Jervis Bay with the Kids

The northern NSW coast is popular year round but next time you’re hitting the road, think about switching directions and heading south. Only 2.5-3 hours drive south of Sydney, Jervis Bay is a perfect place for a short getaway for couples or families.

With the deepest natural harbour in Australia, Jervis Bay is largely protected by a Marine Park. Dolphins can be found playing in the bay all year round and between June and November whale sightings are common during migration. Water based activities are a highlight, whether you just want to swim at one of the many beautiful beaches, snorkel or SCUBA dive in the crystal clear water, fish or kayak.

Huskisson and Vincentia are the main townships in the area – you’ll find plenty of cafes, supermarkets, and retail stores in both. These are perfect places to find fish and chips for a beach picnic. If you prefer a late afternoon ale, the beer garden at ‘The Huskisson’ is a wonderful place to relax. Known as “The Husky”, this waterfront heritage hotel is very popular with locals and tourists alike.

My favourite beach in this region is Hyams Beach. Tucked away at the southern end of the bay, Hyams Beach is famous for having some of the whitest sand in the world – make sure you wear your sunglasses, it’s quite dazzling! There are rock pools for children to explore at the northern end of the beach and good snorkelling on offer. We arrive early with our kids to secure a spot in the small car park, before walking up to the cosy Hyams Beach Store and Café for a delicious breakfast, followed by a day at the beach.

Continue south along the bay and you’ll come to Booderee National Park. Booderee is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘bay of plenty’ and the Booderee Botanic Gardens, owned by the local Aboriginal community, are a wonderful place to learn about traditional bush food and medicinal plants. There are plenty of short bushwalks in the national park. Save time to take a track to a secluded beach not accessible by car. The views from many of these walks are spectacular.

Self contained accommodation is a good option when travelling as a family; the ability to prepare meals for the kids whenever you need to can make time away much more relaxing. If you’re keen to try glamping, or want to book the whole family into a cabin, try out the Worrowing Jervis Bay Eco Resort.  A short drive away, on the shores of St Georges Basin, is Paradise Bungalow, a fully self–contained, air conditioned, three bedroom cottage.

Jervis Bay is a beautiful place to visit all year round. In the warmer months you can explore all the beautiful beaches and make the most of being in or on the water. In the cooler months you can rug up and go whale watching, bushwalk or curl up in a warm café and watch the world go by. Regardless of when you visit, I’m sure you’ll enjoy want to come back.

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Expedia compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site, such compensation may include travel and other costs.