Discover Jervis Bay & Shoalhaven

By Sarah Fazendin @aweekatthebeach

Jervis Bay and the Shoalhaven region is a coastal area that lies in the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia.

It's made up of a number of charming coastal towns and suburbs. Jervis Bay, on the other hand, is the stunning oceanic bay and village that lies to the east of the Shoalhaven area. It's also known for having the world's whitest sand. Jervis Bay and Shoalhaven are full of never-ending treasures, and are only a two-hour drive south of Sydney.

Here are the best ways to discover Jervis Bay & Shoalhaven:

Visit the Beaches

Hyams Beach is the most well-known of beaches in the Jervis Bay and Shoalhaven area. It's easy to see why since it's one of the most picturesque beaches in NSW. You'll find that Jervis Bay really does live up to its reputation for having the whitest sand.

There are other similar beaches just as amazing as Hyams Beach, too. You'll be just as please with beaches like Greenfields Beach and Murrays Beach. These hotspots in the Australian sun are great for relaxing or hitting up some water activities.

Try the Water Activities

One of the more popular water activities for people visiting the area is snorkeling and scuba diving. Jervis Bay and Shoalhaven are home to sites like the southern reef at Mollymook, the Labyrinths, Gorgonian Wall, the submerged Fairey Firefly aeroplane and Point Perpendicular. Here in the South Coast, the Jervis Bay Marine Park has calm waters and white sand along with its marine life to keep you amazed.

Boating and fishing in Jervis Bay and Shoalhaven provides some of the best experiences and there are many ways to enjoy those tranquil waterways. You could hop on a whale watching tour, hire your own boat for a day's worth of fishing or a private sailing charter, or even go kayaking along the beaches.

Surfing in Jervis Bay is also very popular, with surf hotspots including Bawley Point and Culburra Beach, Warrain Beach and Mollymook Beach.

Find Accommodations

Jervis Bay accommodation is quite easily accessible as almost all of the attractions in the area are within short distances of each other and there are many small towns to explore.

When staying in the Jervis Bay and Shoalhaven region, it is best to choose a centralized location so that you can explore other places nearby. I'd recommend the Minnamurra River, Lake Illawarra, Minnamurra Forest, Bombo Quarry etc. From beachfront homes, bed and breakfasts, motels, inns to even coastal camping, there is plenty to choose from.

In the Shoalhaven region, coastal camping amidst the shoreline of the South Coast is a great way to enjoy the natural environment. Camping out close to places like Bristol Point's beach, Cave Beach and Green Patch is ideal, as you can easily enjoy the sunrise or sunset without travelling far.

Take a Tour

There are plenty of tours available in the area catering to people of all ages with a large variety of things to do. Ecotourism is a growing industry in Jervis Bay, with tours available for sightseeing cruises that allow you to explore the sandstone cliffs, sea caves and coastal surroundings. You can go on bush tours, take surfing and wakeboarding lessons, visit local wineries and gourmet food producers, and even go whale & dolphin watching in the bay.

Have you been to Shoalhaven or Jervis Bay? What are some of your favorite things to do there? Tell us in the comments!


About the Author:
Alex Johnson is a 23-year-old Aussie with a passion for making every day better than the one before. Read more on his blog here.

About A Week at the Beach

Travel blog sharing tips and stories from around the world.