The Best Jervis Bay Camping Spots | Australian Traveller

One of the first things to know about that much-dreamed-of Jervis Bay camping trip is that it’s just two and a half hours south of Sydney.

From back-to-basics bush blocks to glamping luxury in front of a secluded beach, Jervis Bay camping puts the subject of sleeping under canvas back on the agenda. Here are the best Jervis Bay camping spots broken up into regions for your convenience.

In short

If you only stay at one campsite in Jervis Bay, make it Green Patch, in Booderee National Park. Enjoy a swim in the safe, scenic lagoon and peg out your tent on a private site surrounded by bush. There are drive-in and walk-in options along with fresh water, toilets, barbecue facilities and picnic areas.

Booderee National Park (Jervis Bay Territory)

Those staying overnight in Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay can choose between three different campsites, all of which offer great access to the ocean.

Green Patch Campground

Green Patch Beach along Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay — The campsite is a short stroll away from Green Patch Beach. (Image: Discover Jervis Bay)

Green Patch Campground has a series of private sites near a quiet beach on the inside of Jervis Bay. I camped here with family one rainy weekend, and we took full advantage of the BBQ facilities and undercover picnic tables. Booderee National Park is jointly managed by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community and Parks Australia. You’ll need to book a month or more in advance as it’s one of the most popular campgrounds in Jervis Bay. There will be lots of native wildlife visiting your camp, so be sure to secure your food. A possum took off with our sourdough during the last visit!

Cost: $100 per night in peak season (up to five people), $70 shoulder, $35 off-peak
Location: Booderee National Park, Village Rd

Cave Beach Campground

exploring the Caves Beach, Jervis Bay — Check out the caves near the campground. (Image: Dee Kramer)

There is great surf and exciting beachfront caves to check out near Cave Beach Campground . Cars are restricted from entering the camping area so regulars in the know bring wheelbarrows or carts to transport their gear 300 metres down the hill to the sites. You are 99.9 per cent guaranteed to see kangaroos and wallabies. Facilities include fresh water, toilets, cold showers and both gas and wood-fired barbecues (Note: firewood is often provided). Nature lovers will find plenty to explore nearby such as Bherwerre Beach, a great surf spot, or Ryans Swamp, home to waterbirds, frogs, snakes and turtles.

Cost: $80 per night in peak season (up to five people), $55 shoulder, $30 off-peak
Location: Cave Beach Rd, Jervis Bay Village

Bristol Point Campground

If you have a big group to camp with and don’t mind a walk-in site, Bristol Point Campground is a top option. Surrounded by old-growth forest, and just up the road from Green Patch Beach, you’ll find amenities with solar hot water and handy washing-up sinks. There are wood BBQs and free firewood. Surfers can find the famous ‘Aussie Pipe’, regarded as one of Australia’s best surf breaks, at nearby Summercloud Bay. And those keen for more tranquil waters will find dreamy, quiet beaches inside Jervis Bay just a short walk from the campground.

Cost: Large sites are $180 per night in peak season (up to 10 people), $140 shoulder, $70 off peak. Less for standard sites (up to five people)
Location: Jervis Bay Road, Jervis Bay Territory

Beecroft Peninsula

Visitors will find camping near to Jervis Bay Marine Park on the northern headland of Jervis Bay a joy as it’s teeming with marine life.

Honeymoon Bay Campground

Honeymoon Bay, Jervis Bay from above — Set foot on the pearly white sand at Honeymoon Bay. (Image: Jordan Robins)

Without a doubt, Honeymoon Bay Campground is the ultimate school holiday bargain camping option at Jervis Bay. Positioned on Beecroft Peninsula, which is the northern headland of Jervis Bay, the campground is in a Defence-managed area known as Beecroft Weapons Range (Note: This area is often used for military activities). The campsite is available for school holidays only and there is a hotly contested online booking system with a ‘release date’ a fortnight prior to each holiday (except summer, which is released in September). For those lucky enough to secure a site, you get a beautiful setting, portaloos and bins. BYO water and gas cookers. Fires prohibited.

Cost: $15 per site per night for up to two adults. Additional $5 per person, per night. Children under 16 are free.
Location: Honeymoon Bay Rd, Beecroft Weapons Range, Jervis Bay

Huskisson/Woollamia (inside the bay)

There are also campgrounds closer to Huskisson, where you can balance your time ‘roughing it’ on the famous white-sand beaches with a sit-down pub meal at the Husky. Iconic.

Holiday Haven White Sands

Holiday Haven White Sands is one of the few campsites in the region where a one-kilometre coastal walk from your camp will deliver you to one of the best pubs around. Forget tinned baked beans. Think crunchy schnitzels and icy cold beers. Perched on the point with scenic bay views, your camp will be metres from legendary, white-sand beaches. It is ideal for swimming, paddleboarding and sunset walks. You could use the barbecues or head into Huskisson for a meal. Huskisson is also the launch spot for dolphin and whale-watching cruises.

Price: $80 per night for two adults; $100 for families of four.
Location: 2 Beach St, Huskisson

Holiday Haven Huskisson Beach

Families looking for some camping fun with some resort-style extras should check out Holiday Haven Huskisson Beach . Campsites have power and water. Parents can relax by the pool while the kids splash around or play on the playground equipment. Bring scooters, skateboards or bikes so they can zip along the safe paths within the site or zoom ahead as you stroll on into Huskisson to check out the Jervis Bay cafe scene. Adventurous families might want to take a kayak tour and then return to the camp to take advantage of the undercover barbecues and entertainment area.

Price: $80 per night for two adults, $100 with two kids.
Location: Beach St, Huskisson Beach

Jervis Bay Holiday Park

Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay — The campground is just steps away from Hyams Beach. (Image: Tasman Holiday Parks)

Tasman Holiday Parks is known for catering to everyone from campers to caravanners. And this Jervis Bay Holiday Park is in one of its most scenic locations, offering powered and unpowered sites on Currambene Creek. It also has glamping options if you want some more comfort and convenience. Coffee lovers can enjoy a barista-made brew onsite – just visit the vintage coffee van by the water. Also onsite at Tasman Holiday Parks – Jervis Bay is a pool, splash park and playground. There’s also a jetty which is a great place for fishing. The calm waters of Hyams Beach – world-famous for its sugar-white sands – are just a short walk away.

Price: Unpowered sites from $53 per night (6 people).
Location: 785 Woollamia Rd, Woollamia

Hidden Creek Campsite

It’s become unusual to find a campsite where you can sit under the stars and stare at your own log fire, but you can at Hidden Creek Campsite . It is a lovely bush camping ground where you can really reconnect with nature, but still have all the convenience of Huskisson only a five-minute drive up the road. Located on Currambene Creek, there are fish to catch, possums and bandicoots to spot and lots of family fun to be had. Self-catering is easy with the handy communal kitchen and picnic shelters available.

Price: Offpeak $45 per night for 2 adults; $65 per night for 2 adults
Location: 55 Goodland Rd, Woollamia

Callala/Myola/Currarong (North Shore of Jervis Bay)

Callala Bay is a safe haven for swimming, sailing and easy access to Jervis Bay.

Tasman Holiday Parks – Myola

Myola cabins at Tasman Holiday Parks — Settle into a seaside cabin at Tasman Holiday Parks Myola.

Bring your rackets. Tasman Holiday Parks – Myola comes complete with its own tennis court. Have a hit, then cool off in the pool. The Park is on the banks of Currambene Creek and Callala Beach is only five minutes’ walk away. For a bit of novelty fun, catch the Husky Ferry from Myola into Huskisson, stock up on provisions and then return for a BBQ near your camp. The campgrounds are adjacent to lovely bushland, so you have a good chance of spotting plenty of kangaroos and parrots.

Price: Powered sites start from $35 per night
Location: 123 Myola Rd, Myola

Holiday Haven Currarong

a family enjoying a picnic on Currarong Beach, Jervis Bay — Enjoy a picnic while watching the sunset over Currarong Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

Holiday Haven Currarong is quite a large caravan park. But the unpowered campsites are right on Currarong Creek and have dress circle access to the beach. Also nearby are ‘en suite campsites’ where you have space for your tent adjacent to your own private shower, toilet and vanity. Currarong has a long wild beach that gets great surf on its day. There is a wonderful hike from the campground along the coast. Head past Abrahams Bosom, one of Australia’s prettiest beaches, to check out the S.S. Merimbula shipwreck. The Wreck Walk is one of the best things to do in Jervis Bay.

Price: UnPowered site from $45 per night; Powered Site from $55 per night. En suite campsites: $85 per night for two adults and up to four kids, for ‘en suite campsites.
Location: 8 Cambewarra Rd, Currarong

Glamping

Camping has had a makeover. And travellers who like a high-thread count while they’re sleeping under canvas couldn’t be happier. Here’s where to go glamping in Jervis Bay.

Paperbark Camp

If you like the idea of camping but want a more luxurious experience, then the beautifully appointed canvas safari tents at Paperbark Camp in Woollamia might just be your special place. You still get the delightful bush surrounds, but you also get cocktails and a four-course fine dining menu at onsite restaurant, The Gunyah. It’s one of the best places to eat in Jervis Bay. There are also plenty of activities for guests wanting some exercise: explore walking trails through the bush, borrow a bike for a ride to Flamin’ Galah Brewing Co. or take a canoe downriver to Huskisson.

Price: From $595 a night for a deluxe safari tent when booking a two-night midweek stay. This package includes a full gourmet breakfast and access to canoes, SUP boards and complimentary wifi in The Gunyah.
Location: 571 Woollamia Rd, Woollamia

The Cove Jervis Bay

Your canvas tent will already be pitched and furnished for you when you arrive at The Cove Jervis Bay . Think soft linens on a king-size bed with cushions, deckchairs and luxe amenities. The glamping set-up also includes a communal kitchen with a commercial fridge to keep your beers crisp and cold. The kitchen also includes all the usual appliances and equipment you rely on in your home kitchen. The Cove is surrounded by water and bushland. Test out the complimentary kayaks and paddleboards on Sussex Inlet or go body surfing at Bherwerre Beach.

Price: $930 for a three-night minimum for two adults and two kids in a glamping tent.
Location: Ellmoos Rd via Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay

Discover the best things to do in Jervis Bay

Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.

Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.

From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.

vegetables in a basket at Bells Garden at Bells At Killcare — From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)

Central Coast oyster experiences

From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.

But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.

Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.

guests in the water for an experience at Sydney Oyster Farm - Central Coast food — Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)

Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.

shucking oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)

Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit

While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.

Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.

Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .

If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.

woman picking oranges at Oranges at Dooralong — Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)

Organic dining

What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.

The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.

Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.

farmers holding fresh produce picked at Fanelli Organics — See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.

Paddock-to-plate dining

High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.

Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.

woman writing in notebook next to a table of food at Saddles, Central Coast food — Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)

Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.

Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.

cocktail at Bells At Killcare — Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.

A comprehensive guide to the best camping and glamping spots in Jervis Bay