Four hours south of Sydney and it feels like you’ve driven off the edge of the known world into somewhere almost impossibly beautiful. Jervis Bay is the kind of place that makes you question every life decision that led you to spend your weekends anywhere else. White sand so bright it hurts your eyes, water so blue and clear it looks fake, woodland trails where echidnas and wallabies cross your path like it’s completely normal – because here, it is.
This is slow travel at its best. No rush, no agenda, just beaches and bush and good food and the particular happiness that comes from being somewhere genuinely spectacular.
Getting there
You’ll need a car – both to get there and to get around once you arrive. The drive from Sydney takes about four hours via the Princes Highway, and it’s a beautiful one. The highway hugs the coast for much of the journey south, with glimpses of the ocean between the eucalypts and some genuinely stunning scenery as you get closer to the South Coast. Put on a good playlist and enjoy it.
Once you’re there, having a car is essential. The beaches are spread across a wide area, Booderee National Park requires driving between different entry points, and the towns of Huskisson and Vincentia – where most of the food and drink action happens – are a few minutes apart. Don’t try to do this trip without wheels.
The beaches
Here’s the thing about Jervis Bay that’s hard to convey until you actually see it: there are 27 white sand beaches in the area. Twenty-seven. Each one more beautiful than the last, each one with water that is genuinely, absurdly turquoise.
Hyams Beach is the famous one – it’s listed in the Guinness World Records for having some of the whitest sand on earth – and it’s worth every bit of the hype. Get there early in the morning or on a weekday if you can, because in summer it gets busy and the car park fills up fast.
Beyond Hyams, the beaches keep coming. Greenfield Beach is popular for snorkelling and has lovely picnic areas. Murrays Beach, inside Booderee National Park, has calm, sheltered waters perfect for swimming. Honeymoon Bay is small and picturesque with great camping nearby. Chinamans Beach tends to be quieter than the main spots. Green Patch Beach has stunning white sand and is one of the most beautiful in the whole area.
The honest truth is you could spend a whole weekend just moving between beaches and it would be a perfect weekend.
Booderee National Park
Booderee means “bay of plenty” in the local Dhurga language, and it absolutely delivers on the name. This spectacular national park occupies the southern headland of Jervis Bay and is jointly managed by Parks Australia and the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community, who have cared for this land for tens of thousands of years.
Inside the park you’ll find towering sandstone coastal cliffs, rainforest, eucalyptus woodland, sweeping coastal heath and some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. The wildlife is extraordinary – sea eagles circle overhead, and the park is home to roughly 500 of Australia’s remaining 2,000 Eastern Bristlebirds.
You need a park pass to enter, which you can pre-purchase online before you go – worth doing to save time at the gate. The park is spread out so you’ll drive between the different walks and beaches rather than walking between them – grab a map at the entry gate or just use Google Maps to navigate between the trailheads. It’s very manageable once you’re in there.
If you want to camp inside the park there are campgrounds at Green Patch, Bristol Point and Cave Beach, all right on the beach. Cave Beach is a favourite for the resident wallabies that wander around the campground – and if you bring carrots they’ll eat right out of your hand. Genuinely one of the sweetest things you’ll experience anywhere. The campgrounds book out fast in peak season so plan ahead.
For walks, the Murrays Beach to Governors Head Lookout trail is a beautiful easy coastal stroll with sweeping views across the Jervis Bay entrance. The Cave Beach Loop takes you through coastal heathland to a secluded beach. The Steamers Beach walk is a longer option at about 11km return, rewarding you with pristine Whiting Beach and Kitty’s Beach. Bring water, start early and keep your eyes open for wildlife on every single trail.
Dolphin, whale and seal watching
Jervis Bay has one of the largest resident dolphin populations in Australia – bottlenose dolphins that live in the bay year round and frequently come right up to boats. Several operators run dolphin watching cruises out of Huskisson and sightings are pretty much guaranteed.
If you visit between May and November you’re in prime whale watching territory. Humpback and southern right whales migrate through Jervis Bay during this period on their annual journey between Antarctica and the warmer northern waters. Whale watching cruises run throughout the season and the sightings can be extraordinary – these are enormous animals in very close proximity to shore.
Australian fur seals also hang around the rocks off the southern headland year round. A good boat tour will cover all three.
Where to stay
There are hotels in the area but honestly Jervis Bay is one of those destinations that was made for Airbnb. Book a cute cottage or cabin in the bush or near the water in Huskisson, Vincentia or the surrounding areas – waking up in your own little hideaway surrounded by native bush or with a bay view before your morning coffee is exactly the right way to do Jervis Bay. It’s that kind of place.
If you want to camp, the Booderee National Park campgrounds are spectacular – beachside sites surrounded by native bushland. Book as early as possible, especially for summer and school holidays.
Food and coffee
Huskisson’s main street, Owen Street, is where most of the action is. For coffee and brunch, 5 Little Pigs is consistently loved by locals and visitors alike – great food, great coffee, and reliably busy on weekend mornings so get there early. Salty Joe’s is a brilliant all-day cafe and bar with a Southern California beach vibe, outstanding coffee and a fresh wholesome menu that works just as well for an afternoon wine as it does for breakfast. Harley’s at Husky is another favourite for breakfast and lunch with a nautical beach-chic atmosphere and really good coffee.
Jervis Bay Coffee Co on Owen Street is a must for serious coffee lovers – they roast their own beans on-site, the views over the bay are gorgeous, and they also run a fully licensed bar serving espresso martinis and cocktails. It somehow manages to be both a specialty coffee roastery and a great spot for an evening drink.
For something a bit more special, The Gunyah at Paperbark Camp is one of those genuinely extraordinary dining experiences. You eat among the eucalypts in an elevated restaurant, surrounded by native bushland, with a menu that changes with the seasons and draws on the incredible local produce of the South Coast. It’s romantic and wild and completely memorable.
In Vincentia, The Local is the go-to for breakfast and lunch – a newer venue with serious food credentials and a brilliant front of house team. Worth the short drive from Huskisson.
At Hyams Beach itself, the Hyams Beach Store and Cafe does exactly what you want it to – fresh, simple food right near the sand. Get the fish and chips or a coffee to go and eat on the beach 300 metres away.
Pubs, bars and breweries
The Huskisson Hotel, known universally as “the Husky”, is the undisputed heart of Jervis Bay’s social scene. Waterfront setting, outdoor terrace right on the bay, Jim Wild’s oysters at the bar, fish and chips in the bistro, live music and entertainment. It’s exactly the kind of pub you want at the end of a day on the beach.
For craft beer, Jervis Bay Brewing Co brews on-site in Huskisson and is a great afternoon stop with casual share plates, live music and a lively local atmosphere. They also do a pop-up at the Sailing Club in Vincentia with an amazing setup for live music and sunsets over the water – check their socials to see what’s on while you’re there.
Flamin’ Galah Brewing Co is another brilliant option with more than a dozen beers on tap at any time, its own hard sodas and vodka, cocktails, and The Nest food truck on-site doing handmade pizzas, crispy chicken bao and tacos. Grab a spot on the front lawn on a sunny afternoon and you won’t want to leave.
For something completely different, Old Salt Distillery in nearby South Nowra makes artisanal gins, vodkas and fruit liqueurs that win awards across the country. Drop in for a tasting if you’re driving past.
A few things worth knowing
Jervis Bay is busiest in summer and over school holidays – if you can go in the shoulder season (autumn or spring) you’ll have the beaches largely to yourself and the weather is still beautiful. Autumn is particularly lovely on the South Coast.
Book Hyams Beach parking ahead if you’re going in summer – the car park fills up very early and you’ll be disappointed if you arrive at 10am expecting a spot.
If you’re going into Booderee National Park, buy your park pass online before you go. It’s quick and saves time at the entry.
Jervis Bay is four hours from Sydney but feels about a million miles away from everything stressful. That’s the whole point. Go slow, spend too long at the beach, eat oysters, watch for whales, breathe. You’ll be back.
Best beaches:
Hyams Beach (whitest sand, arrive early)
Greenfield Beach (snorkelling, picnic areas)
Murrays Beach (calm, sheltered, Booderee NP)
Honeymoon Bay (small, beautiful, camping nearby)
Green Patch Beach (white sand, beautiful)
Cave Beach (wallabies you can hand feed, secluded)
Best cafes and brunch:
5 Little Pigs, Huskisson (locals favourite)
Salty Joe’s, Huskisson (all day, great vibe)
Harley’s at Husky, Huskisson (coffee and brunch)
Jervis Bay Coffee Co, Huskisson (specialty roastery and bar)
The Local, Vincentia (great food, worth the drive)
Hyams Beach Store and Cafe (fish and chips, eat on the beach)
Best restaurants:
The Gunyah at Paperbark Camp (dining among the eucalypts, special occasion)
Peter Eva Gusto Italiano, Huskisson (authentic Italian, wood-fired pizza)
Wildginger, Huskisson (vibrant Southeast Asian)
Sandbar Restaurant and Bar, Huskisson (waterfront, fresh local produce)
Best pubs and bars:
The Huskisson Hotel (waterfront, oysters, live music)
Jervis Bay Brewing Co, Huskisson (craft beer, live music)
Flamin’ Galah Brewing Co (beer garden, food trucks, great vibes)
Old Salt Distillery, South Nowra (award-winning gins and spirits)
Best things to do:
Dolphin watching cruise, Huskisson (year round)
Whale watching, Huskisson (May to November)
Booderee National Park (park pass required, book ahead)
Kayaking on the bay
Walk the Governors Head Lookout trail, Booderee NP
Steamers Beach walk, Booderee NP
Hand feed wallabies at Cave Beach campground (bring carrots!)
Frequently asked questions about Jervis Bay
How far is Jervis Bay from Sydney? Jervis Bay is about four hours drive from Sydney via the Princes Highway. You can’t get there by train so you’ll need a car – but the drive is genuinely beautiful, especially as you get closer to the South Coast and the scenery opens up.
Do you need a car at Jervis Bay? Yes absolutely – this is not a destination you can do without one. The beaches are spread across a wide area, the towns of Huskisson and Vincentia are a few minutes apart, and Booderee National Park requires driving between different entry points. Get a car, it’s worth it.
What is the best beach at Jervis Bay? Hyams Beach is the most famous – it’s in the Guinness World Records for having some of the whitest sand on earth and the water is an insane shade of turquoise. But honestly with 27 white sand beaches in the area you really can’t go wrong. Murrays Beach, Green Patch and Cave Beach inside Booderee National Park are all stunning and often quieter.
When is the best time to visit Jervis Bay? Any time of year is good but the shoulder seasons of autumn and spring are arguably the best – beautiful weather, fewer crowds and the beaches are much more relaxed. Summer is gorgeous but Hyams Beach in particular gets very busy and the car park fills up fast. If you go in summer, arrive early.
When can you see whales at Jervis Bay? Humpback and southern right whales migrate through Jervis Bay between May and November on their journey between Antarctica and warmer northern waters. Several operators run whale watching cruises out of Huskisson during this period and sightings can be extraordinary.
Can you see dolphins at Jervis Bay? Yes – Jervis Bay has one of the largest resident bottlenose dolphin populations in Australia. They live in the bay year round and frequently come right up to boats. Dolphin watching cruises run all year and sightings are pretty much guaranteed.
Do you need a park pass for Booderee National Park? Yes you need a park pass to enter Booderee National Park. You can pre-purchase online before you go which saves time at the gate. The park is spread out so you’ll drive between the different beaches and trailheads – grab a map at the entry or use Google Maps to navigate.
Can you feed the wallabies at Jervis Bay? The wallabies at Cave Beach campground inside Booderee National Park are famous for being incredibly friendly. Bring carrots and they’ll eat right out of your hand – it’s one of the sweetest experiences you’ll have anywhere in NSW.
Is Jervis Bay good for snorkelling? Yes – the water clarity at Jervis Bay is exceptional and Greenfield Beach in particular is popular for snorkelling. The bay is also great for kayaking with the calm, sheltered waters perfect for paddling close to shore.
Where should I stay at Jervis Bay? Jervis Bay is a perfect Airbnb destination – book a cute cottage or cabin in Huskisson, Vincentia or the surrounding bush for the full experience. Waking up surrounded by native bush or with a bay view before your morning coffee is exactly the right way to do Jervis Bay. If you want to camp, the Booderee National Park campgrounds are spectacular but book well ahead, especially in peak season.
Is Jervis Bay suitable for kids? Absolutely – the calm sheltered beaches like Murrays Beach and Honeymoon Bay are perfect for families with young kids. The wildlife experiences like hand feeding wallabies are a massive hit and the dolphin watching cruises are great for all ages.