Spending a day in and around Jervis bay is a great day trip for guests staying at Bangalay no matter what the weather is like
ABOUT JERVIS BAY
You can pretty much segment Jervis Bay into three sections, the northern part, “Beecroft Peninsula” includes the towns of Culburra, Callala Bay and Currarong, which is also the place where you can do the Commies Walk (a Bangalay Team favourite) or access the “Beecroft Weapons Range” which is managed by the Navy but home to some of the most incredible beaches and perfect picnic spots, Honeymoon Bay is always a favourite (pictured). Just note that there are no shops beyond Currarong and that the facilities are limited to porta-loos and there is little access to running water once you enter the weapons range, it can be closed when the Navy are doing exercises, we recommend checking their Facebook page. Culburra and Calalla are lovely towns with numerous beach choices, they have some local cafes and eateries, we recommend taking a picnic and heading straight to the beach.
The middle or main commercial hubs include Huskisson and Vincentia, Huskisson is the main tourist hub with wharf access for the Dolphin and Whale Watch tours which we highly recommend along with Dive Jervis Bay. Food options in the heart of Huskisson include the Husky Pub and a number of fish and chip takeaways and cafes (5 Little Pigs is a local favourite). Vincentia’s commercial hub mainly services locals but is handy for supplies if you’re looking to do a beach picnic. We highly recommend Jervis Bay Brewing, located in the Wollamia Industrial area, which is open Wednesday – Sunday and has a permanent food truck. The Jervis Maritime Museum is open 7 days and well worth a visit, the mangrove boardwalk is a highlight. There is a 6km shared path between Huskisson and Vincentia which is a very easy walk.
The Southern part of Jervis bay includes Booderee National Park and is classified as part of the ACT, National Park entry fees apply. Green Patch and Murrays Beach are favourites, the Booderee Botanic Gardens are the only Aboriginal-owned botanic gardens in Australia and worth a visit. A favourite beach of the Bangalay Team is Cave Beach.
OUR PERFECT SOFT ADVENTURE
Set out from Bangalay with a picnic hamper and head for Currarong. Coomies Walk with the Gosangs tunnel will offer you an incredible view north back towards Shoalhaven Heads, Seven Mile Beach and Cullunghutti Mountain. Then head into the Beecroft Weapon range, all the way to the lighthouse and take in the incredible views across Jervis Bay (keep and eye out for rock climbers scaling the cliff edges). Back track to Honeymoon Bay and set up a picnic and maybe even do some snorkelling. Head back to Bangalay calling into Greenwell Point and Jim Wild Oysters for one of the South Coasts most authentic seafood experiences followed by Two Figs Winery which has one of the best views of all the wineries in the region and would be a lovely place for a glass of afternoon rose.
JERVIS BAY IN THE COOLER MONTHS
Whale watching is one of the best winter activities in Jervis Bay, tours operate daily departing from Huskisson. An absolute bucket list activity is swimming with the Humpack Whales, or if you’re not that brave the local seal colony which is so much fun, Woebegong Free Dive host tours departing from the Wollomia boat ramp. The great thing about Jervis Bay is that there are so many beaches to choose from there will always be one to choose from that will be protected from the wind. The Jervis Maritime Museum is open 7 days and well worth a visit, the mangrove boardwalk is a highlight. The Booderee Botanic Garden inside the Boorderee National Park is the only Aboriginal-owned botanic gardens in Australia and worth a visit. A Brewery hop between Jervis Bay Brewing and Flaming Galah Brewing is a great way to round out a cooler day, they both have firepits, baskets of blankets and are very kid friendly.
INSTAGRAMABLE PLACES IN JERVIS BAY
Gosangs Tunnel – Gosangs tunnel is part of the Commies walk, you have to crouch down and shuffle your way through a 10 meter tunnel before coming to a sheer cliff edge (not great if you’re afraid of heights!)
Honeymoon Bay – the turquoise water of this beautiful bay would be had to get a bad photo of!
Cave Beach – mossy cool caves on the south western end on this pristine white sand beach – you can regularly be the only person there to enjoy it
The Jervis Bay Maritime Museum Mangrove Boardwalk – the timber boardwalk extends from the grounds of the museum through a thriving mangrove habitat to Currumbene Creek. At low tide the mud flats will be teeming with iridescent orange and purple solider crabs.
Moona Moona Creek Bridge – at any time of the year you will see loads of locals jumping off this bridge into the clear aqua gum tree tined creek
Myola sand spit – accessible via the Huskisson Ferry, this white stretch of sand wrapping from Currumbene creek to Myola is a beautiful picnic spot
Diving with Humpback Whales – offered by both local dive operators Woebegong Freedive and Dive Jervis Bay
JERVIS BAY ‘ON’ OR ‘IN’ THE WATER
There is no doubt that being ‘on’ or ‘in’ the bay is one of the best ways to enjoy it.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Kayak Hire offer lessons, sunset and nighttime tours along with snorkel hire.
Jervis Bay Wild offer whale and dolphin watching cruises and summer boom netting, we recommend the Jervis Bay passage tour which takes in the towering cliffs of Point Perpendicular
Jervis Bay Sailing Charters offer morning, half day, full day and sunset charters.
Woebegone Free Dive, Owners Dylan and Lara Boag are committed to ensuring the long term conservation of Jervis Bay, they offer a range of snorkelling tours and educational courses. Their tours depart from the Wollamia Boat ramp.
Dive Jervis Bay – the longest established dive operator in Jervis Bay offers a range of Scuba diving and snorkelling tours and educational courses. They have a retail shop front in Huskisson where snorkelling and scuba equipment can be purchased
Staff tips for best snorkelling in Jervis Bay – Honeymoon Bay and Long Beach