The best accommodation in Jervis Bay

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
hero media
If you’re heading to the South Coast of NSW, make Jervis Bay your base.

There’s a reason why Jervis Bay gets a lot of love on Instagram: it’s paradise. If powder-soft sand, snorkelling in clear water, secluded coves, killer surf and peace and quiet are some of the ingredients that meet your criteria for the perfect vacation, then the 102 sq. km bay and village should be on your radar. Here are some of the best places to stay in Jervis Bay.

Paperbark Camp

It’s all about privacy and rustic luxury at Paperbark Camp, which is four kilometres from Huskisson and the walking trails of Jervis Bay National Park. The premium tented eco accommodation comprises 13 deluxe African safari-style tents flanked by bushland and linked by star-lit pathways back to The Gunyah (‘meeting place’), which serves as the restaurant, reception, bar and communal lounge area. Spend your days exploring Jervis Bay by kayak, snorkel, paddle-board or surfboard or kick on your private verandah and count the kangaroos. 

Paperbark Camp.
It’s all about privacy and rustic luxury at Paperbark Camp.

Worrowing Estate

Worrowing Estate is an historic 100-hectare coastal farm property located on the NSW South Coast. Choose between a farm-style house and cottages, all restored to their former glory using traditional materials and reclaimed timbers, a wilderness hut flanked by the bushland of Jervis Bay National Park, a dinky little boat shed and contemporary space that was once the horse stables. There’s also a traditional beach shack 50 metres from Nelson’s Beach. 

Worrowing Estate
Worrowing Estate is an historic 100-hectare coastal farm.

Parma House

This beautifully appointed 250-hectare heritage-listed cattle property, Parma House, is a great example of sensitive agro-tourism. A stay at the renovated heritage home, built in 1874, involves slipping into a slower rhythm: pull on your gumboots and amble down to the belted Galloway cows, feed the chooks and collect their eggs and try your hand at fishing in the farm lake. If you do feel like exploring further afield, the beaches of Jervis Bay are just 15 minutes away.

Parma house
Parma House, is a great example of sensitive agro-tourism.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Beachstone Vincentia

This recently restored cottage retains much of the charm of the original beach shack and builds on it. Supercalla Private’s newest property, Beachstone, is the kind of contemporary beach cottage that is designed to make visitors unwind. There are nooks for books, an expansive verandah for sipping G+Ts, an outdoor tub, fireplace and lounge area that makes the space extremely comfortable.  Beachstone is a short walk from Orion Beach in Vincentia.

Unwind at Beachstone.
Unwind at Beachstone.

The Cove Jervis Bay

The Cove is a secluded private escape that is perfect for those seeking a bit of peace and quiet. The eco-certified property offers self-catering accommodation against the backdrop of Booderee National Park. While the Fun House can sleep 23 people in seven bedrooms, the cute-as-hell Surf Cabins, Ocean Cabins, Salt Cabins and Boat Cabins are a bit more compact, accommodating between two and six people. Glamping is also an option. 

The Cove
The Cove is a secluded private escape.

Bangalay Luxury Villas

Jervis Bay is located an hour’s south of Shoalhaven Heads, where Bangalay Villas is located. But it’s worth a bit of extra time on the asphalt to get to the luxury accommodation, which is a magnet for everyone from golfers to surfers, foodies and families. Arrive in your Tesla (there’s a charging station onsite) to the discreet getaway, which is flanked by a golf course and a short walk from Seven Mile Beach. The restaurant at the seaside retreat is world-class, making it a popular place to eat, play and stay on the South Coast.

Bangalay Villas
Bangalay Villas is worth the extra commute.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Jervis Bay Holiday Park

Jervis Bay Holiday Park is so close to the water it has its own boat ramp. Here, at the absolute river-frontage property, you can take advantage of stunning locations by hiring a kayak or SUP and paddling along Currambene Creek, which leads all the way to Jervis Bay. The family-friendly holiday park has powered and unpowered sites, glampsites, bushman’s cabins and premium waterfront sites to enjoy under canvas or from the comfort of your caravan.

Jervis Bay Holiday Park
Jervis Bay Holiday Park is so close to the water it has its own boat ramp.

Green Patch

Families who like to combine surf with travel on a budget should head to the old-school Green Patch campsite in Jervis Bay, which is a short stroll away from Green Patch Beach and a protected, picturesque lagoon set within Booderee National Park. The discrete campsite has limited spots and is ideal for families and small groups who appreciate nature and the daily cameos from kangaroos. 

Green Patch campsite in Jervis Bay.
Head to the old-school Green Patch campsite in Jervis Bay.

Atra Jervis Bay Beach Front Family Holiday Home

Atra has much to offer: the coastal getaway is toes-in-the-sand waterfront in Callala Beach, Jervis Bay and has a beach-chic ambience that makes it feel like your own mini seaside resort. The layout of the home is sympathetic with the seaside location: there are balconies, an outdoor bath, multiple living areas and an outdoor fire pit around which guests become fixtures after dark, listening to the waves crash onto the sand.

Atra
Atra has much to offer.

For more great travel tips and itineraries read the Ultimate guide to Jervis Bay holidays here.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
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.
View profile and articles
a private tub with bush views at Paperbark Camp, Woollamia
Jervis Bay

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.

Read more
hero media

8 reasons it’s time to explore Lismore’s vibrant villages

(Image: Visit Lismore)

    Angela Saurine Angela Saurine
    Continue
    Think you know Lismore? Think again. From pop-up feasts to a buzzing nightlife to a thriving arts scene, discover a new side of the Northern Rivers.

    Scratch beneath the surface of Lismore and its surrounding villages and you’ll discover a side of the Northern Rivers many travellers don’t expect. Here lies a region bursting with creativity, where vibrant street art, innovative eateries and enriching cultural experiences shape everyday life. Best of all, it’s authentic, and can be enjoyed without the crowds. Here are eight reasons why it deserves a closer look.

    1. Nights come to life

    Lismore's vibrant villages have Patrons enjoying a night out at Eltham Hotel.
    Stay out a little longer and experience the vibrant nightlife. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    The Lismore region stirs after the sun sets, with wine bars, pub gigs, pop-up dinners and live music events at atmospheric country pubs and halls. The Eltham Hotel is a hinterland institution, its verandah regularly echoing with rootsy live music. Nimbin Bush Theatre’s Sonic Bloom nights bring pop-up dinners, films and DJ sets. The Channon Tavern hosts weekend sessions, while Il Carretto’s pizza nights fill Clunes Cafe on Thursday nights and Bexhill Hall on Fridays. Rider Taco Pop Up also brings a laid-back Mexican feast to Clunes, where guests spread out on the grass or gather in the old hall to share freshly made tacos.

    2. A thriving arts and culture scene

    Racing on Molesworth Steet, Lismore for the BBCC Lismore Cycling Festival. Lismore's vibrant villages is filled with murals.
    Follow the Art & Culture Trail. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    The Northern Rivers has long attracted artists, makers and free thinkers, and nowhere is that creative energy more evident than in Lismore and its neighbouring hamlets. The city’s Art & Culture Trail shines a spotlight on the city’s flourishing arts scene, linking galleries, studios and public art across the region. Start at the Lismore Regional Gallery, which has a dynamic mix of contemporary works and community-focused exhibitions. Also keep an eye out for events at The Quad, an open-air space that lights up with live music, projections and family-friendly events. Beyond the city, discover the colourful street murals of Nimbin, browse local art at Blue Knob Gallery or get your hands dirty during a clay workshop at Silt Studio.

    3. Boutique shopping

    Inside Two Ravens Antiques & Collectables in Lismore's vibrant villages.
    Uncover one-of-a-kind finds. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    For travellers who love discovering independent labels and one-of-a-kind finds, Lismore and its nearby villages offer a treasure trove of boutiques. Here, you’ll find everything from clothes and hand-crafted trinkets to books and homewares, each store reflecting the personality of its makers and curators. Highlights include Hanging Rock Flowers, where seasonal blooms meet beautifully chosen artisan gifts, and Two Ravens Antique and Vintage, where a collection of objects whisper stories of the past. Little Polli and the Blackbird offers whimsical fashion and homewares, while Folk Modern champions eclectic textiles and global finds and Valley of the Craftsmen showcases refined handmade artistry.

    4. Diverse food offerings

    Bartenders at the The Levee Lounge and Bar, Lismore
    Settle in for an evening of great drinks and live tunes. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    Lismore’s dining scene is celebrated for its paddock-to-plate produce, global cuisines and cafe culture. At Two Mates Brewing small-batch beers are crafted for easy afternoons, often best enjoyed with a food truck bite, while The Levee Lounge and Bar brings a touch of Melbourne-style polish to town, with cocktails and wine served against the hum of live music.

    Heritage bones meet a modern buzz at The Bank Cafe & Espresso, while smoked meats and fried chicken take centre stage at The Stockpot Kitchen. Housed in a former butter factory, Channon Tavern is the ideal place to while away the day on the grass by Terania Creek, and the The Eltham Hotel offers an upscale food menu with old school charm.

    Find Annies Country Bakery in Modanville on Lismore’s Great Pie Trail, serving award-winning pies, open every day, it’s a great stop on a scenic drive on route to nearby national parks and Rocky Creek Dam. Or pop into Clunes Cafe for regular hosted dinners, each with its own unique flair. Listen to live music while you’re there, and maybe even join in a line dance.

    5. Alternative lifestyles reign

    Streetscape of Nimbin with buskers, Northern Rivers
    Discover a place where freedom, art and community are part of everyday life. (Image: The Legendary Pacific Coast)

    This area has long been a free-spirited community, where counterculture values and creative expression shape everyday life. Its roots trace back to the 1973 Aquarius Festival, when thousands gathered in the hills near Nimbin and the one-time dairy town’s once-quiet streets were painted in kaleidoscopic colour. Many never left, establishing communes and laying the foundations of a community built on sustainability and freedom. Events such as the annual Nimbin MardiGrass festival keep its activist, grassroots spirit alive, while continuing to welcome diverse travellers in search of something a little different.

    6. Breathtaking nature on the doorstep

    Person enjoying a walk through the rainforest in Nightcap National Park.
    Step into a world of ancient forests. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    Lismore acts as the gateway to some of Australia’s most spectacular ancient Gondwana rainforests and untouched wilderness. Nearby Nightcap National Park offers UNESCO-listed rainforest walks and waterfalls, while Rocky Creek Dam is a tranquil spot for picnics and birdlife – and you may even spot a platypus if your timing is right. Whian Whian State Conservation Area reveals lush subtropical trails and hidden swimming holes, while the Northern Rivers Rail Trail winds through farmland and forest, passing historic railway bridges along the way.

    7. Boutique stays

    Contained in Nimbin Accommodation.
    Experience award-winning eco stays. (Image: Contained in Nimbin)

    Accommodation in the Lismore region tends to favour character over gloss, with stays that trade uniform luxury for a stronger sense of place and personality. Lismore Gateway Motel and Invercauld House offer easy comfort close to Lismore CBD, while The Eltham Hotel pairs a lively pub atmosphere with individually designed rooms that reflect the building’s heritage character. Nightcap Ridge secluded luxury eco retreat and Rummery Park Campground in Whian Whian State Conservation Area, and Contained in Nimbin’s award-winning eco cabins, all bring you closer to nature.

    8. Form community connections

    Crowds enjoying the Lismore Lantern Parade on the North Coast.
    Celebrate winter solstice at the Lismore Lantern Parade. (Image: Visit Lismore)

    If you are wanting to immerse yourself more in the community, there are some standout events that embrace Lismore’s individuality. Lismore is known for its markets, so they’re a great place to start. The fire twirling at Lismore’s weekly Thursday produce markets makes for a particularly fun spectacle.

    Friday Meet and Make offers relaxed crafting at The Artisans Table, while Fire Twirling in The Quad delivers a high energy evening spectacle. The legendary Tropical Fruits New Years Eve Festival is a bold celebration of inclusion; Lismore Lantern Parade glows through streets with handmade lanterns on the winter solstice and Italian festival LisAmore! brings music and romance to the town.

    Start planning the ultimate getaway at visitlismore.com.au