For early morning starters from Sydney, a detour through the Royal National Park along Helensburgh, Stanwell Park and Thirroul is a great way to enjoy the amazing coastal towns with great beaches. The shortest route to Jervis is to follow Princess Motorway from south of Sydney near Sutherland. This route by-passes The Royal National Park and you can save over one hour of drive time.
Driving along Old Princes Highway from Sydney to Wollongong NSW
Old Princess Highway meanders through beautiful and isolated Royal National Park and connects Sydney with Wollongong. The coastal towns of Stanwell Park, Coal Cliff and Austinmeer. Stop by the local cafes to enjoy a cup of coffee or light snacks. The Sea Cliff Bridge is a new addition to the area offering breathtaking views of the blue ocean with a backdrop of steep cliffs at Bulli Pass.
Stanwell Park & Austinmer beaches are packed with people on a hot sunny day. These beaches are popular with surfers and artists who enjoy the seclusion from the hustle and bustle of Sydney City.
Stanwell Tops is famous for hang-gliding. On a clear day, you will not find plenty of paragliders and hang gliders flying near Austinmeer Beach. The gliders jump-off point is Stanwell Tops.
The Stanwell Tops lookout is a great stop for Instagram photos. The lookout commands amazing views of coastal towns along the Old Princes Highway. You can view the chimneys of Port Kembla in the Wollongong area.
Another interesting place is the Red Cedar Flats picnic area located near the Stanwell Tops. You can enjoy kayaking in the calm waters of Hacking River that run along the picnic area.
Check out my pictures for Royal National Park
Exploring the Beautiful city of Wollongong- 80 km from Sydney
Wollongong is a major city 80 km South of Sydney. Wollongong is accessible from a couple of different ways. You can either drive down Princess Highway 1 to South Coast or take Old Princess Highway past Sutherland. Old Princess Highway Passes through the National Forest merging with New Princess Highway near Thirroul (Bulli Pass). The Old Princess Highway is a country road that passes through the historic towns and lazy laid back beaches.
An alternative way from Western Sydney passes through Penrith, Campbelltown and turning south past Appin. From the Liverpool region, Heathcoate road is the best way to join Princess Highway near Bulli Pass.
Wollongong beaches and lighthouse attracts large crowds over the weekends in summers. This area offers plenty of open spaces for picnic, cafes, restaurants, rock pools and clean beaches. Mount Kiera Lookout offers amazing views of the Shoalhaven region and Wollongong City.
Driving from Wollongong to Kiama Blowhole - 120 km from Sydney
Kiama blowhole is a natural wave formed phenomena that makes Kiama popular attractions while driving along the South Coast. The blowhole is formed by waves crashing against the granite rocks. This blowhole gradually builds up with waves and throws out a large amount of water and foam in the air.
Kiama Blowhole is a popular landmark in South Coast
There is plenty of open picnic space in the waterfront area and is quite popular with weekend crowds.
Kiama Lighthouse near Kiama Blowhole
Historical Town of Berry NSW - 143 km from Sydney
Drive further south from Kiama takes you to the historic town of Berry. Berry is a nice historic town and has very lively ambience. You can enjoy local horse cart ride and other farming attractions in the town. The architecture of the building in the city is quite old and capture the state and lifestyle of early settlers in this region.
Interesting architecture of Berry NSW
Note: With recent road re-development the Princes Motorway bypasses the city of Berry. An exit from the freeway, however, connects you to the town of Berry which makes it an ideal stop for early morning brekkie or enjoying doughnuts and pies at the cafes in Berry. Berry retain its old-time charm with well maintained historical buildings including Berry Hotel which is the local watering hole.
Main Street of Berry NSW
There are many nice cafes and restaurants along the Princess Highway. The next stop on the way is Ulladulla and is quite popular for fishing.
Accommodation can be hard to find at Jervis Bay as the spot is quite busy during summers. If you are planning to look for accommodation online better option to find affordable accommodations in Ulladulla or Nowra. Some accommodation is available in the Huskisson area in Jervis Bay. Vicentia is the largest residential suburb in Jervis with a number of holiday homes along the waterfront.
Beautiful Murray Beach in Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay Area - 200 km from Sydney
Quick Facts about Jervis Bay
Distance from Sydney: 200 km
Total Covered Area: 100 sq. km
Popular Locations in Jervis Bay: Huskisson Beach, Vicentia, Hymns Beach Murray Beach, Callala Bay Area, Sanctuary Point, Corramy State Recreational Area
Popular Activities: Walking Tracks in National Park, Water sports, Whale Watching Tours, Dolphin Watching Tours, Custom Sailing Tours
Popular For: Whitest sand in the world and Blue waters, Whale Watching & Dolphin Watching Tours
National Parks: Booderee National Park - NSW Jervis Bay National Park
Jervis Bay area is quite stretched out and overs approximately 100 square km. In order to get to the beach location in Jervis, you will need to follow the Greenwell Point that starts near the southern end of Nowra NSW. There is a $10 entry fee for entry to the beaches. Camping grounds are available in the area.
The sand on some of the beaches is the whitest sand in the world. The area past Shoalhaven Heads is full of coastal water inlets and lakes. This area is ideal for watersports and fishing. Several fishing tournaments are held annually at a number of location that attracts fishing enthusiast from around the world.
The most popular beaches in Jervis are Murray Beach and Hyams Beach which are easily accessible by car. The Hyams beach area has some residential population along the beach area offering summer holiday homes. Murray beach has a big car park. You will need to walk for 5 minutes to reach the beach area.
Cave Beach is one of the popular beaches in the Jervis Area. The Cave beach is quite a climb and anon a nice sunny day you might be lucky to see the migrating whales along the coastline.
Cave beach is located at a distance of 20-minute driving from Hymns Beach. If you are planning to camp it suggested booking a campground at Green Patch Campsite in Booderee National Park. (Currently camping restrictions apply in Booderee Camping Ground due to COVID-19).
Huskisson NSW
Huskisson is the most popular town for water sports and tours in the Jervis Bay Area. A number of tour operators including Jervis Watch Cruises have their booking offices in the main street of Huskisson. You can book various tours including:
- Dolphin Watching Tours
- What Watching Tours
- Hidden Secrets ( secret hidden coves and beaches)
- Seals and Sea-cliffs
- Sailing Charters
The tours start from 10 am in the morning and takes you around various location in Jervis to sea the resident whales and dolphins in the Jervis Bay Area. The operators provide you with interesting information about flora and fauna and sea life in the Jervis Bay region. Light refreshment and bar is available on most of the cruises.
Huskisson Jervis Bay
Where to stay in Jervis Bay Area?
Jervis Are is quite spread out and you can find quality accommodation and a large number of holiday homes, hotels and caravan parks along many beaches including Callala Beach & Huskisson Beach. Several three to four-star caravan parks are popular with people travelling with families. Get Best advance booking rates with Hotels Combined Network .
Callala Beach a number of accommodation options including:
Popular options along Huskisson Beach include:
- Jervis Bay's Sea Change Apartment
- Bayswater Beachouse
- Aqua Leaf Jervis Bay Rental
This location gets very busy over the school holiday and summer period. Booking your accommodation before arriving is highly recommended.
What are some of the most popular activities are Jervis Bay?
Looking for the most popular activities in the Jervis Bay area? Being a coastal region surrounded by national parks, the Jervis Bay area is a great location for a number of outdoor activities including:
- Camping at one of many beautiful campgrounds including Bristol Point camping ground and Green Patch Camping Ground
- Bushwalking and Hiking at White Sands Beach and Murramong Aboriginal Walking track (2.2 km), Telegraph Creek Nature Trail & Mount Bushwalker Trail in Morton National Park
- Hire a boat at Sussex Inlet ( no licence required), fishing rods, a bike or a kayak
- Try to stand up paddle (SUP) in the calm waters of Swan Lake
- Enjoy great food including local oysters at Culburra and Pumbulla
- Enjoy local produce at local markets and unique dining experiences at the wineries in the hinterland area and Kangaroo valley
- Book a Jervis Bay Sightseeing Cruise Online
- Book Now Tree-top & Zipline Tour Online
- Book a Dolphin or Whale Watching Tours with one of the local operators Huskisson Beach
Unique dining and Camping experience at Jervis
Reserve a table at Gunyah at Paperbark to enjoy a unique dining experience in the village of Wollamia near Huskisson Beach. This amazing restaurant offers a unique dining experience for lunch or romantic dinner with 3-Course meal offers.
The restaurant source local produce to reflect the rich cultural mix of the region. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the Australian contemporary dining experience.
If you are planning to travel with your pets, most beaches are Jervis at Pet-Friendly.
Interesting Walks in the Jervis Area
For nature lovers, Jervis offers plenty of walking tracks of varying length and difficulty level. The White Sands Walk begins at Vicentina Saily Club and ends at Hyams Beach. This 10-km long easy walk takes you through unique coastal landscapes.
For more adventurous, a 20-km circuit through Booderee National Park is recommended. Follow the signs from Steamers Beach Car Park to explore some secluded beaches. Make sure to follow the instructions for safety as shark sightings are occasionally reported at Steamers Beach. Kittys Beach and Whiting Beach are much safer options for a swim.
You need to have your own transport to explore these beaches as they are quite far apart from each other. There are a couple of nice spots such as Murray Beach and Hyams Beach. Make sure you are well equipped with your supplies for the Beach as under the sun it gets sweltering hot, and you will need to set up your beach canopies.
Note: Always carry adequate water and food on the walks and follow the marked tracks.
Here are some popular walks :
- Steamers Beach to Brooks Lookout Walk: The total distance 1.5 km, easy walk
- Brooks Lookout to St Georges Head Walk: 4.9 km, 2.5 hours
- Blacks Waterhole to Steamers Beach car park Walk:3 km, 1.5 hours
- St Georges Head to Blacks Waterhole Walk: 4.1 km, 2 hours
Mollymook Beach Area near Ulladulla
There are secure parking lots available near the beaches and you have to take walking tracks to get to Murray Beach. Hyams beach is very close to residential streets and easily accessible from the streets.
At Murray beach, the water flows in ripples, and as you step into the water the sand is white water is clear and absolutely refreshing. You can site in your beach floats and enjoy and nice cool beer while drifting over the water. You will spot occasional fishing boats and tour boats pass by you.
Another 200 km from Jervis takes you across beautiful Morton national park. The drive is uphill and you can see beautiful mountain ranges stretching westward. The region is very scarcely populated and you come across lazy towns with building dating back to the 1880s.
Other interesting road trips
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