Jervis Bay White-Sand Weekender

Jervis Bay White-Sand Weekender

The whitest sand in the world (claimed), dolphins off Hyams Beach, bushwalks at Booderee.

South Coast3h from CBDBest time: October — AprilFamily-friendly

Jervis Bay's Hyams Beach made its name on a Guinness Book claim for the whitest sand in the world — the real story is a crescent of protected bay that ripples out into a marine park, a national park and a string of lazy coastal villages. Three hours south of Sydney, it's the NSW coast's most family-friendly long weekend.

Highlights

  • Hyams Beach — the headline swim, arrive before 10am to park
  • Booderee National Park — Murrays Beach, Green Patch, Cave Beach
  • Dolphin Watch cruise from Huskisson wharf
  • Point Perpendicular lighthouse at sunrise
  • Honeymoon Bay campground for an overnight right on the water

Suggested itinerary

  1. Saturday · Morning

    Sydney → Huskisson

    Princes Highway via Kiama. Coffee stop at Berry (Moody Chef Bakery is essential) breaks the drive.

  2. Saturday · 11am

    Hyams Beach

    Swim, walk the foreshore to Chinaman's Beach. Bring a picnic — no ocean-front cafe at this end.

  3. Saturday · 3pm

    Dolphin cruise

    Dolphin Watch runs 90-minute cruises at 10:30am and 2pm. Year-round residents in the bay.

  4. Saturday · Evening

    Huskisson dinner

    Wild Ginger or Fraser's for coastal Asian. The Husky Pub is the casual alternative.

  5. Sunday · Morning

    Booderee park walk

    Murrays Beach track is 90 minutes return through banksia forest to a snorkelling bay.

  6. Sunday · Afternoon

    Point Perpendicular

    The whitewashed lighthouse and vertical cliff face are a 20-minute drive from Currarong. Return to Sydney by 7pm.

Getting there

3 hours via the Princes Highway, or 2.5 hours via the M1 and Illawarra Highway in light traffic. Berry makes the natural halfway stop.

Eat & drink

  • Wild Ginger, Huskisson — Asian-inspired tasting menus
  • Pilgrims Cafe, Milton — vegetarian institution on the drive home
  • The Huskisson Hotel beer garden for a casual seafood pub feed

Local tips

  • Booderee National Park has a day-pass fee ($13/car) and the best beaches — pay at the gate
  • Summer school holidays are chaos at Hyams — go shoulder season if you can
  • Jervis Bay Marine Park means no spear-fishing and a $110 fine for feeding wildlife
  • Petrol is noticeably cheaper in Nowra than inside the villages

Plan the trip

Stays in Huskisson

Rooms, cabins and short stays listed by locals.

Browse accommodation

Nearby businesses

Cafes, restaurants and services in the area.

Browse businesses