The centrepiece of this small town is Tanilba House, on Caswell Cresent, which is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register along with The Temple of the Stork nearby. It is one of Australia's oldest buildings and the oldest in Port Stephens. In 1831 Lieut William Caswell, Royal Navy, received a land grant of, along with an assignment of convicts who cleared the land and built Tanilba House from locally quarried quartz porphry stone and lime mortar made on the property from oyster shells. A small gaol was also built on the Southern side of the house. Ten acres on the eastern side of the hill was used as a vineyard soon after the house was built. An olive tree planted in the vineyard survives to this day and is heritage listed. A bunya pine, the wisteria covered pergola and two Port Jackson figs are also specifically listed. William and Susan Caswell had 11 children in total but two young sons died at the house. The Caswells were impacted by drought and deprived of most of their workforce due to the ceasing of transportation of convict labour by the English government and left the house in 1840s. The house was left uninhabited and became derelict until the late 1800's. Significant restoration and repair of the house was conducted by Elizabeth Holmes in the 1890s using the same builder who built Stanley Park in Fullerton Cove. In 1931 Tanilba House was owned by Henry Halloran who designed such structures as "The Temple", which is behind Tanilba House and which is visible on the main road leading to the house, the stone circular driveway, a wishing chair and other decorative stone structures on the property plus the elaborate gates at what were then the north and south entrances to the town. The stone for these structures was quarried locally from. The northern gates are known as the water gates as they were designed to welcome visitors approaching from the water. Due to expansion the gates now stand inside the what were originally the suburb limits. Tanilba House has been recently restored and is used as a home and wedding or function venue. Tours, high teas and accommodation are also available.
The main beach
The main beach in Tanilba Bay is located on the southern side of Port Stephens and runs from east to west. The eastern part of the beach accessed along a board walk with steps down to small inlets that provide access to the beach under the protection of native trees that a known for their koala population. The centre and western parts of the beach are flanked by various picnic areas and parks and boat ramps with the western most end having a wide stretch of sandy beach. At very low tide the sandy flats are exposed and on occasions during the high tide the water covers all the sand. The bay is protected from southerly winds which makes it a popular place for water sports such as skiing.
