2 years ago i left port stephens and sailed to sydney,leaving behind my old aluminium tinnie planing to go back with a trailer and pick it up. Never did. By coincidence this weekend was a catchup with my family at a holiday unit at port stephens. Surprised the tinnie was still there, my nephew had a ute so i gave it to him. We went to get it and Concerned locals told me they know the owner and i cant take it. No said i, its mine and i have the key to the padlock which i soon discovered was at home lol. After offering a picture oportunity and my drivers liscence for id (to totally strangers i might add) all was ok. I now know port stephens has a wonderfull community looking out for each other, which must be nice to be part of.

Just spent a couple of weeks at Christmas just up the road near the wharf in the background. Lovely part of the world.

We (a group 190 dinghy sailors) took over a council park and beach for 10 days. We made sure the locals still had access and cleared the dolly's off the beach each day while racing. The Locals were so friendly, coming down every day to chat about the sailing, and retelling stories. Many of them still do the Port Stephens YC twilight, just for a giggle as most of them put it.

Where exactly is that spot? Shoal Bay? How rough does it get there?

Salamander Bay, on the eastern side of Soldiers Point.

If an Easterly (prevailing in Summer) is blowing, it can get a bit choppy. Further south is a protected spot behind Wanda Wanda Head on the beach for dinghy access. Otherwise across the other side behind Corlette Point is excellent.