STATE Government, Council and sailing enthusiasts are predicting the expansion of Newcastle Airport will further propel the Sail Port Stephens regatta in future years.
The Sail Port Stephens Performance Series took place from 25-27 April, with thousands of spectators flocking to catch the regatta in action.
The Sail Port Stephens Bay Series follows from 2-4 May and the dinghy divisions from 3-4 May.
“Port Stephens offers an incredible sailing experience with consistent nor’easters, spectacular scenery and the versatility of its sheltered bay and open water racetracks,” said Sail Port Stephens co-founder Paul O’Rourke, the CEO of the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club.
With Newcastle’s international airport set to open in August, the NSW Government believes the Port Stephens region is on course to become a “global sailing destination”.
“The upgraded Newcastle Airport will bring exciting new opportunities to the region and boost participation in events such as Sail Port Stephens, ensuring a bright future for the local businesses who contribute to the growth of our visitor economy,” Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said.
“We’re setting the stage for our region to become a true international sailing destination.”
Destination NSW, the state’s tourism and major events agency, is supporting that goal, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Newcastle Airport to help secure new international and domestic routes.
Destination NSW has also supported Sail Port Stephens over many years, helping the event grow to become a major visitor drawcard for the region.
“The support for Sail Port Stephens through Destination NSW has been key to the event’s growth from its original week-long regatta format to a month-long sailing super event and we look forward to further elevating the region as a global sailing destination,” Mr O’Rourke said.
Mayor of Port Stephens Leah Anderson said she is excited to see the region’s shores “buzzing with excitement” as the regatta continues in the coming days.
“Sail Port Stephens is not only a thrilling sporting spectacle but it’s also a significant contributor to our local economy,” she said.
“So many of our local businesses receive extra visitors and the event is of huge benefit to our hotels, marinas, cafes, restaurants and shops.”
Minister for Tourism Steve Kamper described the regatta as one of the “premier events on the Australian sailing calendar”.
“[It is] is expected to generate more than $2 million in visitor expenditure in 2025 for the region,” he said.
According to Tourism Research Australia data, the Port Stephens region welcomed 836,300 domestic overnight visitors in the year ending December 2024, up four percent year on year.
Domestic overnight visitor expenditure injected $683 million into the local visitor economy.
There were 25,300 international visitors to Port Stephens during the period, who spent $11 million during their trip.
