The best wildlife experiences in Jervis Bay for nature enthusiasts

The NSW South Coast hotspot is brimming with wildlife.

Jervis Bay is home to a diverse range of animals that will delight any nature enthusiast and spotting its playful residents is one of the most enjoyable things to do in the region. From swimming with whales and seals, to spotting dolphins and fairy penguins or snorkelling with turtles, here are eight of the best Jervis Bay wildlife encounters to be had on the NSW South Coast.

See dolphins on a scenic cruise

dolphins at Jervis Bay — Watch bottlenose dolphins splash and play on a scenic cruise. (Image: Dolphin Watch Cruises Jervis Bay)

Dolphin Watch Cruises was one of the first to offer dolphin and whale watching tours in Australia. It has also been taking visitors on tours to see Jervis Bay wildlife for more than three decades. There’s a high probability you will see the resident bottlenose dolphins surfing the waves created by the boat carving through the seas. And, with the aid of binoculars, you might even be able to spot a whale (between May and November) or sea eagles soaring overhead. It’s one of the best things to do in Jervis Bay.

Swim with whales (and then drink wine)

whale breaching at Point Perpendicular, Jervis Bay — See Jervis Bay’s most majestic creatures. (Image: Jervis Bay Wild)

Did someone say wine and whales? Genius. The Shoalhaven City Council’s Wine & Whales campaign suggests: a whale-watching cruise with Jervis Bay Wild or Dolphin Watch, a Swim with the Whales experience with Dive Jervis Bay and a visit to nearby vineyards such as Cupitt’s Estate and Centennial Vineyards. Top off your wine-soaked whale-watching weekender with a unique stay in Jervis Bay.

Swim with seals

the Woebegone Dive cruise in Jervis Bay — Woebegone Dive has a license to swim with both seals and whales in NSW waters. (Image: Supplied)

Cruise onboard Seascape with Woebegone Free Dive from Woollamia Boat Ramp to snorkel or free-dive with a colony of New Zealand and Australian fur seals. Woebegone is one of only a few operators with a license to swim with both seals and whales in NSW waters. And you can jump in the big blue and do just that during the migration season. Kudos to the eco-minded operator, which partners with Sea Shepherd, for organising monthly beach clean-ups, too.

Spot kangaroos at The Woods Farm

The Woods Farm of Jervis Bay from above — Commune with nature at The Woods Farm.

The emphasis around Jervis Bay is justifiably on its turquoise seas. But there’s also a chance to lose yourself in the surrounding forest and farmland. Families who stay at The Woods Farm of Jervis Bay are encouraged to feed the farm animals, which include a menagerie of cows, horses, and sheep. Give the tree-change a trial run by staying in a cute-as cottage or bell tent, collecting eggs for breakfast and watching Jervis Bay wildlife such as kangaroos hop by on cue.

Spot stingrays on the Husky Ferry

sunset over Currambene Creek Huskisson in Jervis Bay — Hop onboard the sunset cruise at Currambene Creek. (Image: Above Down Under by Kramer Photography)

Take a sunset cruise on Husky Ferry through the Jervis Bay Marine Reserve and it’s highly likely you’ll spy stingrays flying through the cerulean seas. The sunset cruise, which operates out of Huskisson and Myola, is touted by locals as one of the most underrated ways to see the area. Hop onboard the ferry as it makes its way up Currambene Creek in winter to see baby stingrays swimming with their mothers. It’s one of the best ways to encounter Jervis Bay wildlife.

Look for pelicans at Pelican Shores Cafe

Find a perch to sit and look out over St George’s Basin from Pelican Shores Cafe and you are bound to see the large water birds patrolling the shore in search of fish. Watch the pelicans wade into the water yawning open their bills to catch scraps of fish thrown their way by the local fisher folk. This form of feeding does not work at the cafe; form an orderly queue to arrange that seafood plate for two.

Find Fairy Penguins at Murrays Beach

an aerial view of Murrays Beach, Jervis Bay — Stroll down Murrays Beach to see several seabird species. (Image: Destination NSW)

From above, Jervis Bay Marine Park resembles a pretty turquoise necklace, with the sand stretching around the protected seas in a series of perfect crescents. One of the things that makes Jervis Bay so special is the fact it’s teeming with marine life. Secure front-row seats with Jervis Bay Wild to see nesting colonies of several different seabird species, such as the fairy penguin and sooty oystercatcher.

Head out on a kayak

friends kayaking in Jervis Bay — Go kayaking along the turquoise waters of Jervis Bay. (Image: Dee Kramer)

Jervis Bay Marine Park is a haven for marine life. Wait for a day when the skies are stretched tight like a blue tarpaulin before hiring a kayak from Jervis Bay Kayaks . Follow the birds skimming the surface of the water and head outside the marine park where you can appreciate the crystal-clear waterways and beaches. Catch glimpses of fish gliding beneath the water. You can fish here, too – just don’t forget to consult the zoning map for recreational fishing in Jervis Bay Marine Park before doing so.

Luxury meets hyper-local hospitality with an exclusive Christmas stay package and menu you’ll want to be present for.

An Aussie Christmas is like no other. December signals the start of summer, celebrations and festive cheer. While Mariah Carey might not have defrosted just yet, we’ve got less than 100 days left of the year. So it’s time to start planning. Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney is reimagined with a luxurious festive stay package. Celebrate with a curated summer tote, a special seasonal menu that captures the flavours of a Sydney summer and cocktails crafted to capture the spirit of a harbourside Christmas.

This is your sign to skip the end-of-year chaos and let Christmas be taken care of for you.

A stay at Park Hyatt

couple with champagne on the balcony of their park hyatt sydney room — Gaze out from your balcony to see Sydney’s icons.

If you love a room with a view, imagine waking up on Christmas Day to the sound of waves and a sunrise over the iconic Sydney Opera House. Step out to your private balcony to soak in the sun, and you’ll find you’re on the doorstep to the coastal cobblestone charm of Sydney’s very own Christmas boulevard, The Rocks.

Enter Park Hyatt Sydney, a 155-room harbour-side hotel, centered in the beating heart of a historic neighbourhood, seamlessly blending life’s little luxuries with living like a local. Spend long, summer days lounging by the rooftop pool with 360-degree views of this harbour city or indulge in tailored treatments at The Spa.

aerial of park hyatt sydney rooftop pool — Spend summer days by the rooftop pool.

Be seated in The Dining Room, overlooking sparkling waters, to taste the vibrancy of an Australian summer. Led by Executive Chef Tyson Gee, discover a lunch and dinner menu that heroes coastal ingredients.

The festive stay package

Park Hyatt Sydney has introduced a festive stay package to up the Christmas spirit. Guests will enjoy an overnight stay in a guest room or suite with uninterrupted views, valet parking and a full breakfast for two in The Dining Room.

The Summer Kit

branded tote bag of park hyatt sydney with the sydney opera house in background — Take home a branded tote bag.

Because it’s an Aussie Christmas, guests booking the package will also receive a curated, limited-edition Summer Christmas kit stocked with seasonal luxuries, including the hotel’s first-ever branded merch.

Think a signature Park Hyatt Sydney sun cap and Aesop sunscreen valued at $300, all in a branded luxury tote bag. This kit will also be available for purchase throughout December, if you’re in need of any gift ideas.

The details

The festive stay package applies to stays from 1 – 27 December, with a limited number of suites available. Guests can book using the exclusive offer code XMAS25 on parkhyattsydney.com . They can also call +61 2 9256 1234 or email sydney.park.accommodation@hyatt.com.

Christmas dining

christmas menu at the dining room restaurant in park hyatt sydney — Taste a special Christmas menu at The Dining Room.

For the gourmands who want to participate in the festivities but are unable to stay as an overnight guest, Park Hyatt Sydney can still be your Christmas go-to. Taste Chef Tyson Gee’s themed culinary creations throughout December .

From 1 – 24 December, diners can book a Christmas Afternoon Tea from $95 pp. Prepare for Christmas flavours like braised turkey pie with cranberry gel, plus gingerbread and salted vanilla bûche de Noël and a chocolate hazelnut bauble for dessert.

On Christmas Day, The Dining Room and The Living Room will both offer a five-course menu from $425 per person. Start with a glass of NV Taittinger Champagne on arrival – accompanied by Sydney’s finest seafood – and end with a reimagined mango pavlova, with rice pudding and pink peppercorn.

“Our vision was to capture the flavours of a harbourside Australian Christmas,” says Gee. “Guests will enjoy seafood at its best, from fresh oysters to cured ocean trout, paired with tropical fruit accents and festive touches like glazed Berkshire ham and roast duck. Every dish has been imagined for a harbourside Christmas celebration.”

Guests can also enjoy a range of seasonal cocktails crafted by Head Mixologist Kevin Botte, including the Christmas Negroni, Christmas Mulled Wine and a Christmas Cocktail/Mocktail.

Exploring Sydney

woman drinking festive cocktail in the dining room restaurant of park hyatt sydney — The best of Sydney is right on your doorstep.

For those planning a visit, Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney means you’re perfectly situated to explore the best of Sydney.

The hotel is mere steps away from the icons, from Sydney Opera House to the Harbour Bridge, along with the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Add open-air galleries full of murals and explore the nearby cobblestone streets.

Head to the charming Rocks Markets, where the streets transform with seasonal Christmas creations, of the artisan and foodie variety. Then head over to Dawes Point Park for a picnic under the bridge.

Find more 360-degree rooftop views at the Glenmore, or listen to live music at Brewhouse at Squire’s Landing from Wednesday to Sunday (times vary). There’s something for everyone.

For more details on Christmas at Park Hyatt Sydney, visit parkhyattsydney.com or call +61 2 9256 1234.