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The most picturesque beaches in Jervis Bay

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
This picturesque region boasts some of Australia’s best beaches.

The best Jervis Bay beaches have every aspect covered on our bucket (and spade) list: think white sands, turquoise-tinted waters, and vast swathes of bushland tumbling down to the sea. A visit to Jervis Bay wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of these spectacular spots.

In short

Booderee National Park holds great significance to the Traditional Owners of Jervis Bay. Set off on the Munyunga waraga dhugan loop walk to learn more about Indigenous heritage and culture.

Murrays Beach

Murrays Beach, Jervis Bay
Murrays Beach is sheltered by Bowen Island. (Image: Destination NSW)

You can’t camp directly on Murrays Beach, but you can camp nearby in Booderee National Park, which is jointly managed by Parks Australia and Wreck Bay Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community. Wake early, to the tune of birds singing soprano, so you can set off on the Munyunga waraga dhugan walking trail in the lilac pink of dawn. Learn about Indigenous culture and native flora and fauna along the 5.4-kilometre-long track which affords great opportunities to spot wildlife. Entry fees apply.

Greenfield Beach

Greenfield Beach, Jervis Bay
The stunning Greenfield Beach is perfect for beachside picnics. (Image: Destination NSW)

Close your eyes and imagine, if you will, the absolute best Jervis Bay beach day. There are children scampering toward the water. A few doughy tourists learning to paddleboard. And a bunch of old blokes in board shorts fishing off the beach. Walk down the timber boardwalk hemmed with native grasses and build a pillow of sand so you can stare at the horizon bathed in a golden light. The family-friendly Greenfield Beach has barbecues, picnic areas and wheelchair access.

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Honeymoon Bay

Honeymoon Bay, Jervis Bay from above
The pristine bay is exceptionally clear and vibrant blue. (Image: Jordan Robins)

When viewed from above, Honeymoon Bay resembles an opal, ringed with blues and golds that fade into a pearly white crescent of sand. It’s the perfect spot for swimming, but not much chop for surfing. Honeymoon Bay is a popular place for proposals; scratch Marry Me into the sand with a stick and Instagram the whole thing, so you enshrine the story into your family’s mythology. Prefer to fly solo? Wander the shoreline at low tide to enjoy some quiet contemplation.

Cave Beach

a family exploring Cave Beach, Jervis Bay
The rugged cliffs make for a dramatic backdrop. (Image: Dee Kramer)

Aussie surfers love Cave Beach. The remote beauty of the place makes it a magnet for intermediate wave riders who like to avoid the crowds. The beach is protected by pillars of rock that are pockmarked with caves that yawn open to the elements. There’s a camping area on a grassy knoll some 300 metres from the car park, but all equipment must be schlepped in. The rugged cliffs make for a dramatic backdrop and provide nesting areas for seabirds.

Green Patch Beach

Green Patch Beach, Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay
Swim or snorkel in the calm waters. (Image: Discover Jervis Bay)

If the Jervis Bay beaches were themed Green Patch Beach would be in the Convivial category. The beach has a campground that seems to attract families due to its calm conditions and powdery soft sand. Cue the vigorous applause when you arrive at this beach, which is also popular with folks who want a leisurely swim or snorkel without big waves. The Jervis Bay beach is an easy escape from Sydney and a recommended location for scuba diving.

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Hole in the Wall Beach

My father-in-law’s advice is always sapiential when it comes to recommending under-the-radar beaches. He lives in Canberra and he added a lot of emphasis when he recommended Hole in the Wall Beach to us as a serene spot to take the kids. Our insatiable curiosity led us to this hidden spot tucked away in Booderee National Park. Take a selfie near the sandstone rock wall with a hole in it at the northeastern end of the beach and then stay sprawled and daydreaming for the rest of the day.

Blenheim Beach

a couple walking along Blenheim Beach, Jervis Bay
Stroll along the scenic Blenheim Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

Bookend your White Sands Walk in Jervis Bay with a swim in the blue-green waters off Blenheim Beach. It’s one of the best things to do in Jervis Bay. The beach is a short and secluded section of the walk, but it offers a bonafide bush-to-beach experience and some of the best snorkelling in the bay. You’ll want to hang around for a bit and have a snorkel; the crystal-clear waters off the beach are teeming with marine life.

Chinamans Beach

Don your polarised sunnies when you visit Chinamans Beach, as the white sands of this Jervis Bay beach can be blinding in the dazzling sunshine. Chinamans Beach is one of the most popular beaches in NSW as a backdrop for weddings. Make sure your beard is extravagantly groomed before photo bombing the wedding party. Check out the beach on Google Street Trekker. If unexpected weather is forecast, we recommend picking up a kilo of glossy black Jervis Bay mussels and going back to your crash pad.

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Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
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9 of the best Sydney hotel bars for a local adventure

(Credit: Nikki To)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.

    If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.

    1. El Vista, Circular Quay

    bar tender at El Vista, Circular Quay sydney hotel bars
    Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)

    This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.

    2. Bar Allora, CBD

    Bar Allora, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Settle in for a taste of Italy.

    Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.

    3. Percy, Pyrmont

    Percy Sydney hotel bars
    Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)

    Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.

    4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD

    The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Seafood lovers should head to The Crudo Bar. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage in Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.

    5. Mee So, Sydney Central

    Mee So sydney
    Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.

    For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky, and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.

    6. Bar Morris, Haymarket

    Bar Morris sydney
    Settle into old-world European glamour.

    Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.

    7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour

    Pumphouse sydney
    Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.

    When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial-style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and is a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.

    8. Wentworth Bar, CBD

    Wentworth Bar sydney hotel bars
    Drink where the celebrities once did.

    Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.

    9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington

    Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington sydney
    See the city skyline, drink in hand.

    Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place; it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.

    For more information on how to enjoy Sydney for a long weekend, visit ALL.com.