If you’re drawn to nature, you can’t do much better than Sydney and NSW. Beyond its stunning coastlines and picturesque landscapes, an entire world awaits both on land and underneath the ocean’s surface. From sharing the waters with the ocean’s apex predators to playing with alpacas and exploring sand dunes on horseback, there is a staggering array of wildlife to discover. Whether you’re snorkelling, hiking, birdwatching or simply exploring the local wildlife is sure to captivate you. Here are some of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters you can have in and around Sydney.
1. Shark diving at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
Think you’re brave enough to swim with sharks? Sydney’s own Sea Life Aquarium offers an unbeatable shark diving experience and even amateurs can do it. Participants must be 14 years or older and have basic swimming skills to take part in this adventure which will last about 2.5 to 3 hours. You’ll first have a 90-minute introductory session to get you familiar with the experience, and then you’ll dive in and enjoy a swim session with sharks, stingrays and more. This is also an intimate diving experience and you’ll share the session with only 3 other people. Book a spot here.
2. Ride camels in Port Stephens
Did you know you could experience the thrill of the largest coastal sand dunes in the southern hemisphere on camelback? It’s one of Port Stephens’ most exciting offerings where guests can experience stunning sunsets and sweeping beach views as they are taken on a guided tour along the soft sands of the beach. Port Stephens also offers horse riding on the beach which includes trail-riding through the bush and the beach. Find tours here.
3. Night snorkelling with corals at Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island offers a wealth of experiences including a remarkable underwater adventure best experienced after dark. Lord Howe Environmental Tours offers nighttime snorkelling bringing visitors up close to glow-in-the-dark coral reefs. The experience takes place in the summer months where you will be taken out to the island’s lagoon on glass-bottom boats. From here you can explore the wonders of the reef using special equipment which enables snorkelers to see coral fluorescence. It’s an unforgettable underwater experience in one of Australia’s best-hidden gems. Book a tour here.
4. Meet alpacas on the Central Coast
There is plenty to do in the Central Coast and one of the more wholesome activities includes meeting cute alpacas at Iris Lodge Alpacas. There is a herd of 120 alpacas and 12 llamas along with horses and sheep to explore here. You can enjoy a hearty breakfast or lunch with the alpacas for company, join in for alpaca meet and greets and go on farm visits to meet the other animals. Best of all, the lodge is located a short hour’s drive from Sydney making it the ideal weekend getaway. Book a spot here.
5. Humpback whale encounters at Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay is well known for many things — pristine white sand beaches, bioluminescent waters, incredible natural wonders and more. It’s also amongst the best places in NSW to spot migratory whales between May and November. See whales breaching and blowing offshore, leaping out of the oceans and more in this spectacular (and free) display. Some fail-safe spots for whale watching include the Jervis Bay Marine Park where you can also see dolphins, turtles, seals and other eclectic marine life, Point Perpendicular Lighthouse and Booderee National Park. Alternatively, you could also book a tour with Jervis Bay Wild and let the experts guide you.
6. Feed stingrays at Bendalong Beach
Did you know you can swim with and hand-feed stingrays just a stone’s throw from Sydney? Find these beautiful creatures along the shores of Boat Harbour Beach at Bendalong Point, a small and unassuming village of less than 100 people. Visitors will find a boat ramp by the harbour where these sea creatures will often swim up to look for food. The beach also boasts the clearest of waters so you can grab some truly brilliant photos for posterity.
7. Stroll the beach with kangaroos
Depot Beach in Murramarang National Park offers an array of activities including delightful swimming holes, native wildlife and crystalline waters to float around in. But it’s most famous for the kangaroos that can be found in abundance around the beach. Meet eastern grey kangaroos and swamp wallabies hopping along the beach, a common occurrence in this part of the park and one of the more laid-back wildlife experiences in NSW. Pebbly Beach is another popular spot to hang around with the resident roos.
8. Learn more about koalas
Keen to learn more about one of Australia’s most iconic animals? You might be surprised to learn that koalas are vulnerable to extinction due to several factors including loss of natural habitat, climate change impact, bushfires and more. Concerted efforts are being made to rehabilitate and release koalas in the wild around NSW and Australia. Head to Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary and see these adorable creatures in their natural surroundings or cuddle up a koala at the Symbio Wildlife Park in Helensburgh. You can also see koalas up close in Sydney at Taronga Zoo, Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, Koala Park Sydney and Wild Life Sydney.
9. Discover an underwater nature trail
Looking for more underwater adventures? You don’t have to go too far from the city. Sydney is home to a dedicated underwater nature trail and it’s one of the most unique underwater wildlife experiences in the city. The 600-metre-long nature trail is a self-guided underwater adventure which will bring you up close to marine life like blue gropers, cuttlefish, wrasses and rays. The trail should take nothing more than 45 minutes to complete and you’ll find plenty of information along the way if you want to learn more about the local sea life. Read more about it here.