Beach with Your Buddy

Jervis Bay is perfect for dog owners looking for a place to bring their dog on holiday, as most of the beaches allow on-leash dogs during normal hours. Taking your pup for an energising sandy run is no... obstacle at any time of day, and fortunately many of those shimmering coastlines also have off-leash hours, so you can go for a surfing trip or a lunchtime picnic and let your four-legged friend stretch their legs.

Read up on the Top 5 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Jervis Bay and find out the exact times of off-leash hours off-leash hours on the beaches in the Shoalhaven.

Pours with Your Pup

Enjoy some brews in the sun in the dog-friendly Pavilion Terrace at Huskisson Hotel beer gardens at Jervis Bay Brewing... Co. and Flamin’ Galah Brewing Co. Have a fantastic lunch and locally brewed beers with your mates and your dog freely enjoying the sunshine at your feet. With all these fantastic venues within easy walking distance of each other, why not multitask with a dog walk and a pub crawl at the same time?

Hike with Your Hound

One of the best ways to enjoy the beautiful area you find yourself in is to simply get your walking shoes on and start exploring. To keep your pooch included, avoid the walks through national parks as... they’re generally off-limits to dogs for nature conservation reasons, but there are still plenty of paths available to you.

For tiny pups and older dogs, take an easy stroll on the Mangrove Boardwalk that explores the wetlands at Currambene Creek, or go to one of the local markets and enjoy wandering among the stalls; the Huskisson Markets, Jervis Bay Maritime Museum Markets, and the Pyree Village Art, Craft and Handmade Markets are all on monthly. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out Mermaid Inlet and Gosangs Tunnel – you’ll have to climb over, under and through some rock formations and the view will be well worth it.

Chow with Your Chum

In addition to the food trucks and restaurants inside the Huskisson breweries, there are also plenty of food spots that won’t turn away your furry friend. The Shoalhaven is all about cosy towns, sunshine,... and friendly people, and most cafes have sun-soaked outdoor seating that welcomes leashed dogs. Sit down for some fish n chips looking out onto the beach or on the main street and enjoy lunch in the fresh air.

Down Time with Your Doggo

Many of our beautiful holiday homes are pet-friendly and equipped with dog bowls, toys, and fenced backyards, so if you’re tuckered out from roaming all around the local sights, hang out back at your... vacation base with an easy game of catch or just lie in the sun with your furry buddy.

At Professional Holidays Homes, we’re careful to take note of the fencing on our properties, so if you have a fence-hopper in the family, get in touch and we’ll find you the perfect holiday house to give you relaxation and peace of mind.

Stonegrill Huskisson

A favourite of the area, Stonegrill Huskisson offers a unique, interactive dining experience with a selection of entrées, mains and specialties available to order, cooked tableside using a special heat-retaining... volcanic stone. Watch your ideal cut of meat be cooked exactly to your liking, or sample their seafood or vegetarian meals – like all good coastal restaurants of course, fresh oysters and prawns are on the menu.

Taj Indian Restaurant

You don’t need to leave Huskisson to taste some of the best Indian food you can find outside of India. Taj Indian serves a selection of authentic North Indian dishes with plenty of variety for all tastes,... dietary requirement and spicy tolerance. Reasonably priced with excellent service, they’re well worth a night out for dinner, but they also offer takeaway if you feel like fine dining in your pyjamas.

5 Little Pigs

If you’re looking for a daytime spot, you need to visit this small family-run venue serving breakfast, lunch and excellent coffee right near Huskisson Wharf. Loved by locals and tourists alike, this... popular spot gets busy during the peak holiday season, but if you don’t mind the occasional short wait, you’ll be treated to outstanding food with delightfully curated flavours fresh ingredients. They’ve also opened up a food trailer within Jervis Bay Brewing Co, so you can enjoy some unreal eats along with your brews.

Kanpai

The menu at Kanpai Japanese Restaurant draws on traditional Japanese cuisine with a contemporary western style of exciting flavours, and every visit will feel new with their outdoor tapas grill and bar... where you can ask the chef to cook you something fresh off the grill, or sip sake and eat sashimi while you admire the beautiful views that Huskisson has to offer. Sushi has never tasted fresher than this close to the ocean, and if you’re just looking for a light snack and a drink, Kanpai (which means cheers!) has a cocktail menu and some of the most delicious entrees.

Gunyah Restaurant at Paper Bark Camp

For a truly special dining experience, you need to visit the Gunyah treetop dining room at the luxury camping spot of Paper Bark Camp. You don’t need to be glamping to get a table, so book in for breakfast,... afternoon cocktails, bar snacks and dinner, with delicious food and specially selected regional wines served amongst the treetops. In the warmer months, the sliding doors open up for outdoor dining on the verandah, providing a bushy backdrop to candlelit meals, and in winter the open fire will keep you cosy.

Steamers Beach

A great place to start is Steamers Beach on the south side of Jervis Bay, right on the edge of Booderee National Park. Steamers is a bit of a trek with a 30-minute walk and some steep stairs to get there,... but you get to walk through tall eucalypt forest and tea tree on your way. Keep an eye out for sharks if you’re surfing at dawn or dusk (or avoid those times entirely).

Cave Beach

If the surf is too busy at Steamers, right nearby is Cave Beach, with beach breaks and a right hander breaking off the rocks. Don’t forget to leave time to explore the network of sea caves at the southern... end of the beach before or after your surf, and public amenities will make rinsing off the sand and salt a breeze. It’s also an ideal camping spot if you’re making your way down the coast from beach to beach and not staying long.

Bherwerre Beach

Also in that area is Bherwerre Beach, a 7km-long beach that’s fortunately one of the quieter beaches in the Shoalhaven, and a great place to go to escape the crowds if you’re surfing during peak holiday... seasons. Bherwerre is the longest, highest energy beach on the south coast and occupies much of Wreck Bay. Numerous beach breaks abound with the northern end being the most accessible and having good summer conditions, when north winds blow offshore.

Culburra Beach

A little north of Jervis Bay is Culburra Beach, a town that boasts two beaches: the northern end of Warrain Beach and Culburra Beach, both of which face out onto the South Pacific Ocean and are guaranteed... to deliver some swell. Culburra is a favourite spot for surfers and the home patch for famous pros like Owen, Mikey and Tyler Wright, so don’t give it a miss.

Currarong Beach

If you’re a beginner or looking to show a surfer newbie the ropes, have a go at Currarong Beach. It has a wide variety of waves to choose from, and as its protected from south winds, there are reef and... beachbreaks all the way to Kinghorn Point. Currarong even has a surf school if you need a helping hand to get you riding the waves, so there’s something for all skill levels in Jervis Bay.

Sailing

Learn to sail on the blue waters of Jervis Bay at Callala Bay with the Jervis Bay Sailing Club and their mixed fleet of twenty sailing boats and experienced... trainers. Established ten years ago, they welcome all sailors from the novice to the experienced. With a boat ramp and jetty, Callala Bay is a great base to explore the crystal-clear waters of Jervis Bay, so if you already have the skills and the boat, come down and enjoy the sailing – many of our properties have parking for boats, so you’ll be welcome in the Shoalhaven.

Callala Beach

Just south of Callala Bay is gorgeous Callala Beach , the longest beach... in Jervis Bay, and backed by a reserve with barbecues and picnic tables. Like most beaches in Jervis Bay, it has the beautiful, brilliantly white sand and aqua blue waters that are perfect for gentle swimming and fishing. At the northern end of the beach is a reserve and a small creek inlet behind a rocky reef which provides a sheltered swimming spot at high tide. Take a book and sunbake for as long as you like, or have a picnic down on the sand.

Fishing

If you’re looking to see what bites in Jervis Bay while you’re there, bring your rod and find everything from squid, whiting, flathead and bream off the jetty at Callala Bay. You can throw a line... right into the South Pacific Ocean in most areas of Callala Beach, as the waves coming into Jervis Bay are so gentle as to be almost non-existent, and you can find all sorts of aquatic creatures coming right up to the shore.

Lunch at Club Callala

The go-to casual dining lunch and dinner spot of the area, Club Callala contains the Beach & Bay Bistro Callala, open every day for lunch. While you’re... there, have a game of friendly, easy golf and play your choice of nine or eighteen holes. The course is fantastic for learners, where plenty of native wildlife roams around including kangaroos. It is a top spot for social groups as there is a large undercover barbecue area and a bistro on the premises to purchase lunch or dinner, and a courtesy bus that operates all week long.

Callala Markets

On the second Saturday of every month, get along to the Callala Markets, a local community market that actively raises funds and supports local community... groups. Browse homewares, bespoke jewellery, local pottery, handmade candles and crocheted items, and much, much more. Grab gifts and souvenirs to take home while supporting local creators and businesses and enjoying your morning coffee.

Surfing and Swimming

Unlike the protected beaches of Jervis Bay that feel like one big, beautiful lake, Culburra Beach and Warrain Beach face directly out onto the ocean, making them perfect for surfers looking to catch... waves. Stretching for 3.7km total, there’s plenty of room across both beaches for surfing – bring your boards from home or hire a board and a wetsuit from Culburra Beach Surf School & Hire.

If you’ve never learned how to balance on the waves, enrol in a short class to learn the trick, or hire bodyboards for a day of easy fun instead. For families wanting a stress-free swim, take the kids to Tilbury Cove near Penguin Head Lookout between the two beaches, and relax in the calm swell with a playground nearby.

• +61 435 336 195
• 164 Penguins Head Road, Culburra Beach NSW, Australia
• www.culburrabeachsurfschool.com/services

Crookhaven Heads

Explore the idyllic little headland and the Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse at the north end of Culburra Beach, constructed of timber in 1882 and now an endangered lighthouse. The walk to get there from... the carpark is a relatively easy fifteen minutes through bush, grassland and rocks, and whilst the lighthouse itself is unassuming, the views along the way and at the end are worth the short trip, and perfect for a picnic spot.

If you’re a fisher, head to the Crookhaven Heads Boat Ramp to watch the boats coming and going and take your pick from three wharves for a chance of hooking your own or simply take a stroll along the waters edge later in the day for some spectacular sunsets.

• 1300 662 808
• Crookhaven Heads Tourist Park, Prince Edward Avenue, Culburra Beach NSW, Australia
• www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/jervis-bay-and-shoalhaven/culburra-beach/attractions/crookhaven-heads-lighthouse

Fresh Seafood

In case catching and cleaning your own aquatic snacks isn’t your idea of a fun time, in that area is also the Crookhaven and Shoalhaven rivers, which are part of Australia’s Oyster Coast. Taste succulent... local oysters from Jim Wild’s Oyster Service at Greenwell Point, just a ten-minute drive away, or for convenience you can just head to The Little Snapper in Culburra Beach for oysters, mussels, and more fresh seafood with cheap cocktails.

Beers and Bites

Don’t think for a second that seafood is the only delicious sampling in Culburra Beach; Loco Lane Mexican Cantina & Cocktail Bar is a local favourite hole in the wall with tasty tapas and Mexican... margaritas, perfect for a night out with friends.

On weekend afternoons, check out The Common South Coast, the latest hangout for a cocktail or beers on tap. Championing the region’s best producers, taste the best of the local craft brews or their very own Penguin Head Brewing Co in the tap room. The venue offers casual eats and a cocktail and wine bar inside with a large outdoor beer garden and grassed area for families to enjoy alongside live local music acts.

• 0459 236 990
• 179 Prince Edward Avenue, Culburra Beach NSW, Australia
• locolane.com.au/

Monthly Markets

Culburra Beach has its own market on the first Sunday of each month at the Culburra Beach Community Centre and grounds. The markets are filled with local makers, growers and artists, where you can browse... clothes, woodwork, secondhand and handmade goods, and much more.

If one market isn’t enough, drive just a little bit inland to Pyree to check out the Pyree Art and Handmade Market run by Shoalhaven Potters on the fourth Sunday of the month, or keep an eye out for the next Handmade Shoalhaven at The Mill Marketplace, an indoor market embracing makers, creators, artists, and local businesses inside an 1830s brick mill.

• 0434 432 429
• Fred Evans Lane, Culburra Beach NSW, Australia
• www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/jervis-bay-and-shoalhaven/culburra-beach/events/culburra-beach-market