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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 doesn’t have 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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7 Lake Macquarie secrets the locals don’t want you to know

Credit: Beau Pilgrim

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    An untapped side to this popular holiday spot is hiding in plain sight.

    Laidback Lake Macquarie draws in holidaygoers and day trippers with its casual coastal allure and raw beauty. But even though it’s just 90 minutes from Sydney, most visitors have only scratched the surface of what this region has to offer.

    Foodie hotspots, quaint towns, tranquil waterways and compelling art are all waiting to be discovered. You just need to know where to find them.

    1. Most visitors don’t make it to the western side

    Explore beyond the western side. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    While there’s no harm in walking the well-worn path in this idyllic pocket of the world, the area west of Lake Macquarie is defined by stretches of ancient rainforests and quaint towns with a more local feel. Toronto is the largest town on this side and features a golf course and sailing clubs, while peninsula-based Wangi Wangi is fantastic for bushwalking and swimming.

    2. There’s a booming arts scene

    Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG
    Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG.

    Lake Macquarie is a must-visit destination for creatives. Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG; this modern gallery is set on a five-hectare sculpture park and showcases a free rotating program of exhibitions and events, with a strong focus on contemporary Aboriginal art. In Wangi Wangi, explore the Wangi Owl Trail, which includes Dobell House, the preserved home of prolific artist Sir William Dobell. And enjoy live music every Saturday evening at the recently renovated Toronto Hotel.

    3. It’s a nature lover’s paradise

    three people swimming in lake macquarie
    In and out of the water, find a natural paradise. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    Lake Macquarie is a playground for nature lovers. It’s home to Australia’s largest saltwater lake, a 110-square-kilometre haven for swimming, fishing, boating and sunset views. Another oasis is the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, a 761-hectare protected reserve with wildflowers, Second World War heritage sites and spectacular views to Pulbah Island. The upgraded Toronto baths, complete with jetty decking and netting, make for a sheltered spot for a refreshing dip, while the Awaba Mountain Bike Park gives adrenaline junkies their fix.

    4. The dining scene is unbeatable

    8 at Trinity lake macquarie
    Treat yourself to 8 at Trinity.

    Gourmands are well looked after in Lake Macquarie. At Emerson’s on the Lake in Toronto, the modern Australian fine dining menu spoils seafood lovers with the freshest ocean produce and stunning lake views. Sitting on Trinity Point’s waterfront, 8 at Trinity is another standout offering, serving Mediterranean fare in an open-air setting. For a more relaxed affair, the microbrewery trail lets craft beer enthusiasts sip on inventive brews from The Yard, Lake Mac Brewing and Bread & Brewery.

    5. There are hidden coves and waterways

    kayakers on lake macquarie local secrets
    Get out onto the lake. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    There’s no better way to experience Lake Macquarie than directly on its waters, and in doing so you’ll discover a world of hidden coves and secluded waterways. Jump in a kayak for a tour with the friendly team at School of Yak and paddle to Cockle Creek, Awaba Bay, Green Point and Fennel Bay, discovering underwater life along the way. Or go all in and stay the night on one of Lake Macquarie Houseboats’ spacious vessels or hire a BBQ pontoon boat for the day from Lake Macquarie Boat Hire to enjoy a feast in the sunshine while admiring the marine life and picturesque waterscape.

    6. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise

    ll blue wren sitting on a tree branch
    Keep an eye out for local birdlife. (Credit: Walter Coppola)

    Twitchers are in for a real treat as hundreds of fascinating bird species such as Australian pelicans, black swans, white-bellied sea-eagles and superb fairy-wrens call this area home. Take a self-guided tour around top spots including Bird Cage Point and Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area (near Morisset) or be guided in a clear-bottom kayak through the waterways with Lake Macquarie Kayak Adventures, observing feathered friends as you go.

    7. The lake has islands

    sail lake macquarie
    Charter a boat to see Lake Macquarie’s islands.

    Hop on a private boat, kayak or charter around the lake to discover the plethora of small islands peppered around Lake Macquarie. The largest is Pulbah Island, a 69-hectare nature reserve home to goannas and sugar gliders with secluded beaches. Sandy islands such as Spectacle Island and Pelican Island have a tropical lagoon-like look to them as they sit in the tidal path of Swansea Channel, which filters the sand and creates a pristine environment. Stop by for a dip and a picnic.

    Start living like the locals at visitlakemac.com.au.