One of the most popular coastal regions of NSW, Jervis Bay is located 200 km south of Sydney. A 3-hour drive along the Princes Highway takes you through the beautiful rolling landscapes of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven Regions
For early morning starters from Sydney, a detour through the Royal National Park along Helensburgh, Stanwell Park, and Thirroul is a great way to enjoy the amazing coastal towns with great beaches. The shortest route to Jervis is to follow the Princess Motorway from south of Sydney near Sutherland. This route bypasses the Royal National Park, and you can save over one hour of drive time.
Planning a road trip from Sydney to Jervis Bay, NSW
The driving distance from Sydney to Jervis Bay is 200 km and takes over 3 hours of drive time. The best time of the year to visit the Jervis Bay Area is between November and April (summer season). The Winter season is also a great time to explore the region as you can find plenty of cheap accommodation, and most locations are not packed with tourists.
Old Princess Highway meanders through the beautiful and isolated Royal National Park and connects Sydney with Wollongong—the coastal towns of Stanwell Park, Coal Cliff and Austinmer. Stop by the local cafes to enjoy a cup of coffee or light snacks. The Sea Cliff Bridge is a new addition to the area, offering breathtaking views of the blue ocean with a backdrop of cliffs at Bulli Pass.
Views from Bald Hill Lookout
Stanwell Park & Austinmer beaches are packed with people on a hot sunny day. These small coastal towns are popular with surfers and artists who enjoy the seclusion from the hustle and bustle of Sydney City. Stanwell Tops can be accessed from the Royal National Park or the Helensburgh exit from the Princes Highway. The former is the shorter and quicker way to reach Stanwell Tops.
Bald Hill Lookout commands amazing views of the coastline and is a popular spot with hang-gliders and paragliders. A Hindu temple is also an interesting place to visit in Helensburgh.
The Stanwell Tops lookout is a great stop for Instagram photos. The lookout commands amazing views of coastal towns along the Old Princes Highway. You can view the chimneys of Port Kembla in the Wollongong area.
Another interesting place is the Red Cedar Flats picnic area located near the Stanwell Tops. You can enjoy kayaking in the calm waters of Hacking River that run along the picnic area. This picnic area is located very close to Bald Hill Lookout.
Exploring the Beautiful city of Wollongong- 80 km from Sydney
Wollongong is a major city 80 km South of Sydney. Wollongong is accessible in a couple of different ways. You can either drive down Princess Highway 1 to the South Coast or take Old Princess Highway past Sutherland.
Old Princess Highway Passes through the National Forest merging with New Princess Highway near Thirroul (Bulli Pass). The Old Princess Highway is a country road that passes through historic towns and lazy laid-back beaches.
An alternative way from Western Sydney passes through Penrith, Campbelltown and turns south past Appin. From the Liverpool region, Heathcote Road is the best way to join Princess Highway near Bulli Pass.
Wollongong beaches and lighthouses attract large crowds over the weekends in summer. This area offers plenty of open spaces for picnics, cafes, restaurants, rock pools and clean beaches. Mount Kiera Lookout offers amazing views of the Shoalhaven region and Wollongong City.
Driving from Wollongong to Kiama Blowhole – 120 km from Sydney
Kiama blowhole is a natural wave-formed phenomenon that makes Kiama a popular attraction while driving along the South Coast. The blowhole is formed by waves crashing against the granite rocks. This blowhole gradually builds up with waves and throws out a large amount of water and foam in the air.
Kiama Blowhole is a popular landmark on the South Coast NSW
There is plenty of open picnic space in the waterfront area, and it is quite popular with weekend crowds.
Kiama Lighthouse near Kiama Blowhole
Stopping at the Historical Town of Berry, NSW on the drive from Sydney to Jervis Bay
Drive further south from Kiama to the historic town of Berry. Berry is a nice historic town with a very lively ambience. You can enjoy local horse-drawn cart rides and other farming attractions in the town. The architecture of the buildings in the city is quite old and captures the state and lifestyle of early settlers in this region.
Note: With recent road re-development the Princes Motorway bypasses the city of Berry. An exit from the freeway, however, connects you to the town of Berry which makes it an ideal stop for early morning brekkie or enjoying doughnuts and pies at the cafes in Berry. Berry retain its old-time charm with well maintained historical buildings including Berry Hotel which is the local watering hole.
Main Street of Berry, NSW
There are many nice cafes and restaurants along Princess Highway. The next stop on the way is Ulladulla, which is quite popular for fishing.
Accommodation can be hard to find at Jervis Bay as the spot is quite busy during summer. If you are planning to look for accommodation online better option is to find affordable accommodations in Ulladulla or Nowra. Some accommodation is available in the Huskisson area in Jervis Bay. Vicentia is the largest residential suburb in Jervis with several holiday homes along the waterfront.
Ozasiatraveller at Murray Beach in Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay Area – 200 km from Sydney
Quick Facts about Jervis Bay
Distance from Sydney: 200 km Total Covered Area: 100 sq. km
Popular Locations in Jervis Bay: Huskisson Beach, Vincentia, Hymns Beach, Murray Beach, Callala Bay Area, Sanctuary Point, Corramy State Recreational Area
Popular Activities: Walking Tracks in National Park, Water sports, Whale Watching Tours, Dolphin Watching Tours, Custom Sailing Tours
Popular For: Whitest sand in the world and Blue waters, Whale Watching & Dolphin Watching Tours
National Parks: Booderee National Park – NSW, Jervis Bay National Park
Jervis Bay area is quite stretched out and covers approximately 100 square km. To get to the beach location in Jervis, you will need to follow the Greenwell Point, which starts near the southern end of Nowra, NSW. There is a $10 entry fee for entry to the beaches. Camping grounds are available in the area.
The sand on some of the beaches is the whitest sand in the world. The area past Shoalhaven Heads is full of coastal water inlets and lakes. This area is ideal for watersports and fishing. Several fishing tournaments are held annually at several locations that attract fishing enthusiasts from around the world.
The most popular beaches in Jervis are Murray Beach and Hyams Beach, which are easily accessible by car. The Hyams Beach area has a residential population along the beach area, offering summer holiday homes. Murray Beach has a big car park. You will need to walk for 5 minutes to reach the beach area.
Cave Beach is one of the popular beaches in the Jervis Bay Area. The Cave Beach is quite a climb, and on a nice sunny day you might be lucky to see the migrating whales along the coastline.
Cave Beach is located at a distance of a 20-minute drive from Hymns Beach. If you are planning to camp, it is suggested booking a campground at Green Patch Campsite in Booderee National Park.
Camping in Jervis Bay, NSW
Jervis Bay is very popular with campers as there are several managed campsites. Private campgrounds are located in several private holiday parks, including Durras Lake North Holiday Park & Big 4 South Durras Holiday Park.
Campgrounds at Booderee National Park include Cave Beach and Green Patch Campgrounds. Click Here to book online to obtain a pass to stay at the campground. Make sure to book campgrounds and keep updated on COVID-19 restrictions.
As of late March, Booderee National Park is open for booking. The campsite fee is added to the park booking fee. You are required to keep the ticket on the dashboard if the vehicle is parked inside the park.
While staying at the Booderee National Park keep in mind the following things:
Make sure you book your Dolphin or Whale Watching tours online before arriving at Jervis Bay. The first tours leave around 10 am and the second tour leaves around 2 pm. Most tours are already booked on arrival. Therefore, book online in advance to get the best possible rates. Tours are 2+ hours long.
Klook.com
Huskisson is the most popular town for water sports and tours in the Jervis Bay Area. Many tour operators including Jervis Watch Cruises, have their booking offices on the main street of Huskisson. You can book various tours including:
The tours start at 10 am and take you around various locations in Jervis to see the resident whales and dolphins in the Jervis Bay Area. The operators provide you with interesting information about flora and fauna, and sea life in the Jervis Bay region. Light refreshments and a bar are available on most of the cruises.
Huskisson Jervis Bay
Where to Stay in the Jervis Bay Area?
Jervis Are is quite spread out and you can find quality accommodation and a large number of holiday homes, hotels and caravan parks along many beaches, including Callala Beach & Huskisson Beach. Several three to four-star caravan parks are popular with people travelling with families.
Popular options along Huskisson Beach include:
This location gets very busy over the school holidays and the summer period. Booking your accommodation before arriving is highly recommended.
What are some of the most popular activities at Jervis Bay?
Looking for the most popular activities in the Jervis Bay area? Being a coastal region surrounded by national parks, the Jervis Bay area is a great location for some outdoor activities, including:
- Camping at one of many beautiful campgrounds, including Bristol Point Camping Ground and Green Patch Camping Ground
- Bushwalking and Hiking at White Sands Beach and Murramong Aboriginal Walking track (2.2 km), Telegraph Creek Nature Trail & Mount Bushwalker Trail in Morton National Park
- Hire a boat at Sussex Inlet ( no licence required), fishing rods, a bike or a kayak
- Try to stand-up paddle (SUP) in the calm waters of Swan Lake
- Enjoy great food, including local oysters, at Culburra and Pumbulla
- Enjoy local produce at local markets and unique dining experiences at the wineries in the hinterland area and Kangaroo Valley
- Book a Jervis Bay Sightseeing Cruise Online
- Book Now Tree-top & Zipline Tour Online
- Book a Dolphin or Whale Watching Tour with one of the local operators at Huskisson Beach
Fishing Charters at Jervis Bay
Fishing is one of the most popular activities in the region, as the ocean and waterways offer great fishing opportunities with a large variety of local fish.
Some companies offer game fishing, bottom-bashing fishing, deep-dropping fishing and drone fishing along the coastline of Jervis, Ulladulla and Bateman’s Bay.
Unique dining and Camping experience at Jervis Bay NSW
Reserve a table at Gunyah at Paperbark to enjoy a unique dining experience in the village of Wollamia near Huskisson Beach. This amazing restaurant offers a unique dining experience for lunch or a romantic dinner with a 3-course meal.
The restaurant sources local produce to reflect the rich cultural mix of the region. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the Australian contemporary dining experience. If you are planning to travel with your pets, most beaches are Jervis at pet-friendly.
Interesting Walks in the Jervis Bay Area
For nature lovers, Jervis offers plenty of walking tracks of varying lengths and difficulty levels. The White Sands Walk begins at Vicentina Saily Club and ends at Hyams Beach. This 10-km-long easy walk takes you through unique coastal landscapes.
For more adventurous, a 20-km circuit through Booderee National Park is recommended. Follow the signs from Steamers Beach Car Park to explore some secluded beaches.
Tip: Make sure to follow the instructions for safety as shark sightings are occasionally reported at Steamers Beach. Kittys Beach and Whiting Beach are much safer options for a swim.
You need to have your own transport to explore these beaches as they are quite far apart from each other. There are a couple of nice spots, such as Murray Beach and Hyams Beach.
Tip: Make sure you are well equipped with your supplies for the Beach as under the sun it gets sweltering hot, and you will need to set up your beach canopies.
Note: Always carry adequate water and food on the walks and follow the marked tracks.
Here are some popular walks in the Jervis Bay Area :
CITIES OF ULLADULLA AND MOLLYMOOK IN NSW
Ulladulla is a major town in NSW offering quality accommodation and basic services. If you prefer to stay in more lively surroundings, Ulladulla is probably the best spot close to Jervis Bay where decent accommodation is available.
Besides, Ulladulla has several quality restaurants, cafes, gaming arcades and shopping malls. An information centre located on the Princess Highway is a great place to obtain useful information about the region and other places to explore on the south coast.
The information centres can provide you with guide maps and brochures with very handy information to make your trip more enjoyable.
Mollymook Beach Area near Ulladulla
Where to park in the Jervis Bay area when visiting the beaches?
There are secure parking lots available near the beaches, and you have to take walking tracks to get to Murray Beach. Hyams Beach is very close to residential streets and easily accessible from the streets.
At Murray Beach, the water flows in ripples, and as you step into the water, the sand is white water is clear and refreshing. You can sit in your beach floats and enjoy and nice cool beer while drifting over the water. You will spot occasional fishing boats and tour boats passing by you.
Another 200 km from Jervis takes you across beautiful Morton National Park. The drive is uphill, and you can see beautiful mountain ranges stretching westward. The region is very sparsely populated, and you come across lazy towns with buildings dating back to the 1880s.
Other interesting road trips were taken by Ozasiatraveller: Sydney to Bateman’s Bay and Canberra
Other interesting road trips in NSW, Australia
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