A Canberra girl’s guide to enjoying Jervis Bay solo | HerCanberra

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A Canberra girl’s guide to enjoying Jervis Bay solo

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A solo trip to Jervis Bay doesn’t have to be daunting, boring, and lonely – at least not when you have this guide!

Have you ever experienced the feeling that you just need to get away from all the chaos of  daily life, and just mentally reset yourself for a couple of days? Well, I sure did last year, and I immediately decided to do something about it by booking myself a four-day solo trip to Jervis Bay – the best decision I could have made for myself.

This guide sums up everything from what activities I did, what I enjoyed eating, to what beaches I got to explore. This way, when you book your own trip to Jervis Bay, you don’t have to spend HOURS doing the research on what to do like I did!

If you need a mental health break and you’re craving a coastal escape anytime soon, drive just 2.5 hours to Jervis Bay and fully indulge in the sunshine, the white sand beaches, and everything the area has to offer! By the end of it, there’ll be a pep in your step and a sense of clarity you’ve never felt before, and I call that The Jervis Effect!

Where to Eat

Image: Tim Bean Photography

5 Little Pigs (Huskisson)

Stop by 5 Little Pigs on your morning stroll in Huskisson, because you can grab a wholesome breakfast at this humble café!

If you want to make a quick pitstop, I’d highly recommend grabbing their egg and bacon roll with your choice of coffee and sit by the Huskisson Wharf to kickstart your day the ideal way.

If you’d rather dine in, the sourdough waffles are to-die-for because of how well balanced it is with the roasted peaches paired with mascarpone. If you prefer a savoury breakfast, you can’t go wrong with the big pig, which is their version of a big breakfast, or the Sichuan lamb with cold noodles, accompanied with a nutty sauce that’ll have you craving more after every bite.

66 Owen Street, Huskisson | @5littlepigs

The Salty Crab (Vincentia)

Looking for the best fish and chips in town? Look no further than The Salty Crab!

Without fail, I grab my lunch at The Salty Crab at least once when visiting Jervis Bay. The battered blue grenadier is always moist and flaky, the chips are crisp yet  slightly soggy (just the way I like it, I know, I’m weird like that) and covered in chicken salt upon request. I also always order a side of gravy, and to make this meal even more perfect, some light and crispy salt and pepper soft-shell crab.

Once you’ve ordered, I recommend running over to Woolies to grab some drinks and snacks, and by the time you get back, you can bring your feast over to Hyams Beach for the most ideal lunch you’ve ever had.

11/8 Moona Creek Road, Vincentia | facebook.com/saltycrabshack

Pasta Buoy (Huskisson)

I stumbled across Pasta Buoy when I was in search of a wholesome lunch to inhale on the beach – and luck was definitely on my side that day!

I ordered the Buoy Ragu Malfadine, which was a braised beef short rib ragu served with a thick pasta that perfectly grabbed onto that tasty sauce. Plus, they did not skimp on the cheese, so it was well worth every buck.

And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, I grabbed a takeaway clarified Pina Colada that was in a cute mason jar along with a mini tote bag for it – AMAZING, right?! And that Pina Colada was just the thing I needed for a hot day out on the beach. My score? A solid 10 out of 10 all-round!

60 Owen Street, Huskisson | @pastabuoy

Peter Eva Pizza (Huskisson)

If you love quality woodfire pizzas as much as I do, you have to pay a visit to Peter Eva Pizza! I’ve I’ve been to this restaurant a few times, and it’s always jam-packed.

To ensure you’re ready to order when you get there, I’d recommend trying the Salsiccia e Funghi garlic base pizza, which is perfectly topped with mozzarella cheese, tonnes of mushrooms, Italian sausage, and aromatic herbs – doesn’t that sound incredible?

The tiramisu is also rich and creamy if you’re looking for a knockout sweet treat post-pizza. And there you have it, a dinner idea guaranteed to hit the spot during your solo trip!

2/52 Owen Street, Huskisson | @peterevapizza

Stonegrill (Huskisson) 

To all the steak and seafood lovers out there, run like your life depends on it to Stonegrill when you have the chance!

This spot is popular amongst the locals because you get to stone grill high quality beef and seafood just the way you like it and eat it while it’s still piping hot. Doesn’t that sound like the dream?! There’s an array of beef cuts to choose from such as Wagyu, Rump steak, the T-Bone, and more! As for the seafood, there are scallops, New Zealand mussels, tiger prawns and fish fillets of the freshest kind for you to grill and feast on to your heart’s content.

Give this a try during your solo trip and expect to come back with all your family and friends to share this out-of-this-world dining experience!

48 Owen Street, Huskisson | @stonegrill_huskisson

What to Do

Image: Tim Bean Photography

Whale Watching

I strongly believe this is an activity you need to experience at least once in your life, so pop this on your bucket list!

I booked this whale watching experience on a whim and it was so worth it. Firstly, the scenery is just stunning during the boat ride, and for a moment you forget you’re even looking for whales! And while the 1.5-hour search is happening, the captain offers some fun facts about whales and Jervis Bay over the loudspeaker to keep you entertained.

But you may be wondering whether I ended up spotting a whale or not, and I’m proud to say…we sure did! I saw a glimpse of a humpback whale slightly above the surface, and while it was only for a split second, it was amazingly satisfying. And if you’re lucky, you could spot some dolphins as well, but alas, I didn’t have that kind of luck when I went!

15 Field Street, Huskisson | jervisbaywild.com.au

Huskisson Pictures

Travel back in time by visiting this gorgeous local cinema with a paper bag full of popcorn in hand!

Huskisson Pictures has been screening films to the Jervis Bay community since the 1950s, but the building itself was constructed in 1913 and originally used as a community hall. This gorgeous building’s exterior has also barely changed since its establishment, so you’re really seeing and stepping into a significant part of Jervis Bay’s history.

This is also a really affordable activity idea for your solo trip, with tickets at only $12 per person if you watch a movie during the day. Not only that, but the paper bags of popcorn really add to the charm of the place, and there’s even seat cushions available if you want to get extra comfy. Overall, I would say this is a must-try experience while you’re in Huskisson!

19 Sydney Street, Huskisson | huskipics.com.au

Explore Huskisson’s Shops

Sometimes the best thing to do when you’re visiting an unfamiliar place is to just go on an aimless stroll to discover and browse inside the local stores.

I ended up spending a few hours exploring Huskisson’s shops, chatting with the store owners about their restaurant recommendations, and buying locally made products such as jewellery and skincare that have served me well since!

Some stores I would highly recommend you check out are:

  • Husky Emporium – Lots of knick knacks, jewellery, crystals, and clothing.
  • Beyond the Beach – Stylish and high-quality pieces of clothing, accessories, and home décor.
  • White Earth Huskisson – Australian-made beauty products, and even grooming products for your furry friends.
  • BooBook on Owen – A charming local bookstore for all the bookworms out there.
  • Weekends by Beyond the Beach – Trendy and summery clothing, accessories, and jewellery, along with aesthetic homeware.

Picnic at The Huskisson Wharf

Make some time during your trip to bring a picnic blanket, takeaway some breakfast or lunch, find a spot on the grass at the Huskisson Wharf, and enjoy the view. And while you’re at it, whip out your camera and take some photos of the breathtaking scenery of the rocking boats at the dock and the glowing seascape.

Once you experience this for yourself, you’ll understand when I say this instantly makes you feel like you don’t have a care in the world and can  be fully present in the moment.

Currambene Street, Huskisson

What Beaches to Explore

Image: Tim Bean Photography

Hyams Beach

This popular beach is honestly one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. The sand is almost as white as snow, the water is clear and calm, and there’s plenty of space for you to set up your cabana and towel for a good sun-bake session if it isn’t too crowded.

Just be aware that Hyams Beach can get busy, but even so, everyone’s there for a good time so you’ll likely love it like everyone else!

Chinamans Beach

A five-minute walk to the left of Hyams Beach is Chinamans Beach, which happens to be an incredible option if you’re looking for somewhere quieter. You’ll know you’re at the right place when you have to go down some wooden steps covered in foliage, and once you get to the bottom, there’s a dark pond to your right.

Honestly, I end up here more often than Hyams Beach because it’s just as gorgeous and there’s rarely a crowd, so it’ll be the ideal conditions for you to laze around, read a book, spend some time in the water, and enjoy the sun unapologetically.

Shark Net Beach

If you’re already in Huskisson and you want to spend some time at an intimate beach, Shark Net is a fantastic option. I spent a day here with some takeaway lunch and a book, and it was a dream. You’re surrounded by trees, shining rocks on the shore, calm waters, soft sand, and very few people – what more could you ask for?!

Huskisson Beach

Another white sand beach that isn’t quite as busy as Hyams but has everything you could ask for and more. Huskisson Beach stretches out quite far, so you could go on a nice walk along the beach and do some exploring, or alternatively, lie down on the sand and read a book like I did. You could go for an easy swim too since the water is by no means aggressive and just soak in the sunshine and fresh air.

Collingwood Beach

My cousins and I stumbled across this beach when the road to Hyams was closed off due to being overcrowded, and boy did we hit the lottery with Collingwood Beach!

The sand is still just as white as Hyams, the water was so calm it was practically flat, and it was perfectly quiet and peaceful. And not only that, but there were also the most colourful and intricate seashells that I’ve ever seen that decorated the shore. So of course, we had to build a sandcastle COVERED in these shells. By the end of it, our inner child was completely and utterly satisfied by our creation, so I would highly encourage that you do the same or even take a couple of those beautiful seashells home as a souvenir.

Feature image: Tim Bean Photography

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