A New Chapter for The Whale Narooma
Reimagined by the Merivale Design Studio, The Whale's next chapter is shaped by the relaxed spirit of 1970s coastal design, where considered interiors meet the natural beauty of Narooma.
Words HANDE RENSHAW Photos SEAN FENNESSY
The former Whale Inn has been transformed through a considered collaboration of designers, craftspeople and makers, preserving its original character.
A love letter to Narooma, The Whale Narooma is an 18-key coastal escape that feels both nostalgic and new.
The interiors tell a story with detail and texture.
“With The Whale, we wanted to create something special where people can come and experience the beauty of Narooma and everything it has to offer, in a beautiful setting with great food, staff and service. But the hero is Narooma.”
Custom designed pendants by Lana Launay.
With views across the inlet, the suites draw the surrounding landscape into the guest experience.
Perched at the top of The Whale, the Oceanview Penthouse features a secluded north-facing balcony which opens to spectacular water views.
From green-glazed tiles to vintage-inspired joinery, The Whale's interiors offer a contemporary interpretation of 1970s coastal design.
Record players, layered textiles and vintage-inspired details bring a sense of nostalgia to the contemporary coastal interiors.
A custom raised king bed anchors the Oceanview Penthouse, framing expansive views of Wagonga Inlet.
Textiles, warm timber tones and vintage-inspired details bring the relaxed spirit of 1970s coastal living into the spaces.
Natural textures and handcrafted details bring warmth and character to the Oceanview Penthouse, reimagined by the Merivale Design Studio.
Wellness facilities include a traditional sauna, ice bath and heated magnesium pool, offering space to slow down, restore and reset.
Hotel facilities include a traditional sauna, ice bath, heated magnesium pool, and a pickleball court.
Golden hour across The Whale's landscaped grounds, where guests are encouraged to slow down and settle into the rhythm of Narooma.
Art, texture and materiality combine to create interiors that feel both nostalgic and distinctly contemporary.
Following a three-year transformation, The Whale Narooma is set to officially open in late June, bringing a 1970s influenced coastal design offering to the New South Wales South Coast.
Located on the far South Coast, Narooma has long attracted visitors for its dramatic meeting of ocean, waterways and national parkland. It is this connection to landscape that informs the next chapter of The Whale, an 18-room property designed to immerse guests in the character of the region, while offering a relaxed yet elevated place to stay.
Designed by the Merivale Design Studio, the 18-key property takes cues from the laid-back spirit of 1970s coastal living. Natural textures, custom furnishings and curated artworks create interiors that feel warm and understated, allowing the surrounding landscape to remain the focus.
At the highest point of the property sits the Oceanview Penthouse, complete with a private rooftop garden and views across the inlet. Inside, a curved vintage Featherston lounge, private bar and custom raised king bed create a retreat designed for slowing down and settling in. Throughout the property, Premium Inlet Suites continue the design narrative, pairing terrazzo flooring, bespoke furniture and layered textiles with outlooks across the water and surrounding national park.
Beyond the accommodation, The Whale will be a place to linger. Guests can move between the magnesium pool, sauna, ice bath and landscaped gardens, gather around the sunset-facing firepit or explore the coastline with complimentary bicycles, beach gear and yoga equipment.
Food remains central to the experience, with Dan Hong's Queen Chow returning with refreshed interiors and menu. Overlooking the inlet, the restaurant serves its signature modern Cantonese fare alongside exceptional local seafood sourced from surrounding waters.
For Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes, the project has always been about celebrating Narooma itself, ‘This is our first resort-style accommodation that we’ve done at Merivale, and it’s a very different skill to creating a hospitality venue because there are so many more layers to it. You need to cover the 24/7 experience of the guest and there are a lot of complexities to get it right.’
‘With The Whale, we wanted to create something special where people can come and experience the beauty of Narooma and everything it has to offer, in a beautiful setting with great food, staff and service. But the hero is Narooma,’ he adds.
For General Manager Erin Proud, preserving Narooma's character was central to the vision for The Whale. ‘Narooma has a real sense of character and authenticity that’s becoming harder to find and that’s something we wanted to protect. The Whale is about creating a place where people can properly switch off, while still feeling connected to the town and community around them,’ she says.
Blending considered design, destination dining and a genuine connection to place, The Whale introduces a new chapter for one of the South Coast's most recognisable waterfront stays, inviting guests to experience Narooma at a slower pace.
