The delegation from the Japanese city of Tateyma was visiting Oakvale Farm at Salt Ash while on a sister city visit to Port Stephens which began last Thursday.

Accompanied by Port Stephens mayor Bruce Mackenzie and Sister Cities program chairman Ted Tindall, the group took in sights around the Port including, Fingal Bay surf club, a macadamia farm and the grave of former Port mayor and sister city enthusiast John Bartlett.

The group attended an official sister city affirmation ceremony at the council chambers on Saturday.

Tateyama Mayor Kenechi Kanamaru, who has been to Australia twice before, said there was a lot to learn from the Port that he could take home to his own seaside city.

‘‘The warm welcome we received is the best thing so far,’’ he said.

‘‘But I learnt a lot from Nelson Bay.

‘‘Tateyma does not have a lot of cruising for tourists and Port Stephens is such a hub for tourism we can use a lot of this back home.’’

Cr Kanamaru said while he had seen kangaroos before, he had never experienced touching or feeding one.

‘‘They are adorable,’’ he said.