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

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

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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

a father and daughter playing racket sports at Holiday Haven White Sands, Huskisson
Holiday Haven White Sands is a coastal retreat ideal for families.

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: Around $80 per night for two adults; $100 for families of four. Cabins range from around $190 to $250 per night.
Location: 2 Beach St, Huskisson

Holiday Haven Huskisson Beach

bicycles parked near the beach at Holiday Haven Huskisson Beach
Bring a bike to explore the beachside campground. (Image: 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 around $50-$60 per night.
Location: 785 Woollamia Rd, Woollamia

Hidden Creek Campsite

the Currambene Creek near Hidden Creek Campsite, Woollamia
The lovely bush camping ground is located on the Currambene Creek.

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 $60 per night for 2 adults and peak season $90 per night for a powered site. Unpowered sites cost a little less.
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.

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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 $30 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 around $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

a private tub with bush views at Paperbark Camp, Woollamia
Soak in the frestanding bath with a view into the bushland. (Image: Destination NSW)

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 $560 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

The Cove Jervis Bay, Berrara Beach from above
Be surrounded by the breathtaking white-sand Berrara Beach. (Image: 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: $900 for a two-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.

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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

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.

The Best Jervis Bay Camping Spots | Australian Traveller