Jervis Bay

With a plethora of white-sand beaches and crystal-clear water, nature lovers find themselves utterly mesmerised by the raw beauty of Jervis Bay. A little over 100 square kilometres in size, this natural harbour is a popular tourist hotspot — and for good reason. With astounding shades of azure water, a sunny day at many of the beaches here is quite a phenomenon. It’s the kind of atmosphere that melts away even the slightest concern, with nothing better to do here than enjoy one of the state’s most pristine seaside environments.

The bay is home to over one hundred bottlenose dolphins, which you’ll more than likely spot cruising along at some point during your stay. Humpback and southern right whales also use the harbour as a place of rest during the annual migration from Antarctica. They can be seen resting as they head to the warmer breeding grounds of the tropics from June to November. The mighty cliff faces at the harbour’s entrance are also worth seeing up close from a boat, so be sure to book a whale-watching tour if this is of interest and your timing aligns.

Jervis Bay is the kind of place you could spend anywhere from a few days to well over a week in, as there are so many secluded gems to uncover. In this guide, we’ll be focusing on the central and northern sections of the bay.

The southern section of Jervis Bay is a national park, Booderee National Park, run by the local Indigenous community. An annual New South Wales parks pass does not grant you access to this area, and you will need to purchase a separate day pass. Still, if you’d like to check out this popular section of the bay, you can find more information on camping and permits via the national park’s website here. Our picks for Booderee would be Green Patch Beach (and its excellent camping area) and the lovely Murrays Beach.

Having said that, the best things to see and do in Jervis Bay are free, which is just how we like it! The following list of must-see destinations will surely impress with its captivating scenery. Be sure to bring your hat and sunscreen, as the sublime offerings of this amazing pocket of paradise are best enjoyed on a bright sunny day.

Of all the beaches in Jervis Bay, Hyams Beach is easily the most popular — and most widely recognised. The sand of Hyams Beach is almost entirely made up of fine quartz with next to no shell matter, which has earned it the title of one of the whitest sand beaches in Australia. To be sure — it’s a sight to behold, with powdery-white sand stretching for over two kilometres. In fact, the sand is so soft that it squeaks beneath your feet, which will bring a smile to your face if you’ve never stepped foot on such a beach before.

While the beach is sheltered from the ocean, the odd wave still makes its way through the heads — which adds a little interest for all ages. Overall, this is a great family beach (as are all the beaches within the bay). Wading out into the water, you’ll be in your element as you savour the most dramatic colouration on a sunny day, with azure water shimmering off its white-sand base.

Note that on weekends and school holidays, Hyams Beach can get busy. Luckily, the beach is quite long, with most congregating at the northern end (near the carpark). Walk down the beach a little, and you’ll more than likely find a spot all to yourself. It’s a fantastic beach to take a leisurely stroll along, as you immerse yourself further into this stunning natural environment.

There are several beaches near Hyams Beach that are a must-see if you’re visiting Jervis Bay. They’re all worthy of your time as a destination in their own right, as each has its very own carpark and beach access. The good news is you can alternatively visit them all via the White Sands Walk — a jaw-dropping coastal trek like no other.

The walk starts at Plantation Point, which offers plenty of parking. Heading south, the trail varies from headland trail to beach and back into the bush of the next headland, giving the walk a good deal of variety. The walk ends at Hyams Beach, which makes for an excellent finalé.

As you round the first headland, Blenheim Beach is the first of a string of beaches you’ll come across. Blenheim is one of the more secluded beaches in the lineup of fantastic beaches along the White Sands Walk. Tip: Be sure to be wearing your swimmers, as the temptation to jump in will probably take hold.

As you walk along the coastal tracks, the slow reveal of azure waters through the gum trees is truly inspirational and one of the main reasons to do this walk.

There’s a detour from the main trail called the Scribbly Gum Track (so named for the scribbled patterns on its bark made by insects) that loops inland and back to the coast, adding approximately 500 metres to the journey. To be fair, you’ll discover just as many Scribbly Gums along the coast trail.

As you round the headland, the next destination continues to impress. Poking through the trees, the stunning colours of Greenfield Beach come into view. It’s an excellent beach and a destination in its own right. Greenfield comes equipped with a large grassy picnic area complete with gas barbeques and sheltered picnic tables.

Tip: For those with kids or who want a shorter option, starting from Greenfield to Hyams Beach and back again is a great alternative.

From Greenfields Beach, heading south once again will see you rounding the next bushy headland, with Chinamans Beach the next impressive sandy stretch in this A-list lineup. It’s quite a large beach and a pleasure to walk the breadth of — as you take in the sights and sounds of waves crashing and people enjoying themselves.

The final leg of the journey will once again head back into the bush before bringing you to Little Hyams Beach — a smaller patch of paradise separated from its big brother by a small headland. Once at Hyams, enjoying this magnificent beach is oh so easy — particularly on a bright, sunny day. Once you’ve taken in the best of it, returning the way you came isn’t a chore at all, as this is one heck of a walk.

If you’re keen to see more of the greater Jervis Bay region, there are plenty of secluded beaches to uncover. If we had to choose one area especially worthy of your time, it would be the lesser-visited northern side of Jervis Bay — a beautiful stretch known as the Beecroft Peninsula. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t mind a bushwalk to escape the crowds, then Target Beach is just for you. This hidden oasis is largely unknown to the general public and retains an untouched, pristine quality.

The walk starts at Honeymoon Bay — which is a sweet spot in itself and an excellent family-friendly inlet. There’s also a campground at Honeymoon Bay that could be a great place to base yourself for a day or two. Note: the military manages the Beecroft Peninsula, so there are a few restrictions you’ll need to be aware of; learn more here.

Well-known only to the locals, Target Beach is a great surfing spot as it harnesses the (at times) huge south-east swells of the open sea. It’s also highly scenic, with views taking in the mighty cliff faces of Jervis Bay’s heads. Capping off the remarkable view, Point Perpendicular lighthouse rests on the northern headland, far off in the distance.

On a calm day, with the sun directly overhead (as it is in the summertime), the bay lights up with the most intense cyan you’re likely to see. With the azure water extending out for approximately 100 metres from the shoreline, you’ll feel like you’re more in the Maldives rather than New South Wales. Coupled with the fact that there’s no one about to spoil the atmosphere, you’ll not forget this one in a hurry.

Should you have time and wish to explore the Beecroft Peninsula further, Long Beach, Point Perpendicular Lighthouse and Gosangs Tunnel are all worth a visit. The entire area is underrated, and as such, all the sights on the peninsula are pretty much crowd-free. There really is so much to do in Jervis Bay, once you know where all the secluded hotspots are. If you love nature at its very best, be sure to keep this magical area in mind.