Australia Travel Planner · New South Wales

Jervis Bay for backpackers

Jervis Bay is about three hours south of Sydney and known for very white sand, clear water and dolphins that live in the bay all year. In Booderee National Park you camp among kangaroos. Here you'll find all the checked spots from our map with tips.

Location
About 190 km south of Sydney
Highlight
Hyams Beach and Booderee NP
Wildlife
Dolphins all year, whales May–November
Tip
Come on a weekday
Arriving

Getting there and best time to visit Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay is best reached from Sydney by car, about three hours via the Princes Highway. By train you go to Bomaderry and then by bus to Huskisson, but the beaches and national park are hard to reach without a car. The bay is on the Grand Pacific Drive road trip.

Swimming is best from November to April. At weekends and in the school holidays Jervis Bay is completely overrun and parking gets scarce — come on a weekday. From May to November humpback whales pass by; you see dolphins all year.

Sleep

Hostels and camping in Jervis Bay

Green Patch Campground: camping with kangaroos

A campground in the national park where kangaroos often graze between the tents, with a beach within walking distance. The site fee comes on top of park entry. It books out fast in the holidays — reserve early.

Sleep · Camping · Booderee NP · Price level $ · Website

Cave Beach Camping Area: campground behind the dunes

A campground behind the dunes at the surf beach, reachable only on foot from the car park. Simple, quiet and right by the sea.

Sleep · Camping · Booderee NP · Price level $

Surf

Surfing in Jervis Bay

Cave Beach: surf beach in the national park

An open beach in Booderee National Park with waves for all levels. It's unpatrolled — only go in with surf experience. Behind the dunes there's a campground reachable only on foot.

Surf · Jervis Bay · Best time: all year

Swim

Swimming and snorkelling in Jervis Bay

Hyams Beach: white sand and clear water

Hyams Beach is known for its very white, fine sand and clear water in a sheltered bay. That's exactly why it's completely overrun at weekends and in the holidays, and parking gets scarce. On weekdays and early in the morning you'll have it almost to yourself.

Swim · Jervis Bay · Best time: weekdays

Views & photos

Lookouts and photo spots in Jervis Bay

White Sands Walk: coastal walk between two beaches

A short coastal walk between Greenfield Beach and Hyams Beach over small coves and rocks. Best walked early in the morning, before the day visitors arrive. Free, and easy to finish with a swim.

Views & photos · Jervis Bay · Best time: morning

Free

Free things to do in Jervis Bay

Booderee National Park: Aboriginal-owned national park

The national park belongs to the Aboriginal community of Wreck Bay and is jointly managed. It has secluded bays like Green Patch and Murrays Beach, bush tracks and campgrounds with kangaroos. You need a park pass per vehicle to enter.

Free · Booderee · Best time: all year

Food

Cheap eats in Jervis Bay

Huskisson: main town with cafés and dolphin boats

Huskisson is the bay's main town, with cafés, fish and chips and a pub. The dolphin and whale boats leave from here. Dolphins live in the bay all year, and you often see them from the shore.

Food · Huskisson · Best time: morning · Price level $

Tours

Tours and day trips from Jervis Bay

Dolphin and whale watching: boat tours from Huskisson

Tours leave from Huskisson: you see dolphins all year and humpback whales from May to November. One of the most reliable dolphin-watching spots on the NSW coast.

Tours · Boat · Huskisson · Price level $

Common questions

Jervis Bay for backpackers: frequently asked questions

When is Hyams Beach at its best?

On weekdays and early in the morning. At weekends and in the holidays it's completely overrun.

Do you need a pass for Booderee National Park?

Yes, to drive in you need a park pass per vehicle, and for camping a site fee on top.

Can you see dolphins in Jervis Bay?

Yes, dolphins live in the bay all year. Boat tours leave from Huskisson, and you often see them from the shore too.

Next

Travelling on from Jervis Bay

All spots on the Jervis Bay map. Nearby: Sydney to the north. The route at a glance on the Grand Pacific Drive road trip.

Updated September 2026. Checked against official sources and operator websites. Prices, opening hours and seasons change — check before you go.