Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay is the deepest natural harbor in Australia opening (16 kms by 10 kms), eastwards onto the Pacific Ocean,

It is found 20 kms south of the township of Nowra (180 kames south-east of Sydney). No major rivers flow into the bay so the water is wonderfully clear (Jervis Bay is noted for its water clarity).

There is no heavy industry, only urban development, and the deep water is flanked by huge perpendicular cliffs.

In 1915 the Commonwealth acquired the land and sea that forms the Jervis Bay Territory on the southern shores of the Bay from NSW. In that same year the Royal Australian Naval College – HMAS Cresswell commenced training.

The area is said to be of great spiritual significance to the south coast aboriginal tribes with the presence of extensive shell middens, evidence that these original people lived a high quality of life.

In 2002 the new Zoning Plan for the Jervis Bay Marine Park commenced with 20% of Jervis Bay and surrounding waters protected in a no-take ‘Sanctuary Zone’.

Target Beach is reached by a 2 kilometre bushwalk from the Honeymoon Bay camping area. The beach can have rips and sandbars that make it unsafe for swimming. At low tide the rock platform allows access to good fishing areas farther east in the Beecroft Peninsula National Park. No amenities.

Silica Cove a small steep facing beach, 2 kilometres from Honeymoon Bay camping ground in the Beecroft Peninsular National Park. Enclosed by Longnose Point, with its ship wreck, and Dart Point the beach is relatively safe for swimming. Good fishing nearby. No amenities.

Honeymoon Bay a small west facing beach in the National Park, enclosed by rock ledges with protected waters that are ideal for children and snorkelers. The honeymoon bay camping ground is located nearby. Limited amenities.

Bindjine Beach Good walking beach located at the northern end of honeymoon bay camping ground. A natural rock platform forms part of a natural boat ramp into the bay. Behind the wharf at the northern end of the beach is a private area used by the Jerrinja Aboriginal Community for traditional teaching and practices. Limited amenities,

Long Beach has 2 carparks, north and south, the southern park has a boat ramp. A long narrow beach perfect for swimming, snorkeling and enjoying the solitude of the National Park.

Cabbage Tree Point a 500 metre raised platform through thick heath takes you from the carpark to this remote National Park beach. Bordered by wave cut platforms with views to Bowen Island the beach is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. No shell collecting is allowed. No amenities.

Callala Bay the gateway to the white sand beach that runs for several kilometres around Hare Bay the northernmost part of Jervis Bay. A good beach for long walks to admire the natural beauty of the Jervis Bay National Park. Callala Bay with its calm protected waters behind Callala Point is also home to the Jervis bay cruising yacht club.

Callala Beach a long white sand beach facing south-easterly and ending at the mouth of the Currambene Creek. Great for families, the beach has a very gentle gradient into the bay. Most of the beach to the north is flanked by council park and the southern section backs onto thick bushland.

Shark Net Beach a few steps from the large Huskisson Beach is a small well located beach no more then a few hundred metre wide. Rock platforms either end make it a good beach for children - especially with large play areas, tables and free electric barbeques nearby in the park.

Huskisson Beach flanked by a resort and tourist park is a family friendly beach that ends in the rocky outcrop at Tapalla Point. A regular swimming spot for campers and proximity to the Huskisson town centre means it is not as secluded as other beaches in the area. The mouth of Moona Moona Creek, to the south, has created a series of shifting sandbars and shallows before it reaches Jervis Bay that make the area a childs water playground. The large park above the beach has children’s play equipment and good amenities.

Collingwood Beach is the defining beach for the township of Vincentia as almost the entire length is overlooked by beachfront reserve homes, separated by a bicycle track and grassy sand dunes. Broad long and child friendly, an excellent swimming beach with amazing soft, white sand and usually gentle surf. A boat ramp and amenities are located at the southern end.

Orion Beach extends eastward from Collingwood Beach, a narrow brilliant white sand strip with rocky outcrops that make for interesting beach walking. Despite many homes backing directly onto the beach reserve you still feel secluded. Good for parents with smaller children. Amenities at the eastern end.

Barfleur Beach is a narrow beach with a boat ramp at one end, home to the Vincentia Yacht Club. A good beach for low tide walks, close to Plantation Point Reserve park and excellent amenities.

Nelsons Beach Facing directly east to the South Pacific Ocean, a majestic, wide beach where you're allowed to walk the dog of the leash between 4pm and am during daylight hours. A high sandbank ridge gives good separation from the nearby homes of Vincentia and the large park on Plantation Point. Amenities Block, children’s play area and barbeques at plantation point.

Nudist Beach is difficult to get to and difficult to see, a tiny, sandy white beach surrounded by high cliff faces. Accessible from neighboring Nelsons Beach by climbing across the rocks. No amenities.

Blenheim Beach small and secluded, Blenheim is the perfect beach for families with young children as it is protected from nearly all sides from the wind. Facilities include electric barbeques, toilet block and children’s play equipment. The White Sands walk from Plantation Point runs past Blenheim and on to Greenfields Beach.

Greenfields Beach is an excellent family beach with plenty of parking and a large grassed park and barbeque area separated by a walkway to the beach. The park area also included a sheltered enclosure with the history of the beach and excellent amenities block.

Chinamans Beach a kilometre long beach with brilliant white sand, accessed from the western end of Hymans Beach. Has a steeper incline then any other beach in the area and no amenities. The White Sands Walk crossed Chinamans Beach and continues through to Hymans Beach village.

Hymans Beach a small sheltered beach, overlooked by a few beachfront homes and a park. One of three beaches at the village of Hymans Beach. Has a toilet block and a concrete boat ramp.