Did you think it wasn’t possible to see whales with your dog in tow? Think again! Even though a lot of the vantage points are within national parks, there are still options accessible to you with your dog. From headland walks and coastal trails to a handful of cruise operators that welcome pets on board, this guide covers it all for New South Wales.
Dog-Friendly Whale Watching Cruises
Dog-friendly whale watching cruises are rare in Australia, as most operators don’t permit pets on board with Sapphire Coast Adventures being the exception.
Sapphire Coast Adventures departs from Eden NSW and you must let them know you’re bringing a dog at the time of booking. All dogs must remain on-lead at all times to avoid being a hazard to other passengers.You can find booking details and upcoming departure dates on the Sapphire Coast Adventures website.
If you’re just looking to get out onto the water with your dog to spot marine life, Jervis Bay Wild offers pet-friendly dolphin cruises year round on the Port Venture. Port Venture is their pet-friendly vessel, but unfortunately, they do not offer a pet-friendly option for whale watching.
Dog-Friendly Whale Watching Walks
For those who prefer to keep their feet on solid ground, Australia’s coastal trails and headland walks offer stunning vantage points to spot whales on their annual migration. Listed are all the walks that are dog-friendly. From rugged cliff-top tracks to leisurely foreshore strolls, here’s a guide by region where you might just catch a whale sighting.
The Sapphire Coast
The Sapphire Coast is one of Australia’s best whale watching regions and a sanctuary for migrating humpback and southern right whales. Between August and November, these magnificent creatures travel south with their calves, often coming remarkably close to shore and making them easily visible from land.
While peak sightings occur during the southern migration, it’s worth keeping an eye out from May to August too. You may catch humpbacks heading north to their breeding grounds. They tend to stay further offshore during this leg of the journey, though increasing numbers are being spotted closer to the coast each year.
| Location | Walk Description |
|---|---|
| Short Point Beach, Merimbula | Short Point Beach (Tura Beach) has some of the best coastal views on the Sapphire Coast. The headland includes amenities and a lookout platform with sun deck chairs. A short walk down the cliff from the car park gives quick access to the beach. The grassy reserve area includes a signposted off-lead dog walking area. |
| Tathra Headland Walk | It is a short but scenic, all-abilities 300-metre walk that allows dogs on leads. It features a series of boardwalks and walking paths as well as an elevated viewing platform, beautifully crafted from reclaimed wharf timbers. Please note that the walk starts next to the historic Tathra Wharf, where dogs are not permitted. |
| Eden Rotary Lookout | Dogs are welcome on lead. Eden Rotary Lookout has spectacular views across Twofold Bay and during spring, humpback whales often come right into the bay to rest, nurse, and feed on their long journey to Antarctica. Stroll the 1.5km return Rotary Walk along the headland, where you’ll encounter a coastal pine forest, tea tree tunnels, elevated vantage points and picnic spots. |
| Tura Headland Lookout | The scenic 1 km coastal walk leading to the lookouts is dog-friendly, provided your dog is kept on a lead. It’s a fantastic spot for coastal views and seasonal whale watching. |
| Aslings Beach Maritime Walk | A 4 km beachside trail where on-lead dogs are permitted on the concrete and timber boardwalk. The southern end where clifftop viewing platforms overlook the rocky coastline and the higher elevations near the rocky cliffs offer excellent viewing for whales and dolphins. From May to early November, migrating humpback and southern right whales can be seen sheltering or breaching close to the shoreline. The peak migration occurs between June and July. |
Jervis Bay Region
Jervis Bay is one of Australia’s most spectacular whale watching destinations and a beloved resting point for migrating humpback and southern right whales. Between June and November, these magnificent creatures travel south with their calves, using the bay’s calm, sheltered waters as a nursery and come remarkably close to shore, which makes them easily visible from land.
While peak sightings occur during the southern migration, it’s worth keeping an eye out from May onwards too. You may catch humpbacks heading north to their breeding grounds during the earlier months, and as the season progresses, the iconic sight of mothers and newborn calves resting in the bay becomes increasingly common.
| Location | Walk Description |
|---|---|
| Wreck Walk | Penguin Head Lookout is an on-lead area to spot whales and dolphins. Both Crookhaven Heads to the north and Penguin Head offer sweeping views from Shoalhaven Heads all the way to Currarong in the south. The lookout has a short flat paved walk from the carpark. Culburra beach allows dogs off lead during certain hours of the day. |
| Penguin Head Lookout, Culburra Beach | Penguin Head Lookout is an on-lead area to spot whales and dolphins. Both Crookhaven Heads to the north and Penguin Head offer sweeping views from Shoalhaven Heads all the way to Currarong in the south. The lookout has a short flat paved walk from the car park. Culburra Beach allows dogs off-leash, during certain hours of the day. |
| The Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse Walk | The Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse walk in Culburra Beach is a fantastic, on-lead dog-friendly spot for whale watching. You can stroll the scenic coastal bush track with prime vantage points to spot migrating whales offshore. |
| Hyams Beach Foreshore | The foreshore around the world famous white sand beach offers easy walks with your on-lead dog while keeping an eye out for whales during the migration season. |
Sydney Region
Between May and November, these magnificent creatures travel along Sydney’s coastline, often coming surprisingly close to shore and making them easily visible from the city’s many clifftop headlands and coastal walks.
While peak sightings occur during the southern migration from August onwards, the season kicks off from May as humpbacks head north to their breeding grounds. Sydney’s unique geography, with its deep harbour entrance, prominent headlands and sheltered bays, means whales are frequently spotted from iconic vantage points like the Bondi to Coogee walk, Cape Solander and North Head, making it one of the few cities in the world where world-class whale watching comes as part of the view.
| Location | Walk Description |
|---|---|
| Long Reef Headland, Dee Why | A mainly paved 3km loop with a dedicated whale watching platform at the highest point above Long Reef Point. The headland walk is on-lead but there is an off-lead dog area at Griffith Park at the start of the walk. Best June–October. |
| Bilgola to Mona Vale Headland Walk | A stunning 5km cliff-top walk south of Bondi running toward Watsons Bay with elevated ocean views which makes it great for whale watching from the headlands during migration season. Dogs are allowed along most of the route on lead expect for Gap Park at the northern end near Watsons Bay. |
| South Mona Vale Headland (Robert Dunn Reserve) | An ocean-facing headland with 24-hour off-lead access for dogs. Faces directly onto the open Pacific. It’s a great whale watching spot during migration season. |
| Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk | One of Sydney’s most iconic walks. It’s 6km along the clifftops passing Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly and Coogee. Dogs are allowed on-lead along the entire route but not on the beaches themselves. Elevated headlands offer excellent whale spotting from June to November. |
| Federation Cliff Walk, Watsons Bay | A stunning 5km cliff-top walk south of Bondi running toward Watsons Bay with elevated ocean views which makes it great for whale watching from the headlands during migration season. Dogs are allowed along most of the route on lead, except for Gap Park at the northern end near Watsons Bay. |
North Coast
The NSW North Coast is one of the most rewarding stretches of coastline to watch the humpback migration, with reliable sightings from May to November as whales travel along their ancient highway just offshore. From the Queensland border down to Port Macquarie, the region’s prominent headlands, elevated lookouts and open beaches put you and your dog in a prime position to catch the action — whether that’s a distant spout on the horizon or a full breach close to shore.
| Location | Walk Description |
|---|---|
| Tallow Beach (Suffolk Park end) | The Suffolk Park end of Tallow Beach (accessible via Alcorn Street) is a designated off-lead area where you can walk your dog and spot migrating whales from May to November. |
| Pat Morton Lookout | This clifftop vantage point is the highest along the Ballina Coast and offers panoramic views of the Pacific. Dogs must be on-lead |
| Woolgoolga Headland | The popular Woolgoolga Headland Walk loops around the headland, offering sweeping coastal views and great whale-watching (May-October). Your dog is welcome here, provided they stay on a lead. |
| Grants Beach Coastal Walk | Also known as the Grants Beach Walking Trail. It’s a fantastic, dog-friendly trail located in North Haven (about 30 minutes south of Port Macquarie). It features a scenic 3.5 km bush and coastal track ending at Grants Head, which serves as a prime vantage point for whale watching. |
| Harry’s Lookout | Located in Port Macquarie, NSW, this is a fantastic, dog-friendly spot for whale watching. Dogs must be kept on-lead but can join you on the shady bushland walkway and viewing area to spot passing humpbacks. |
Kiama & South Coast
| Location | Walk Description |
|---|---|
| Kiama Coastal Walk | Runs from Minnamurra to Gerringong with two dedicated whale watching platforms. There’s one at each end. Mostly dog-friendly path; dogs not permitted on some beaches along the route. |
Before you head out, here are a few tips to make the most of your visit:
- Timing is everything. Whale season runs May to November, with June–July the sweet spot for northward migration and September–November for southward migration when mothers travel with their newborn calves.
- Call cruise operators directly. Dog Policies can vary by vessel, day, and season, so it’s best to let them know ahead of time
- Go early. Morning sessions offer the calmest seas and the best light for spotting.
- Know what to look for. Scan for a white puff of spray on the horizon, a dark shape rolling at the surface, or the dramatic flash of a full breach.
- Bring the right gear. Binoculars and polarised sunglasses make a huge difference, as the glare can hide a lot.
- Keep your dog on a leash. Safety first for both dogs and protecting coastal wildlife.
- Be patient. Find a good headland, settle in, and let the ocean do the rest.
Whether you’re watching from a pet-friendly whale watching cruise or spotting them from land, New South Wales offers an extraordinary whale watching experience, and your dog can be right there beside you for every breach and blow.