You have to experience sandboarding in Port Stephens. The thrill of sliding down the spectacular Stockton Sand Dunes is so much fun. From the meeting point at Birubi beach, you will board the custom-built off-road vehicle to start your adventure on the short, bouncy ride into the largest moving sand mass in the southern hemisphere. The dunes stretch 32 kilometers, the entire length of Stockton Beach, and can reach over 40 meters high, the same as a 10 storey building. The views alone are spectacular. Once you are in the dunes, the team will give you a rundown on sandboarding and how to use the handmade custom-designed boards for maximum safety and speed. Then you are off. Climb to the top of the dunes, jump on your board, then slide on down and repeat. Your ticket includes unlimited sandboarding so you can stay and play as long as you like. For most people that’s about 1 – 1.5 hours. When you're done just jump back aboard one of the 4WD buses, that leave every half an hour, and be taken back to the Birubi Beach starting point. It’s an amazing experience for everyone, no matter your age. The instructors are always on hand to help, answer any questions about sandboarding, Port Stephens or the dunes and to make sure you have maximum fun. Don’t forget to bring your camera along as you’ll have the chance to capture some amazing Port Stephens holiday snaps.

The shallows encounter offers you the opportunity to get close to sharks and rays in a natural lagoon-style habitat. Get to know the true nature of these animals in a safe and educational environment. When you arrive at Irukandji you will be greeted by staff members who will guide you through the whole process, from learning how to interact safely with the animals to providing you with all the equipment needed to enter the water and meet the animals. Choose from the option of wearing your own clothes in the water and just getting your feet and legs wet, or renting a wetsuit for an extra $10 to get fully immersed in the warm water of the lagoon. You can choose to go barefoot or cover up your toes with a pair of wear and keep souvenir socks. At the lagoons, you will be given a feeding stick and food for the sharks and rays, and then guided around to the different pools by a knowledgable fish keeper. Each of the pools is home to different species of fish with specific food and information provided at each one. You will get to reach in and interact with the animals as they swim around in their aquatic homes. Irukandji features 2 large, deep, natural-style lagoons housing a variety of different animals. In the Fingill lagoon, you’ll meet a whole bunch of friendly and curious rays who will glide over your feet and eagerly snatch the food from your sticks. Reach down to pet them and feel the different textures of their skin. Then over at the tropical lagoon, meet a few more rays plus a variety of shark species including zebra sharks, brown-banded bamboo sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and the huge tawny nurse sharks. You can interact with them while listening to the keepers as they give educational talks about sharks, rays, and marine conservation. Afterward, you can rinse off under a warm shower and towel down before heading in for a cruise around the tropical aquarium, watching the clownfish flounce busily around the anemone and the lionfish proudly cruise around their home. Check out the souvenir shop for a large range of sustainable gifts, cute fluffy toys, snacks, cold drinks, and hot coffee.

The zebra shark encounter is the perfect family-friendly activity for everyone to enjoy an intimate and thrilling experience with some of the world's most fascinating creatures. Zebra sharks are beautiful tropical reef sharks who have a friendly and affectionate nature and are happy to come and spend some time with you. When you first arrive at Irukandji you will be greeted by a guide who'll provide you with wetsuits to wear during your encounter, then they'll take you out to meet the animals. The zebra shark encounter runs for around 20 minutes and in that time you will be able to get up close and personal with these incredible animals, all the while guided by an experience zoo keeper. When it's finished you'll be free to spend as long as you want exploring the rest of the aquarium and wading in the lagoons.In the shallows of the lagoons you will find yourself surrounded by sharks and rays of different sizes and species. Your guide will hand out food for them as they talk you through their different personalities, habits and needs. Marvel at their unique and affectionate natures and fall in love with each unique individual as they flap around your feet or swim into your lap, looking for attention. Outside of the water you're welcome to check out the different pools that house a variety of species of fish with specific food and information provided at each one. You will get to reach in and interact with the animals as they swim around in their aquatic homes. Every hour a knowledgeable guide will host an educational talk focusing on sharks, rays and marine conservation. They will help to dispel myths about these amazing creatures and offer you practical ways to help protect the oceans and its inhabitants. Afterwards you can rinse off under a warm shower and towel down before heading in for a cruise around the tropical aquarium, watching the clownfish flounce busily around the anenome and the lionfish proudly cruise around their home. Check out the souvenir shop for a large range of sustainable gifts, cute fluffy toys, snacks, cold drinks and hot coffee.

See the beautiful zebra sharks as they swim around their home in the tropical lagoon! You’ll also get to see leopard whiptail stingrays, giant shovel nose rays, brown banded bamboo sharks and even more as you cruise around the heated lagoon. Start your journey when you arrive at Irukandji to meet your guide and change into the wetsuits provided. They will get you suited up with snorkel gear and some footwear to keep your toes covered (you can even take the Irukandji souvenir socks home with you after), and then take you over to the lagoon to meet the animals. You’ll get to experience both a shallow water encounter where you can feed and interact with a variety of species of sharks and rays in two seperate lagoons, as well as a small group snorkel in the heated tropical lagoon. The snorkel runs for around 30 minutes and you’ll be guided the whole time by a knowledgeable and experienced zoo keeper. Swimming ability is necessary, however if you’re aged under 12 you’ll need to have a parent nearby to assist you if required. During the snorkel you’ll see an array of beautiful animals swimming around you and under you. It’s a beautiful experience not to be missed! Don’t forget to bring your underwater camera to capture some of the memories. After the snorkel you are free to spend as much time as you wish in the shallow water of the lagoons petting and feeding the sharks and rays. Wander around to the outdoor pools and meet more creatures such as eels, baby sharks and various species of fish. There are hot showers available to rinse off after your encounter and a great souvenir shop to browse through and maybe pick something to take home as a token of your special time at Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters.

The Little Ray Cuddle is a unique and gentle activity perfect for all ages and great for families looking for an extra special animal encounter. Your ticket includes both the shallow water encounter where you can feed and pet sharks and rays, and a 20 minute intimate encounter with the rays and stingrays in Fingill Lagoon. When you arrive at Irukandji you will be greeted by a friendly team who will equip you with wetsuits and wear and keep souvenir socks to wear into the water. They will run through some specific instructions about interacting with the animals before guiding you into the lagoon. Together you will sit quietly and wait as the keeper summons the rays to glide over your laps for a very special cuddle. You can pet them as they hover around you and enjoy getting to know their individual personalities. After your encounter is done you are free to wander the aquarium and interact with the animals from the shallow waters of the lagoons. You can head over to the tropical lagoon to meet a variety of shark species that live there and listen to the educational talks from the keepers as they share their wealth of knowledge with you. Your whole encounter will leave you with a newfound appreciation for these gentle, elusive creatures and with a deep sense of stewardship for the ocean. Afterward, rinse off under a warm shower before checking out the rest of the aquarium. Don't forget to check out the souvenir shop for a large range of sustainable gifts, cute fluffy toys, snacks, cold drinks, and hot coffee.