The southerly current of warm blue water that flows twice a day, blesses Port Stephens with an abundance of gifts. Oysters grow fat, creeks fill up and the bottlenose dolphins come home.
Port Stephens has about eighty resident bottlenose dolphins that love to play. Sighting a dolphin aboard a tour is not a rare occurrence, in fact a close encounter is predictable. The Port Stephens dolphins love to ride waves, diving, weaving, kicking and splashing - regular performers.
Years ago the locals had a love hate affair with the dolphins. Hear the story of the aptly named old Cutfin. Forty years ago an oyster farmer shot at the youthful dolphin who kept knocking over oyster racks. You can still see the neat hole where the two cartridges went through his dorsal fin. Or find Nick, another dolphin that has been around for forty-five years, recognised by the characteristic nick on her fin. The stories are embedded in Port Stephens history.
These days things have changed and the locals hold the dolphins in great esteem. Take a tour, or watch from afar, you never have to wait long to see Port Stephens major tourist attraction.
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