the south end of the beach, very popular with families and children.  There is a regional boat ramp at the end of Hereford Street (200m from the Ocean View) which provides easy access to the waterways of the Hunter River and the ocean through the river entrance.  All types of fishing are well catered for.

• Walking and Cycling - Stockton is flat, located on a sand spit about 200m wide and several kilometres long.   It is a ten minute walk to the centre of the village and the shops.  The 30 km beach provides unlimited opportunities for that long beach walk in the morning or evening.  Or you can take a stroll along the riverfront reserve behind the Ocean View. Another good walk is along the northern breakwater at the southern end of the beach.  Here you can view the wreck of the Adolphe, lost on the entrance shoals in 1904.  There are historical plaques along the breakwater to the many wrecks lost to the Hunter River entrance,.  This is an easy, level walk on a constructed, sealed path.

• Off Road Driving - The central and northern parts of Stockton Beach are open to four wheel driving on the massive sand dunes and beachfront.  The dunes form part of the Newcastle Bight National Park. The wreck of the 40,000 tonne Signa, lost to the beach in 1974 can be seen in the centre of the embayment at the waterline, a most impressive sight!  Easy access to the beach is available along the Williamtown Road, a few minutes drive from the Ocean View.  If you prefer, there is a regular adventure drive in an all wheel drive bus that takes you through the mighty dunes and down to the Signa.  Four wheel dune buggy safaris are also available and trail bikes are extremely popular.

• Horse Riding - The Hunter valley is a well known horse breeding area.  Many horse riding schools and trail riding businesses are dotted through the valley.  There are a number that offer horse rides through the Stockton dunes and along the beach from Williamtown to Anna Bay near Port Stephens.

• Other Sports - The Stockton Bowling club and tennis courts are located behind the beach, about 100m south of the Ocean View.  The renowned Newcastle Golf Club is located at Fern Bay, just a five minute drive from the Ocean View.  Other golf courses of world standard are located in Newcastle itself, throughout the Hunter Valley and Port Stephens, all within a 45 minute drive from the Ocean View.  Golfing for all abilities and budgets is well catered.  Regular sailing races are run along the north arm of the river and offshore through the river entrance starting from the Newcastle Sailing Club.