A narrow entrance between two striking hills of volcanic origin marks the opening of Port Stephens to the sea. The southern headland, "Tomaree" or South Head, rises to above mean sea level (AMSL) while "Yacaaba", the northern headland, is AMSL. The harbour is mostly shallow and sandy but contains sufficient deep water to accommodate large vessels. After its recovery from the wreck site in 1974 the bow of the , a Norwegian bulk carrier that was shipwrecked on Stockton Beach earlier that year, was moored in Port Stephens, at Salamander Bay, for almost two years.