Where To See Animals In The Wild In NSW

New South Wales is home to a wide variety of native animals, from the cute and cuddly to the slippery and slimy. Check out where you can see some of the state’s most popular residents in the wild!

Unique Marine Life

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Found 660km from NSW's north coast, the waters of Lord Howe Island are abundant with fascinating and unusual marine life. See some of the 500 species of fish, turtles and stingrays that call the island's waters home while snorkelling and diving or spend an afternoon handfeeding the island's fishy residents at Neds Beach. Surrounded by brightly coloured corals, basalt caves and other fascinating formations, there are plenty of different areas throughout the island's waters to explore.

Little Penguins and Fur Seals

Situated just off the coast of Narooma, Montague Island is the place to head if you're looking to spot little penguins and fur seals in the wild. Home to NSW's largest colonies of each species, you're likely to see between 200 and 2,000 seals and up to 8,000 pairs of little penguins at any one time. Little penguins are best seen with a guided tour, while fur seals can be encountered while swimming, snorkelling or diving.

Whales

During their annual migration along the Australian east coast, Jervis Bay becomes a hotspot of whale activity. Regardless of whether you prefer to stay on solid ground or make your way out to sea on a chartered cruise, there are plenty of ways to see the magnificent mammals. Keep an eye out for species including humpback, southern right, minke and pilot whales as they pass by the popular south coast destination.

Bottlenose Dolphins

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One of the state's top dolphin watching destinations, Port Stephens is an ideal destination for seeing the incredible mammals swim and frolic in their natural habitat. Home to around 150 bottlenose dolphins, the waters of Port Stephens are perfect for spotting the incredible mammals playing and gliding through the water. A variety of chartered cruises run in the area, offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy a dolphin encounter.

Murray Cod

Growing to up to almost 2 metres in length, it's no surprise that the Murray cod takes out the title of Australia's largest species of freshwater fish. Now found throughout many of the country's larger waterways, the famed species was originally found within the waters of the mighty Murray River. Today, although the population is not what it once was, casting your fishing line into the waters of The Murray region may allow you to snag one or two of the well known fish.

Turtles

Located within the waters of the Coffs Coast, the Solitary Islands Marine Park plays host to several different varieties of turtle, including green turtles, loggerhead turtles and hawksbill turtles. Although the reptiles are harder to spot in the water than their larger mammal counterparts, you might just come across a few while swimming, snorkelling or diving. If you're taking a walk along one of the Coffs Coast's beaches, keep an eye out for nesting turtles.