Shark and Ray Rescue Centre Port Stephens
Based at Bobs Farm near Port Stephens, the Shark and Ray Rescue Centre is dedicated to the rehabilitation and rehousing of sharks and rays. An association with local Professional Fishermen allows injured sharks, rays, and other marine creatures caught as a by-catch to be saved.
Getting There
Housed undercover, the centre operates in all weathers, so is great to visit on a rainy day when other activities in Port Stephens close. With only a 40-minute drive from Newcastle, or 20 minutes from Port Stephens it’s easy to get to. Parking is on site with plenty of room available.
What to See When You Arrive
On arrival, a staff member takes you around the centre, so that you are familiar with what’s on display and how to interact with them.
We chose to walk around the tanks and enclosures to view the displays, but for a small fee you can also get in the tanks and feed the sharks. Several people were doing this, mostly young families. They seemed to be having a great time in the water and the sharks they were with were not dangerous.
Birds
The Centre has expanded its operations to include other animals in need, including birds. We were pleased to be able to enter the parrot aviary where a staff member explained about them. Even better, they perched on our shoulders and arms, which was something we were not expecting to do when we arrived.
Other Displays
Housed in large enclosures and several glass cages, the centre has a collection of lizards on display.
A butterfly house has now opened giving visitors the opportunity to see them up close. Our visit did not match its open times, so we will have to go back to see it.
At times, octopus and other marine creatures may be housed here. This is variable, depending on the need to rehabilitate the.
What Did We Think?
This was a fun and interesting place to visit. A great way to see sharks and rays up close, something you don’t often get to do. The experience with the parrots was also great as was seeing the lizards. It’s wonderful that someone is helping rehabilitate injured marine life and rehousing them.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Our photos are available for purchase on
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
I have never seen the fiddler rays before. They are beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
This was the first tme we had seen them too. Their markings are beautiful.
Thanks for sharing these uncommon critters. 👍
Pleased that you liked seeing them. Thanks for reading!
Wow! Thanks for sharing these images in the Rescue Centre. I didn’t see this Leopard shark .Anita
It was great to be able to see the sharks up close. We liked the leopard shark too
During one of my husband’s dives a year ago, a huge stingray swam over his head … probably one of his favourite memories while diving! You have some great photos here – I especially like the colourful parrots.
Thanks for reading. We’ve only seen the rays in tanks, diving with them would be amazing.