Jervis Bay is a large, deep bay on the South Coast, about three hours by car from Sydney. Its beaches, above all Hyams Beach, are known for remarkably white sand and clear water, and a resident population of bottlenose dolphins lives in the bay. The southern headland is Booderee National Park, owned by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community and jointly managed with Parks Australia. This is Yuin Country.
The bay is the highlight of a wider coast: on the way from Sydney, the Grand Pacific Drive, Kiama and its blowhole and the village of Berry; south of the bay, Ulladulla and a long run of beaches and national parks. The Snowy Mountains are a long but scenic drive inland.
Highlights
- Hyams Beach: one of the whitest beaches in Australia.
- Dolphin cruises: from Huskisson, with whale watching in season.
- Booderee National Park: beaches, walks and botanic gardens on the southern headland.
- White Sands Walk: a beach-to-beach walk between Greenfield and Hyams.
- Kiama Blowhole: sea spray shooting from the rocks on the way down.
- Berry: a pretty village of cafés and bakeries.
Quick facts
| Where | South Coast, about 180 km south of Sydney |
|---|---|
| Main town | Huskisson |
| From Sydney | About 2 h 45 by car |
| Ideal stay | 2–3 nights |
| Best for | Beaches, dolphins, snorkelling, walks |
| Getting around | Car; public transport is very limited |
How long to stay & where to base yourself
Two or three nights gives you a dolphin cruise, a day in Booderee and time on the beaches, with Kiama and Berry on the way. Huskisson is the main base, with restaurants and cruise departures; Vincentia and Hyams Beach are quieter. Hyams has very little accommodation and gets extremely busy in summer.
