What Is Jervis Bay Popular For?

Jervis Bay is part of the Shoalhaven region, and the region has 3 sections: the top section from Currarong to Callala Beach, the middle section covers Myola to Hyams Beach, and the bottom section is the Boderee National Park. Getting to Jervis Bay is a two-hour drive to the south of Sydney or a three-hour drive east of Canberra

Jervis Bay is on the south coast of New South Wales in Australia, a popular spot for its white sandy beaches and clear waters that are picture-perfect. It is also known for the bioluminescence that occurs almost every year between May to August.

Is Jervis Bay Worth Visiting?

Jervis Bay is worth visiting for nature families and romantic getaways. While Jervis Bay is famous for its white sandy beaches, there are many things to do in the territory. The towns around the bay offer amenities and lodgings for travellers. Vincentia and HMAS Creswell are historical towns with colonial architecture.

The Jervis Bay Marine Park establishes sanctuary zones to protect its marine habitats, habitat protection zones that allow fishing and recreational boating, and a general-use zone that allows visitors to fish and sail with permits.

Here, you can hop on a dolphin cruise to see the native marine life any time to see bottlenose dolphins. If you are more adventurous, you can get up close by going for the boom netting experience in Huskisson.

Built-in 1899, Point Perpendicular Lighthouse is on the northern point of Jervis Bay, in Beecroft Peninsular. Because it is around 90m above sea level, the lighthouse and its surrounding areas are the perfect spot for whale watching if you prefer to stay on land.

From May to November, Humpback Whales and Southern Right Whales travel to Jervis Bay to breed.

The Booderee National Park is in the southern area of Jervis Bay, and it is the home of the Wreck Bay Koori Aboriginal Group. The National park is jointly managed by the traditional owners and Parks Australia.

In the park, there are over 460 rare native plants and trees, and many native animals and birds. The Cape St. George Lighthouse is the place to be to do whale watching if you are in the southern part of Jervis Bay.

And if you are really lucky, you might be able to witness some bioluminescence on the beaches of Jervis Bay! There are reports of these events around Barfleur Beach, Callala Bay and Plantation Point. Bioluminescence happens when the water in the seawater glows when disturbed because of algae bloom of plankton.

Do You Have To Pay To Go To Jervis Bay?

While you do not have to pay to go to Jervis Bay, there is an entry fee of $13 AUD to enter Booderee National Park for 2 days, as you can stay in the park. The entry fee is per vehicle. If you are hiking or entering with a bicycle, you do not need to pay the entry fee.

There will be extra based on the number of visitors in the group. An unpowered site for up to 5 people costs from $28 AUD to $46. The campsites are on a first come first serve basis.

The Paperbark Camp offers premium accommodation if you are up for glamping or have a stress-free stay. The campsite offers hiking trails nearby or walks to Huskisson town to enjoy local microbreweries and wander around the shops.

Jervis Bay National Park is free to enter, but it has no campsites and you have to stay elsewhere. Head to the Hidden Creek Campsite, which is a thirty-minute drive from the national park.

The campsite has camping sites from $40 AUD per night during the off-peak season, or $65 AUD per night during the peak season for unpowered sites.

A self-contained cabin with a bathroom for a family costs $135 AUD per night. The cabin offers a parking space for one vehicle and a BBQ area to cook your own meals. At the campsite, you can spot possums and bandicoots at night, or go bird spotting in the bush. The creek nearby is good for kayaking or fishing.

The Shoalhaven City Council also offers beach wheelchairs for hire. It is free to hire, but you have to sign a hire and indemnity form for the designated beach. The wheelchairs are only for use on the beach, at low tide or on the road. Head to the Shoalhaven City Council Website to learn more.

How Long Should I Stay in Jervis Bay?

You will need a minimum of two days if you are going for the whales and dolphins. However, if you plan to make your way through the Shoalhaven region and enjoy its award-winning microbreweries and local wildlife, you will need more time.

Spend a day snorkelling to look for endangered grey nurse sharks, or look for swamp wallabies that live around the area.

For the experienced hiker, explore the secret Gosangs Tunnel in Currarong. You enter through Abraham’s Bosom Reserve and take the Coomies Walk. There will be signposts along the way, pointing towards Mermaid Inlet and Gosangs Tunnel.

After that, you can reward yourself by taking a dip in the Currarong Rock Pools near Abraham Bosom Beach. Beecroft Peninsula and Currarong are mainly open on weekends, as it is a military training site.

Book the Jervis Bay Passage cruise to learn more about the history of the bay and see its beautiful beaches in one go. The Jervis Bay Passage will take you along the towering cliffs of Beecroft Peninsula and the ancient sea caves.

You get to see the Pancake Stack and the Jervis Bay Cliffs from an inflatable boat. The tour is $75 AUD per person and it takes around 2 hours to complete.

For drinks, head to the many microbreweries around Jervis Bay. The popular choices include Jervis Bay Brewing Co, Flaming Galah Brewing Co and Husky Brewing. To pair a good beer, you need a good wine. Two Figs and Mountain Ridge Wine offers premium wines paired with a beautiful view of Shoalhaven inland.

On the weekends, there are local markets that show off the local produce from farmers and makers. The markets open at different times of the month, so you will not miss out if you are only there for a day or two.

The markets offer handcrafted goods and local produce for you to take home as a souvenir.

For even more Things To Do and See In Jervis Bay click here to book local attractions.

Can You Swim In Jervis Bay?

Yes, you can swim in Jervis Bay. The bay is secluded by two points, and it provides a safe spot for families to swim in. Not all beaches are supervised, and because of their status as a marine park, there can be sharks in the water.

Smaller beach spots like Blenheim Beach are on the path of White Sands Walk, and it is small enough for children to swim around in calm clear water.

In Huskisson, the Moona Moona Creek is an inlet for children to swim in. There is also a reserve that has facilities such as toilets and a picnic area for families. You can check for the patrolled beaches around Jervis Bay by going to the beach safe website. It is important to swim between the flags, as rips can be dangerous if you are not careful.

Aside from swimming, there are a few spots for surfing. Caves Beach in Booderee National Park offers gentle waves for beginners. If you are confident, try Steamers Beach or Culburra Beach. For new snorkelers or children, Green Patch Beach is popular.

And it leads to Scottish Rocks and Murrays Beach for more snorkelling spots. If you do not have your own gear, you can hire a set for $30 AUD.

The best times for snorkelling and diving is usually during the winter months. Between May and August, the whales migrate to Jervis Bay for breeding and calving, and the cuttlefish will be seen more often as they find a mate. You can also find other special marine life like Weedy Sea Dragon and endangered turtles.

Why Is The Sand So White In Jervis Bay?

Hyams Beach is a popular beach known for its white sand, but why is it so white? The beach sand comprises quartz particles. The bright white sand is due to the lack of rivers flowing towards the sea, which can contaminate the sea with clay or other organic materials. Another element that provides a beautiful sandy white beach is sandstone.

Another reason the sand is so white in Jervis Bay is that the bay is protected partially from the outside elements. The bay is situated more inland, the coast forms a “C”, with Point Perpendicular in the north and Cape St George on the south forming two tips. It is the protection from strong winds and waves that keep the sands white.

Even though the major attraction for Jervis Bay is its beaches of pristine white sand, it is nature that keeps you there. In Jervis Bay territory, there are endangered wildlife and native floras that is worth coming here for. Here, you can go for a swim in the morning before heading inland for a hike.

You can visit any time of the year because there will be something different each season for you to explore.