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Gif of Bannisters Port Stephens pool and food

We Needed a Break: Our Family Getaway to Bannisters Port Stephens

It had been one of those weeks. Or rather, one of those stretches of weeks — long, grey-edged ones where family life feels more like a relay race than a rhythm. We were all exhausted. Work stress. School pressure. Laundry piles that never seemed to shrink. So when Damo’s birthday rolled around, we made a decision: if we wanted Dad to actually take a break from working on the pool, we’d have to forcibly remove him.

We decided to check out Bannisters Port Stephens — the newest boutique coastal hotel in the Bannisters family — for a much-needed Port Stephens family getaway.

woman on pier looking at water with hat an d jacket draped on shoulder

A Friday Night Escape to Bannisters Port Stephens

We packed the car with bags and bickering kids, still taking calls on speaker as we hit the highway. The sun dipped low, brushing the edge of the freeway with gold. We promised the children McDonald’s if they could hold it together through the traffic crawl out of Sydney — and miraculously, they did.

There’s something about that Friday night drive — that transition between the stress of “getting away” and the sigh of “we’re doing it” — that always softens me. Somewhere past Newcastle, with ‘90s R&B playing, I started to feel the hum of stillness. A calm that comes not from silence, but from shared direction.

gif of ocean view room

Coastal Charm and Rick Stein on the Menu

Bannisters Port Stephens sprawls elegantly along the shoreline of Soldiers Point, a few sandy turns from the busier parts of the bay. Once the retro Salamander Shores motel, it’s been reborn with coastal whites, timber textures, and that breezy barefoot elegance that Bannisters does so well.

Recently acquired by Salter Brothers Hospitality, the resort joins its sister sites — Bannisters by the Sea and Pavilion in Mollymook — as part of a portfolio of boutique coastal gems under the same ethos.

Our room sparkled with laid-back charm: white-panelled walls, linen sofas, coastal artwork, and a small balcony overlooking the pool. The kids immediately claimed their room next door and dove into a movie while Damo and I slipped away to Julio’s, the on-site Mexican restaurant.

The virgin margarita I ordered was possibly the best non-alcoholic cocktail I’ve ever tasted — spicy, zesty, unapologetically grown-up. Paired with guacamole and tacos, it was the kind of dinner that didn’t need to be fancy to feel like a treat.

Mexican-inspired dishes and cocktails at Julio’s Restaurant, Bannisters Port Stephens.

Morning Rituals (and Turkish Eggs)

The next morning started slowly. No alarms, no school drop-offs — just the smell of croissants and barista coffee pulling us toward Rick Stein’s. The vaulted ceilings and ocean views set the tone for a relaxed breakfast.

The spread was generous without being ostentatious: smoked salmon, boiled eggs, sourdough, fruit, still-warm banana bread, and jammy scones. The kids adored it — mostly for the buffet cereal and permission to eat pastries before 8am. I ordered eggs benedict; Damo went for the Turkish eggs. It was simple, soulful food, perfectly done.

BANNISTERS 7

Spa, Summit, and Serendipity

Later that day, I indulged in a massage at the Bannisters Spa, a sunlit, wood-lined space that smells faintly of eucalyptus and Leif body oils. My therapist, Isobel, understood exactly what I meant when I said, “firm but not punishing.” Her intuitive touch found every knot I’d ignored for months. I left lighter, calmer, grateful for stillness.

Afterward, we tackled the Mount Tomaree Summit Walk, a short but steep hike with breathtaking views across Shoal Bay. We stopped at an old World War II fort, its rusted relics and panoramic lookout adding a sense of awe.

Lunch was sushi, eaten impromptu at George’s Reserve near the hotel, where the kids channelled their inner survivalists (thanks to Alone on SBS). Max fashioned a hand reel from a Coke can ring pull and fishing wire, while Lulu searched for worms. He caught nothing — but was completely content.

Just as we thought we had the beach to ourselves, a local death metal band arrived to film a video clip. Cue live guitars and screaming vocals under a pastel winter sky. It was bizarre, beautiful, and somehow perfect.

light woods at day spa in port stephens

Sunset Fights and Seafood Nights

We caught sunset at Soldiers Point — the kind that paints the water in molten gold. The kids bickered, of course, but there was gentleness to it. Familiarity. The kind that says, “We’re okay again.”

Dinner was at Rick Stein at Bannisters, where we ordered the seafood tagliatelle and signature fish pie. The kids retreated to their room post-meal, blissfully glued to their screens, leaving us to enjoy an unhurried glass of wine and a rare grown-up conversation.

sigourney in pool looking out at view

Why Bannisters Port Stephens Is Perfect for Families

Bannisters Port Stephens is that rare find — relaxed yet refined.

It’s the kind of boutique resort that feels indulgent for parents yet effortless for kids — a true Port Stephens family getaway.

port stephens aerial view

Final Word: Escape the Grind, Reconnect in Style

This weekend at Bannisters reminded us why slowing down matters. Work bleeds into life at home; chores blur into evenings. But here, we laughed, hiked, ate, soaked, and — most importantly — reconnected.

If your calendar’s full but your heart feels scattered, take the detour. Pack the kids (and maybe a good book), and escape to Bannisters Port Stephens. It’s not just a weekend away — it’s a reset button for the whole family.

Before You Book: Bannisters Port Stephens Q&A

Where is Bannisters Port Stephens located?

Bannisters Port Stephens is at Soldiers Point, around two and a half hours north of Sydney.

Yes. The resort offers spacious rooms, family dining, a heated pool, and nearby hikes — perfect for relaxed, luxury family getaways.

Guests can dine at Rick Stein at Bannisters for seafood, Julio’s for Mexican, or visit the nearby Cheeky Dog Pub.

The mix of coastal charm, boutique design, fine dining, and family-friendly atmosphere make it one of NSW’s most stylish seaside stays.

Words and photos by Sigourney Cantelo, select images by Bannisters Port Stephens 

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