Pets deserve holidays too. Your dogs and animal friends can enjoy cafes, restaurants, walks, beaches, markets, cruises, hotels and holiday parks in the Jervis Bay and Shoalhaven region on the South Coast.
- 4 min read
Where to drink
It’s thirsty work exploring Jervis Bay and the Shoalhaven region. Thankfully, there are plenty of pet-friendly wineries where you and your pooch can refuel. Head to Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla to enjoy an alfresco wine tasting in their garden or find your new favourite craft brew from the on-site brewery. There is plenty of green space to walk your four-legged friend, they just ask that you keep them on-leash. Near Shoalhaven Heads, Coolangatta Estate offers tastings, guided tours and picnics around the grounds. Book online and they’ll reserve you and your pooch an outdoor table in the shade.
Cupitt's Wine Garden, Ulladulla - Credit: Elise Hassey
Sustainability is the credo behind Mountain Ridge Wines, which has a cellar door, restaurant, market garden and accommodation on its site at the base of Cullunghutti Mountain. Pooches are welcome on-leash at the outdoor drinking and dining area, and they might get to meet the estate’s own wine dogs.
There are three pet-friendly breweries in the region, including Jervis Bay Brewing Co and Swordfish Brewing, which both come with plenty of alfresco drinking and dining space. And Flamin’ Galah Brewing Co, where you can enjoy your beverage in a beautifully manicured beer garden - pets are allowed until 8pm.
Mountain Ridge Wines, Coolangatta
Where to eat
You’ll want to make a reservation to eat at Bangalay Dining - it’s hugely popular for its mod-Aus cuisine, showcasing native produce like finger lime and lemon myrtle, as well as its pet-friendly outdoor dining areas.
Overlooking the harbour, check out OceanVibe in Ulladulla, a local favourite for breakfast tacos, seafood lunches, and evening cocktails with pet-friendly outdoor seating. For a seasonal menu that supports local growers, wineries and distilleries, head to The Garden’s all-weather courtyard in Berry.
Other places where you can dine with your pooch include the Huskisson Hotel, which has ample outdoor seating in its terrace and on the deck; 5 Little Pigs, which has limited outdoor seating; and Wildginger, a pan-Asian restaurant in Huskisson with alfresco dining.
The Garden Berry, Berry - Credit: Dave Brown | The Garden Berry
Where to walk and play
A short drive to Nowra will see you arrive at Bens Walk, an on-leash (and easy) trail through bushland, replete with an Insta-worthy suspension bridge. There are plenty of other walking tracks where pets are permitted, including the Round the Bay Walking Track, the trail that connects Cudmirrah to Sussex Inlet, paths along the shores of Lake Swan; the Basin Foreshore walk, which begins at Sanctuary Point; and the Abraham’s Bosom Beach walk, which ends with a dramatic crawl through a cave. There’s also a grassy reserve here, so bring along a picnic blanket and treats.
Your dog can also burn off some energy at River Road Reserve, an off-leash park curving around the Shoalhaven River; and the Nowra Showground, where there’s also a dog agility area.
Round the Bay Walking Track: Huskisson to Vincentia, Huskisson - Credit: Shoalhaven City Council
Where to swim
Jervis Bay and Shoalhaven have some of the prettiest beaches in Australia. And many of them are pet-friendly - some with restricted hours, others all day, year-round. At Shoalhaven Heads, there is a 24-hour off-leash area on Seven Mile Beach, where your pet can find lots of other friends to run around with. There’s also a 24-hour off-leash exercise area at Bawley Point’s Cormorant Beach. And in Ulladulla, Collers Beach and Ulladulla Harbour North Beach welcome dogs around the clock.
Surfing, Shoalhaven Heads
Watch your dog race along the sand at Huskisson, Culburra and Currarong beaches, where dogs are allowed off-leash in areas in the early morning and the evening. You can also let your dog off the leash at certain times of the day at Callala Beach in Callala Bay and Nelsons Beach in Vincentia.
Currarong Beach, Currarong
Things to do
Cruise with Jervis Bay Wild to get up close to resident dolphins frolicking in Jervis Bay Marine Park and try your luck whale-watching during migration season. Their vessel Port Venture allows small pets and support dogs on board.
Time your trip with the first Saturday of the month to visit the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum Markets or the second Sunday of the month for Huskisson Market. Both are pet-friendly and often have stalls devoted to goodies for dogs and other furry friends.
Huskisson Market, Huskisson - Credit: Katie Rivers
Where to stay
After a day of fun, retire for the night with your canine in a hotel, holiday house or caravan park. You can both enjoy some luxury at the stylish Bannisters Pavilion in Mollymook. If you’re looking for a waterfront stay, South Coast Retreat in Greenwell Point is pet-friendly - choose from luxury safari tents, cabins or a three-bedroom holiday house.
Anchored Currarong is a beautiful pet-friendly cottage in the seaside village of Currarong (just be sure to ask in advance), or if you’re after something rural, try Mimosa Eco Retreat in Bawley Point. Nearby Interludes by Willinga Park offers pet-friendly luxury villas in a bush setting, with a sun-filled veranda for lazy afternoons with your doggo.
There are also a number of pet-friendly holiday parks in the region with cabins, caravan sites and camping. Choose from Holiday Haven Shoalhaven Heads, Holiday Haven Currarong, Dolphins Point Tourist Park (except during peak season when camping), Ingenia Holidays Ulladulla and Tasman Holiday Park – Jervis Bay.
Holiday Haven Shoalhaven Heads, Shoalhaven Heads - Credit: Josh Brnjac
