Huskisson Travel Guide: Beaches, Wildlife & Jervis Bay Escape

Huskisson is the main town on Jervis Bay. It’s small: a main street, a wharf, a few good places to eat, and easy access to beaches and the bay. Most people use it as a base for exploring the broader Jervis Bay area, including the beaches and walking tracks inside Booderee National Park.

The town was named after British statesman William Huskisson, who holds the somewhat grim distinction of being the first person in history to be killed by a steam locomotive, struck by Stephenson’s Rocket at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830. The town was named in his honour during the era of colonial land-naming.

Huskisson is around two and a half hours from Sydney and a little under 3 hours from Canberra, making it a great choice for a long weekend escape. With plenty to see and do, Huskisson works equally well for family holidays and couples looking for a weekend away.

Next Escape is your guide to real places and real experiences, with practical, independent travel advice based on first-hand visits: the places we’ve explored, the restaurants we’ve eaten at and the walks we’ve done. This page may contain affiliate links; if you book or buy through them, Next Escape may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Is Huskisson worth visiting?

Yes. Huskisson is one of the most accessible coastal escapes on the NSW South Coast, with gorgeous clear water, a reliable resident dolphin pod and Booderee National Park on the doorstep. It’s not a large or polished town, which is part of the appeal. For swimming, snorkelling, wildlife spotting and switching off for a couple of days, it’s hard to beat.

Huskisson also fits nicely as part of a longer South Coast road trip. We’ve included it as a stopover on our South Coast 6-day road trip suggested itinerary. This trip totals 732 kms and takes you south from Sydney to Kiama, Mollymook, Narooma then back north via Huskisson to Sydney.

Why visit Huskisson?

• Clear, calm water, perfect for swimming or snorkelling.
• A large resident bottlenose dolphin pod means sightings are reliable year-round.
• Whale watching from May to November.
• Booderee National Park is on the doorstep with outstanding beaches and bushwalking.
• Paperbark Camp is a memorable glamping experience.

Huskisson at a glance

Distance from Sydney	Around 2 hours 30 minutes (driving), 186 km
Distance from Canberra	Around 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours (driving), 195 km
Best for	Families, couples, wildlife lovers, beach holidays
Known for	Jervis Bay water, Booderee National Park, dolphins
Ideal stay	2 nights
Best time to visit	Summer for swimming, May to November for whale watching
Useful links	Accommodation options are available on both Booking.com and Stayz. Check Booderee National Park website for details on walks and beaches.

How long should you stay in Huskisson?

• Ideal stay: 2 nights.
• Day trip from Sydney or Canberra: Technically possible but we wouldn’t recommend it as you’d spend a large chunk of the day in the car.
• Weekend: Perfect for a dolphin cruise, an afternoon in Booderee National Park, a walk and a couple of good meals.
• 3+ nights: Great for a slower pace, particularly in a self-catering holiday house. Allows for more beach time and more time in the national park.

Best things to do in Huskisson

Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruises

Jervis Bay has a large resident bottlenose dolphin pod and sightings on a cruise are reliable year-round. Two main operators run from the wharf: Jervis Bay Wild and Dolphin Watch Cruises. Both offer dolphin cruises daily, with whale watching added from May to November when humpbacks migrate through.

Book ahead in school holidays (direct with the operators or on Viator). These fill up fast.

Wander Around Huskisson Wharf and Voyager Park

Huskisson Wharf gives you peaceful, clear views across Huskisson Passage to Callala Beach on the other side of Currambene Creek. It’s then a very short walk along the waterfront to Voyager Park and the HMAS Voyager Memorial. This is an excellent first stop before heading south on the coastal walk, or just to get a feel of the town, and incredibly clear water, when you first arrive.

Foreshore Walk

There are several walks from Huskisson heading south towards, and through, Vincentia. The walks have gorgeous coastal views, are well maintained and offer a mix of bush tracks and paved pathways. Leaving from Huskisson, you can walk as far as Vincentia (5.8 km), Greenfields Beach (8.2 km) or turn back when it suits you. From Greenfields Beach, the White Sands Walk and Scribbly Gum Track are two shorter options (2.5 km loop) offering scenery that’s just as stunning.

Mangrove Walk & Maritime Museum

The Mangrove Walk starts near the Maritime Museum and follows a short boardwalk through the mangroves along the foreshore. It’s flat, easy and suitable for all ages. The Maritime Museum is also worth a visit. The highlight is the restored old Sydney ferry and the admission price is very reasonable at $14 per adult ticket.

Personal note: You can do this walk before the museum opens at 10am, just walk around the building to find the start of the track. At high tide there are tiny fish darting through the roots and at low tide you’ll spot plenty of crabs. You’ll also get a nice view back towards Huskisson at the end of the walk.

Huskisson Sea Pool

Just below the Huskisson Hotel is the Huskisson Sea Pool, with lovely views across the bay towards Myola Spit. It’s free, with a shaded kids’ pool and a playground alongside. One catch: the pool is only open from November to March.

Have a Beach Day

Huskisson’s closest swimming beach, Shark Net Beach, is a short walk from the main street. The name comes from a shark net that used to protect the bay before the Sea Pool was built nearby. The water is calm and sheltered, good for swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding.

A short walk further along the waterfront is Huskisson Beach. This long, white beach is perfect for swimming (although not patrolled), exploring the rocks at the northern end or walking the length of the beach.

Booderee National Park

Booderee National Park covers the southern tip of Jervis Bay and is jointly managed by the Australian Government and the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community. The park entrance is about 15 minutes’ drive from Huskisson and entry requires a day pass or annual national park pass. Note that the beaches are not supervised by lifeguards.

Key spots inside the park include:

• Green Patch Beach: sheltered and family-friendly, good for swimming
• Murrays Beach: a beautiful beach that looks out to Bowen Island, popular for swimming and snorkelling
• Cave Beach: a longer, more exposed stretch popular with surfers and campers
• Booderee Botanic Gardens: one of the few coastal botanic gardens, and the only Aboriginal-owned one, in Australia

Where to eat and drink in Huskisson

The standout in Huskisson for fine dining is The Gunyah at nearby Paperbark Camp. Within Huskisson itself you also have several great options for pasta, fish and chips, takeaway and pub food.

• Fine dining in the bush: The Gunyah at Paperbark Camp
• Fresh pasta and gelato: Pasta Buoy
• Jaffles and coffee: Harley’s @ Husky
• Pub food and water views: Huskisson Hotel
• Craft beer: Jervis Bay Brewing Co

The Gunyah at Paperbark Camp

About 10 minutes from town, The Gunyah at Paperbark Camp is a must-do for dinner. The menu is built around fresh, seasonal Australian produce and you can order à la carte or go with the chef’s menu (at a shared table). Our favourites when visiting were the fresh South Coast rock oysters and the grilled mackerel. The room is split between dining tables and an open area with armchairs around the fire, so you can finish your meal and then enjoy a tea or digestif by the fire.

Personal note: If you are staying at Paperbark Camp, breakfast is likely included in your stay. This is excellent and worth taking your time over.

Pasta Buoy

This takeaway pasta and gelato cafe has become a Huskisson institution. Pasta Buoy offer a simple menu with pasta made fresh every day for the mains and a small selection of sides. Our pick is the vodka rigatoni with a side of garlic bread to mop up the sauce. The gelato bar next door then has you covered for dessert.

Harley’s @ Husky

Good coffee, good focaccia, good jaffles. If you want a solid breakfast before heading out for the day, this is the spot.

Huskisson Hotel

The Husky Pub has reliably good pub food, lovely views across the foreshore and a good selection of beers and wines by the glass. It does get busy on weekends so book ahead (especially if you have a group).

Where to stay in Huskisson

Holiday houses and self-contained apartments dominate the accommodation options, with motels and a few boutique options rounding it out. Book early – it fills up fast in summer and school holidays. We have included a couple of options below, and you can also check a full range on Booking.com and Stayz.

Tip: If you don’t need to be walking distance from cafes, restaurants and the beach in the middle of Huskisson, search the wider Jervis Bay area for additional accommodation options.

Paperbark Camp

About 10 minutes from Huskisson in Woollamia, Paperbark Camp sits on 80 acres of eucalyptus bushland along Currambene Creek. There are 12 luxury safari tents, bikes and kayaks on-site, and wallabies wandering the property at dusk. This is the pick of the Huskisson accommodation, particularly for couples.

Personal note: The tents come well stocked with blankets and hot water bottles, so even a cold or rainy night is fine. We last visited in cool weather and slept perfectly. Regardless of the weather, the wine and cheese platter on arrival is a great way to start your stay.

Jervis Bay Motel

A well-located motel within walking distance from the cafes, restaurants, pub and beach. Good for a short stay.

Best time to visit Huskisson

• Summer: Great for beach days, peak season and very busy, especially in school holidays.
• Autumn: Cooling down and getting quieter. Whale watching season starts in May.
• Winter: Good for whale watching, quiet with off-season accommodation prices.
• Spring: Starting to warm up. Good for walks and visiting the botanic gardens in the Booderee National Park.

Local travel tip

If driving down from Sydney, Kiama or Berry are excellent choices for a coffee or lunch stop on the way.

FAQs