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

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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: $80 per night for two adults; $100 for families of four.
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 $53 per night (6 people).
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 $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.

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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 $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

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 $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

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: $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

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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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Jervis Bay accommodation
Jervis Bay

The best accommodation in Jervis Bay

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

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The tastiest new players on Newcastle’s dining scene you need to try

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

    When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

    aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw
    Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

    1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

    pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle
    Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

    Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

    Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

    Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe.

    2. Destination dining

    Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw
    Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca, which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

    One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie, the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

    Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

    3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

    people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths
    Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

    What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

    Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach. Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen, which is open from 6am.

    Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse.

    You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach, where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

    Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

    4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

    couple eating at Flotilla newcastle
    Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

    In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

    Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

    Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

    5. Newcastle nightlife

    Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw
    Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

    As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

    If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne, Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s.

    Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.