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On the road to NOWHERE

New Zealand Woman's Weekly

February 07, 2023

Now the school holidays are all but over, it’s time to start planning the next big adventure! Hire a car or a caravan and explore New South Wales’ Jervis Bay

A nice-cream scoop gouge on the NSW south coast, Jervis Bay is framed by the Beecroft Peninsula/Bundarwa in the north and Cape St George/ Bhewerre in the south. Within these sandstone pincers are towering coastal cliffs, azure marine life-rich waters and some of the brightest whitesand beaches you will find anywhere in the world.

The region owes its pristine splendour to a trifecta of good fortune: high quartz content in the sand, no inflows from large rivers and clockwise-circulating ocean currents that flush the bay every 24 days. Jervis Bay is also protected by a marine park and two national parks. Hugging the coastline is a string of laid-back seaside villages, with Huskisson being the tourist centre.

Base yourself in Huskisson and you won’t have to wander far from your caravan to feel Jervis Bay’s best assets between your toes. The beaches have all the ingredients of a great Australian seaside holiday, and there’s so much to see and do – dolphins, caves, heritage sites, snorkelling. It’s also acceptable to sit outside and stare at the bay all day.

Why we love it: Beaches so white, water so clear – this is Tahiti in New South Wales, minus the palm trees.

Take me there: Huskisson is about 187km south of Sydney’s city centre. Take the Princess Hwy (M1/A1) to the Jervis Bay Rd turn-off. The section just south of Kiama is gorgeous, passing through rolling green hills with snatches of ocean, but it does have some long, steep descents and is prone to high winds, so drive to the conditions. You can also take the Grand Pacific Drive over the famous Sea Cliff Bridge, but this route adds to your travel time.