Jervis Bay·NSW
Booderee National Park
Bushwalks, quiet coves and Aboriginal-managed country on the southern headland of Jervis Bay.
Things to do in Jervis Bay
Some of the whitest sand in the world, three hours from Sydney.
- White sand beaches
- Dolphins
- Booderee National Park
- Whale watching
Visit Shoalhaven
Jervis Bay is a wide, sheltered bay on the NSW South Coast, about three hours south of Sydney and two hours from Canberra. It is best known for the brightness of its sand, which is fine, quartz-white and squeaks underfoot at Hyams Beach.
The bay is a marine park, so the water is clear and a resident population of bottlenose dolphins lives in it year round. Humpback whales pass through on migration between May and November. Booderee National Park sits on the southern headland and is jointly managed with the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community, which is what makes it different to the other coastal parks along this stretch.
Most visitors base themselves in Huskisson, which has the cafes, the pubs and the cruise operators. Vincentia and Hyams Beach are quieter. The bay works as a day trip from Wollongong, but it is really a two night place.
13 things to do
What is actually here
Callala Beach·NSW
Callala Beach
The long, quiet beach on the northern shore of Jervis Bay, looking back across the water at Beecroft Peninsula. Off-leash dog area on the restricted hours.
Huskisson·NSW
Stay at Bluebell, Huskisson
A four bedroom holiday house a short walk from the beach, with a pool, a sauna and a cabana.
Huskisson·NSW
Huskisson Beach
The town beach, facing into the bay rather than the ocean, so it is flat on the days the surf beaches are not.
Huskisson·NSW
Huskisson waterfront walk
A flat, sealed path along the bay from the town centre past Moona Moona Creek. Good with a pram.
Huskisson·NSW
Dolphin and whale cruise from Huskisson
Resident bottlenose dolphins year round, and humpbacks on migration between May and November.
Huskisson·NSW
Jervis Bay Maritime Museum
Huskisson's indoor option, built around a 1911 Sydney ferry that was made a few hundred metres up the creek. Open every day.
Huskisson·NSW
Moona Moona Creek
A shallow tidal creek mouth at the southern end of Huskisson Beach. The calmest water in town for small children.
Huskisson·NSW
Voyager Memorial Park
A waterfront park in the middle of Huskisson, and the memorial to the 82 men lost when HMAS Voyager sank off Jervis Bay in 1964.
Hyams Beach·NSW
Swim at Hyams Beach
The white sand beach Jervis Bay is famous for, with water shallow and clear enough for small kids.
Hyams Beach·NSW
White Sands Walk
An easy coastal track between Greenfield Beach and Hyams Beach, through bush and out onto the sand.
Vincentia·NSW
Collingwood Beach cycleway
The shared path behind Collingwood Beach at Vincentia. The dog is welcome on a lead here, which the beach itself is not.
Vincentia·NSW
Nelsons Beach
The beach below Plantation Point at Vincentia, and one of only four around Jervis Bay where dogs are allowed off the lead.
Towns in Jervis Bay
Where to base yourself
Callala BeachThe quiet northern shore of Jervis Bay, with the view back across the water.
HuskissonThe town that runs Jervis Bay: cafes, cruises and a beach you can walk to.
Hyams BeachThe famous white sand, and the parking rules you need to know about.
VincentiaThe quiet side of Jervis Bay, with the shops and none of the queues.While you are down here