Sydney Travel - Jervis Bay's Best Beaches

Pick a stretch of sunny days, hop into a car and seek out a piece of pristine paradise. Indeed, unless you simply want to be seen, there is much more to Sydney’s beaches than the infamous Bondi with its bodies, pubs and restaurants. Jervis Bay, three hours drive south of Sydney offers up a string of spectacular and uncrowded beaches. It is an idyllic getaway for some serious peace and relaxation (surfers or party people may be well advised to go elsewhere).

The region includes Jervis Bay National Park and Booderee National Park. These protected parks have several beaches where camping and caravan parks are not allowed, making it highly probable you will find yourself on completely deserted stretches. You can involve yourself in exploring the flora and fauna of the parks with its plentiful birdlife and may even be treated to the occasional wild kangaroos and wombats wandering onto the beaches.

With no murky rivers running into the Jervis Bay waters, they have a clarity that provides for fantastic snorkeling. With the Jervis Bay Marine Park, diving for beginners to the experienced is definitely on the cards with the abundant marine life, unique rock formations and even old sunken wrecks. Kayaking around Jervis Bay is a worthy consideration and is one of the best ways to truly soak up this untouched nature wonderland. Sign up for a dolphin or whale-watching cruise (although it is possible to simply spot them frolicking off the beach), try a canoe safari, hike, fish, dive or sail, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Moonee Moonee Creek

Located around Vincentia, this lovely enclosed lagoon tends to have perfectly clear waters and being well protected, it is as calm as they get, making it the ideal spot for families with young kids.

Chinamans Beach and Hyams Beach

From Vincentia, take the easy White Sands Walk through the bush and in about 20 minutes, you’ll come across the sugar-white expanse of Chinamans Beach. Proceeding a little onwards, is the best-known Hyams Beach. With all orders of beaches in the world being touted as “pure” and “pristine”, it is easy to be skeptical of Hyams’ reputation as the “whitest beach in the world” (this title was awarded by the Guinness Book of Records). Whether or not it is the absolute whitest, visiting this beach is thoroughly rewarding. The sparkling sands feel delightful between your toes and contrasts with the clear, turquoise waters which remain shallow for a good distance.

Murrays Beach

Murrays Beach also has Hyams-like white sands and being sheltered by Bowen Island, allows for a safe and relaxing swim. It is within the Booderee National Park and the prohibition of spearfishing here enhances the snorkeling experience with an abundance of unafraid marine life.

Cave Beach and Bherwerre Beach

For more waves, try Cave Beach and Bherwerre Beach for a chance of surfing. Located within the Booderee National Park these beaches can be even more peaceful, often allowing you to find yourself in complete solitude. As a treat for experienced divers, the Bherwerre peninsula also has some fascinating swim-through caves and rock formations.

Steamers Beach

Requiring a 3km easy hike through the national park to get there, this remote beach between two cliffs is a favourite amongst Jervis Bay locals.

Whichever beaches or activities you choose, if you ever find yourself in Sydney with a need to explore, this is one trip to get away from it all.

Best time to go:

December – March, July – October for migrating whales. Preferably avoid going directly after a storm as it may cause larger sea swells and wash up unsightly kelp onto the shores.

How to get there:

Driving out from Sydney, take the Princes Highway and travel 2.5 hours south to the town of Nowra. Just south of this town, take a left turn onto Jervis Bay Road which will lead you past Huskisson onwards to Jervis Bay.

Where to stay:

Seek out lodging in Vincentia or Sanctuary Point over the busier main town Huskisson.