UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2024! Jervis Bay was one of the first destinations on my road trip after I left Sydney. While I was heading north up the East Coast of Australia, a friend recommended that I spend some time in Jervis Bay while the weather was still good. One quick Google search was enough to convince me I needed to go – it’s one of the most spectacular places in New South Wales! I returned for a few days just before finishing my Lap of Australia back in Sydney. It’s such a special place to me. Here’s my top picks on what to see and do in Jervis Bay.

Catch the Sunset at Hyam’s Beach

Jervis Bay is full of magnificent beaches, but Hyam’s Beach has to be one of the best. And it’s absolutely perfect for watching the sunset. If you’re visiting Jervis Bay, you need to watch at least one sunset here! I will never forget how happy and grateful I was in this moment.

Do the White Sands Walk

This is one of the best hikes to do in Jervis Bay. It’s called the White Sands Walk for a reason – starting at Greenfield Beach, you head down the beautiful white sand beaches of Chinaman’s Beach and Hyam’s Beach. The walk is about 2.5km one-way. You can even start at Nelson’s Beach to extend the hike and see those beaches, too.

Spot Dolphins on a Cruise

Jervis Bay is one of the best places to see dolphins in New South Wales – maybe even all of Australia?! Because of the protection from the bay, dolphin pods love the waters here. I went on a 1.5-hour cruise with Jervis Bay Wild. While the boat trip was great to get to see Jervis Bay from the water, the real highlight was seeing dolphins!! We also saw seals, which was really exciting. I really recommend this if you’re visiting the area. You can book the exact dolphin cruise I did below.

Explore Booderee National Park

Booderee National Park is one of the top reasons to visit Jervis Bay. There is so much to see in this area! I’d recommend a full day here to really make the most. There is a park admission fee of $20 per vehicle for a one-day pass to visit the national park.

Green Patch Beach

This is a beautiful white sand beach. It’s also where I saw kangaroos (in the wild) for the first time ever! If you’re staying at the campsite here, you’ll love how easy it is to get to the beach.

Scottish Rocks

You’ll want to see these cool rock formations on the pretty beach. While it was a bit cloudy when I was there, the water was super clear and the beach is great for a picnic! There is an area for parking at the road, and it’s a short walk down to the rocks.

Hole in the Wall

This aptly named hole in a rock wall is one of the most iconic sights in Booderee National Park and Jervis Bay. The top bit has now collapsed, so it’s just a large U shape. It’s perfect for catching the sunrise, if you can face the early alarm!

Murray’s Beach

This was my favorite beach in Jervis Bay. It’s a short walk from the parking to get to the beach, but it’s definitely worth it. I also did the walk out to see Governor Head Lookout and the view to Bowen Island. The long white sand beach has amazing views over to the rest of the bay. I spent a glorious few hours swimming and sunbathing here. Don’t miss it!

Cape St. George Lighthouse

This lighthouse is just ruins now. But there are fantastic views out over the coast from here, on both sides. It was also interesting to learn more about the history of the area – the lighthouse was built in 1860. There is also information about unfortunate accidents and weird deaths in the area in the late 1800s. On a lighter note, Cape St. George Lighthouse is also meant to be a top spot for whale watching!

Cave Beach

This beach is another of Jervis Bay’s gorgeous white sand beaches. Cave Beach is dominated by cliffs (with caves!) on one end. It’s a short walk from the parking to get to the beach. I also saw loads of kangaroos here!

Booderee Botanic Gardens

These are the only Aboriginal-owned botanic gardens in Australia, and are a nice place for a stroll or a picnic in Booderee National Park. There are a number of short trails through the gardens and around the lake to explore. It was very quiet when I was there (only two other cars in the car park!), so it’s a great choice to escape the crowds.

Relax in Huskisson

Huskisson is one of the main towns in Jervis Bay – you’ll probably be coming through here, at least for food and drinks or to visit the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum. Check out Jervis Bay Brewing Co. if you’re after some craft beer. Other restaurants that were recommended to me were Stonegrill for steak and Wild Ginger for Thai/Asian fusion.

Discover Beecroft Peninsula

This is another fantastic part of Jervis Bay, and one that doesn’t see quite as many tourists. I definitely recommend driving out this way to check out this area!

Point Perpendicular Lighthouse

This is in the Department of Defence’s Beecroft Weapons Range, so the area may be closed for naval trainings at times. Access is through a manned gate where you’ll need to provide identification. The road to get to the lighthouse was really awful; it’s doable in 2WD, but there are so many potholes you’ll need to go really slow. But I loved seeing the view from the lighthouse, which dates to 1897. You can also do a walk to see Outer Tubes here – this is a top fishing spot.

Honeymoon Bay

This crescent-shaped, secluded bay is a top spot to see in Jervis Bay. When I got here, there were only a handful of other people here – it was so pretty and peaceful! This is off the same road to the lighthouse, which again is in a military reserve.

Gosangs Tunnel

Unfortunately, this hike was closed when I visited – both times, so I never got to do it. But I would have loved to do this walk! Start from Abraham’s Bosom Beach – the walk is about 5km in total, there and back. You also pass Mermaid Inlet on the walk. The tunnel and the views look so cool!

Planning Your Trip to Jervis Bay

You’ll definitely want to have your own vehicle to visit Jervis Bay – a lot of these places aren’t accessible by public transport. It’s possible to visit as a daytrip from Sydney, but it’s a very long day. I recommend staying overnight (or even better, for two or three nights!) to really make the most of your time in Jervis Bay. These are two popular daytrip options to Jervis Bay from Sydney:

The nearest airport is Wollongong, although Sydney is the closest major airport. I use Skyscanner to book flights. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. If you’re looking for more tours and activities in Jervis Bay, check out the options below!

 

Where to Stay in Jervis Bay

There are no free camps in Jervis Bay, and there is absolutely no sleeping in vehicles allowed in the area. There are signs stating this everywhere, including that authorities may fine on the spot.

I stayed at Green Patch Campsite in Booderee National Park. While the campsite was nice, with excellent hot water in the showers and a great location close to the beach, I did find it expensive for one person. On my first visit I paid $37 for one adult in a vehicle at an unpowered site, plus $13 for the park pass. On my second visit, I paid $28 for one adult at an unpowered site, and my park pass was included in the camping rate. I think including the park pass makes it a much more reasonable rate!

Jervis Bay Holiday Park has powered and unpowered sites, just outside Huskisson. Rates start at $40/night for an unpowered site. I’d recommend it for budget travelers looking for a less expensive choice than the Booderee National Park campgrounds.

If you’re wanting another budget-friendly camping option, I stayed at Berry Showground on the way out of Jervis Bay on my first visit. This was a fantastic campsite, only $15 per night (unpowered), with great hot showers. Since I stayed here, prices have increased to $23 per night for a small unpowered site. It’s about a 40-minute drive from Huskisson. If you’re arriving or leaving Jervis Bay (or just don’t mind a bit of a drive), I recommend staying here.

There are plenty of options around Jervis Bay if you’re not wanting to camp. Unfortunately, there are no hostels. The best-rated budget accommodation is Jervis Bay Motel. For a bit more of a splurge, I love the look of Edgewater Bed and Breakfast or Wildwood. You can search for other accommodation in Jervis Bay here, or using the map below!

Booking.com

Jervis Bay was a truly wonderful destination. It’ll always be special to me as it was the very beginning (and end) of my adventure Down Under. But the natural beauty here is so memorable on its own. If you’re planning a road trip on the southern coast of New South Wales, you can’t skip Jervis Bay!

Have you visited Jervis Bay? What were your favorite spots in the area?

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