A Dog-Friendly Winter of Natural Indulgence: Three Perfect Days in Shoalhaven
Just two hours from Sydney and Canberra, Shoalhaven has quietly earned its reputation as one of Australia's most welcoming destinations for dogs and their people.
This winter, the region trades summer’s humidity for crisp, blue-sky days and the drama of the humpback migration. With a string of dog-friendly cellar doors, craft breweries, and misty coastal trails on offer, it makes more sense than ever as the South Coast's ultimate one-tank escape.
Here is how to spend three perfect winter days with your dog in tow.
Day 1: Mist, Moss, and Merlot — Berry and Nowra
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| Swing into the industrial heart of Nowra for a brew at Hyper Hyper Coffee—their courtyard is a local institution for caffeine fiends and their canine sidekicks. |
Start in Berry, one of the South Coast's most charming country towns and a genuinely easy place to spend a slow winter morning. The Garden Berry — a fully licensed café, restaurant, and bar with a leafy, all-weather courtyard — welcomes dogs on-leash through the rear gate. It’s the natural first stop to fuel up on a local sourdough breakfast by the outdoor heaters before the day begins.
From Berry, head to Bomaderry Creek Regional Park for the She-Oak Crossing walk. This sheltered gorge trail cuts through tall forest and offers excellent protection from the winter wind. It's an easy, flat walk that suits most dogs and fitness levels, and the creek crossings give water-loving breeds an excuse to get their paws wet early—just be sure to pack a microfibre towel in the car for a quick post-hike dry off.
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| Paws on the move: The suspension bridge at Ben’s Walk is a must-see for adventurous dogs. |
The afternoon belongs to the cellar doors. Cambewarra Estate sits in the hinterland above Berry and is one of the region's most welcoming wineries for dogs. Its large, covered Wine Deck overlooking the vineyard is a natural spot to linger over a tasting while your dog settles at your feet—plush rugs are on hand for those extra-chilly afternoons.
If you want to extend the drinks trail, Mountain Ridge Wines welcomes dogs on-leash at its outdoor dining area, where they might even get to meet the estate's own resident wine dogs.
For the night, Interludes by Willinga Park at Bawley Point offers pet-friendly self-contained villas nestled in the bush. With private verandahs and easy access to the coast, it’s the perfect spot to watch the winter stars emerge.
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| Image credit: Bobbie Lea via Travel Australia with Dogs Facebook Group. |
This is the day for the water. From May to November, thousands of humpback whales travel along the NSW coast, and Jervis Bay offers some of the most accessible viewing in the country.
Jervis Bay Wild's Port Venture vessel is the standout option for dog owners—it's the only whale-watching cruise in the region that is specifically pet-friendly, welcoming small dogs on board at no extra charge.
Watching a 40-tonne whale breach while your best friend sits by your side is a bucket-list experience for any dog lover. (Book ahead and check size requirements when you call; adults from $75).
After the cruise, Huskisson's foreshore is the perfect place to decompress. Jervis Bay Brewing Co has plenty of alfresco space and a relaxed, dog-welcoming vibe that makes it an easy brewery lunch stop. If you want to squeeze in a run, Huskisson Beach allows off-leash access in the early morning and evening—a great time to let them burn off some energy on the famous white sands.
In the afternoon, head to Currarong for the Wreck Walk at Abrahams Bosom Reserve. The trail takes you to Wilsons Beach and the 1928 wreck of the SS Merimbula, with dogs on leads permitted throughout. The headland sections are among the best land-based whale-watching vantage points on the coast—bring binoculars and give yourself time to sit and watch the horizon.
Day 3: Coastal Cantering and Artisanal Eats — Milton and Ulladulla
Head south for an off-leash morning at Collers Beach in Ulladulla, a 24-hour off-leash area and one of the most relaxed stretches of sand in the region. In winter, you’ll often have this wide expanse almost to yourself, giving your dog a proper run before the day's eating and drinking begins.
From there, Cupitt's Estate in Ulladulla is a standout lunch option. The winery and brewery complex has a relaxed outdoor garden setting where dogs are welcome on-leash. Don’t miss their estate-made goat’s cheese or a glass of their cool-climate Chardonnay while you soak in the green hills. The food is world-class, the setting is beautiful, and a long lunch here is a legitimate highlight of any Shoalhaven visit.
Finish the trip in Milton, a historic town that rewards a slow wander. The main street has several cafes with outdoor seating that welcome dogs, and many of the town's antique shops and galleries are accustomed to four-legged visitors.
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| Counter-side cuddles: Making new friends at Kindred Coffee in Milton, where the hospitality is just as warm for four-legged visitors as it is for their owners. |
It’s the perfect place to grab a boutique coffee and some local treats before the drive home.
The Road Trip: Low Miles, High Reward
Shoalhaven sits 160km from Sydney and around 200km from Canberra—comfortably within a single tank for most vehicles, and well-serviced for EV drivers. The NRMA operates fast chargers in Nowra, which makes for a natural dog-leg stop to let your pet have a sniff around while the car charges. EV drivers are also served by stations in Vincentia and Ulladulla—check plug-sharing apps for the latest availability before you travel.
For a full list of off-leash areas, pet-friendly accommodation, and dog-welcoming experiences across the region, visit
