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About this place
About 2.5 hours south of Sydney, Jervis Bay is famous for three things: the whitest sand in Australia (Hyams Beach, technically a separate bay), resident dolphins you can swim with, and the only place in NSW where kangaroos regularly hop along the beach at dawn and dusk. Add Booderee National Park's white-sand beaches, the white-cliff Green Patch, and stunning bushwalks, and you have one of the most unique coastal experiences in Australia.
Highlights
Hyams Beach (whitest sand in Australia)
Swim with wild dolphins
Kangaroos on the beach at dawn
Booderee National Park bushwalks
Attractions
What to see, how long to spend, and roughly what it costs.
Hyams Beach sunrise
2 hrsFree
Often-cited as having the world's whitest sand — pack a thermos, walk at dawn, and watch the bay glass out. Calm for swimming at both ends.
Dolphin-watching cruise (Jervis Bay Wild)
2.5 hrs (incl. boarding)From $90 AUD (adult); children cheaper
2-hour eco-cruise from Huskisson with a 95%+ dolphin sighting rate year-round. Permits permit the boat to drift in close — pods often swim alongside for several minutes.
Booderee bushwalk + kangaroos at dawn
Half day~ $13 AUD per vehicle (check current pass)
Booderee National Park (entry ~$13 AUD/vehicle) at the right edge of the bay — white-sand beaches plus resident eastern-grey kangaroos on the lawn at Jervis Bay village at dawn.
How to get there
**By car:** Head south on the Princes Highway (M1) from Sydney, exit at the Jervis Bay turn-off just past Nowra. The drive to Huskisson takes about 2.5 hours without traffic. Add 30 minutes on a Friday afternoon in summer. Parking in Huskisson is paid ($5/hr) during peak season — the free lot is a 10-minute walk from the main beach. **By tour bus:** Several operators run day trips from Sydney ($99–$149 AUD return) — most include a dolphin cruise, Hyams Beach visit, and Booderee National Park entry. A good option if you don't want to drive, though you'll be on a schedule. **No train option:** There's no direct train to Jervis Bay. The closest station is Kiama (2 hrs from Central), then it's a 45-minute drive south. A car is really the best option to see the different beaches and Booderee anyway.
Best time to visit
**Summer (Dec–Feb):** Peak season — warm water (22–24°C), long daylight hours, and the best conditions for dolphin-swimming. The downside: crowds, higher prices, and holiday traffic on the Princes Highway. Book accommodation months ahead. **Autumn (Mar–May):** The sweet spot. The water is still warm from summer, the crowds thin out after Easter, and the kangaroos are more active on the beach at dawn. This is when locals say it's at its best. **Winter (Jun–Aug):** The quietest time. Too cold for extended swimming (14–16°C water), but the whale migration is spectacular — humpbacks pass close to shore Jun–Jul (north) and Sep–Oct (south). The kangaroos come out earlier and stay later. **Spring (Sep–Nov):** Warming up again. Dolphins are active, the wildflowers are out in Booderee, and the water becomes swimmable by November. Fewer crowds than summer but beautiful conditions.
Top things to do
1. Watch sunrise at Hyams Beach
The whitest sand in Australia (Guinness-certified) — get there at dawn with a thermos of coffee. The sand is pure white silica that stays cool underfoot even in summer. The bay glass-out conditions at sunrise are a photographer's dream.
2. Swim with wild dolphins
Jervis Bay is home to a resident pod of about 100 bottlenose dolphins. Dolphin Watch Cruises from Huskisson run 2-hour eco-certified tours with a 95%+ sighting rate. In-water swimming (wetsuit provided) is permitted with licensed operators.
3. Spot kangaroos on the beach at dawn
The only place in NSW where eastern grey kangaroos regularly hop along the beach. Head to the grassy verges at Jervis Bay Village or Green Patch in Booderee National Park just before sunrise. Keep your distance — they're wild, not zoo animals.
4. Explore Booderee National Park
Formerly a navy base, now one of NSW's most beautiful national parks — white-sand beaches (Green Patch, Cave Beach, Murray's Beach), Aboriginal rock art sites, and coastal walking trails. Entry is about $13 per vehicle. The botanical gardens are a hidden gem.
5. Walk the White Sands Walk
A 3km coastal trail connecting Huskisson to Hyams Beach through Scribbly Gum forest and coastal heathland. Gentle grade, suitable for all fitness levels. Keep an eye out for lyrebirds and wallabies.
6. Snorkel at Murrays Beach or Hole in the Wall
Protected coves inside Booderee with excellent visibility, weedy sea dragons, and colourful reef fish. Bring your own snorkel gear — no hire on-site. Best conditions are on calm, overcast days (less glare on the sand).
7. Oyster tasting at Greenwell Point
Just 15 minutes north of Jervis Bay, the Greenwell Point oyster farms sell freshly shucked Sydney Rock Oysters from the shed — $15–$20 AUD for a dozen. The Jim Wilds Oyster Service is the one to look for. Eat them on the waterfront picnic tables.
Pro tips
Book the dolphin cruise for the first morning slot
The 8:30am cruise has calmer water and more active dolphins than later runs. You also beat the sea breeze that picks up around 11am, which can make the bay choppy and spotting harder.
Pack mosquito repellent for dusk
The coastal bushland around Jervis Bay is prime mosquito territory at dawn and dusk. The repellent will also deter the March flies that come out on still summer days.
Get lunch supplies in Huskisson before 11am
The Huskisson General Store bakery sells out of pies and sausage rolls by midday on weekends. The IGA has basic supplies but limited deli options. Stock up on the way in at the Nowra supermarket.
Avoid school holidays if you can
Jervis Bay is a favourite for NSW families — school holiday periods (especially Easter and Christmas) double the crowd density. The difference between term-time and holiday is night and day.
Plan your trip
How many days do I need in Jervis Bay?
2–3 days (weekend works well)
When is the best time to visit Jervis Bay?
Sep–May (warm water for swimming); dawn/dusk for kangaroos year-round
How do I get to Jervis Bay from Sydney?
Drive via Princes Hwy south to Huskisson (2.5hrs). No direct train — car or tour bus only.
Getting there
Drive via Princes Hwy south to Huskisson (2.5hrs). No direct train — car or tour bus only.
Best time to visit
Sep–May (warm water for swimming); dawn/dusk for kangaroos year-round
Suggested stay
2–3 days (weekend works well)
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