How To Visit Hole In The Wall, Jervis Bay (& Scottish Rocks)

Hole in the Wall in Jervis Bay is one of the easiest natural attractions to visit in Booderee National Park. By doing a short and simple bush walk, you’ll emerge at Hole in the Wall Beach, from where you can view, and access if the tide allows, this brilliant rock formation.

In this guide, we’ll run down everything you need to know, including photography ideas and also visiting the Scottish Rocks, which are right next door.

But first, what is Hole in the Wall in Jervis Bay?

Read Jervis Bay Walks: 13 Easy Hikes Not To Miss

What Is Hole in the Wall, Jervis Bay?

Hole in the Wall is one of the best rock attractions inside Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay. At the northeast end of Hole in the Wall Beach (yes, named after the attraction), the sandstone rock wall juts out into Jervis Bay. Once upon a time, the sandstone had eroded to form a hole in its middle. However, subsequent erosion led to its collapse. Now, Hole in the Wall Jervis Bay is a U-shaped gap in the rock wall, which is still just as mesmerising to look at, and photograph.

Where Is Hole in the Wall in Jervis Bay?

Hole in the Wall is located on the northern edge of Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay. The incredible rock formation sits between Green Patch Beach and Murrays Beach, and is right next door to another popular attraction – Scottish Rocks.

Feel free to click on the interactive map below to help plan your journey.

How to Get to Hole in the Wall, Jervis Bay

You’ll need to enter Booderee National Park to visit Hole in the Wall in Jervis Bay. Although often assumed to be part of NSW, this part of Jervis Bay and the whole of Booderee belongs to the ACT. As such, you’ll need to purchase a specific park pass to enter.

The easiest way to get to Booderee National Park, and then to Hole in the Wall in Jervis Bay, is by driving. That’s because there is no public transport within Booderee National Park. The only way to get around the park is by driving, cycling, or boating. Although, Parks Australia does state it’s possible to walk around the park. But, you’ll be in for some long sections of road walking. Certainly, it’s best to drive.

Please note: the two-day Parks Pass costs $13 and can be purchased online before you arrive, at the entrance gates or using the QR codes dotted around the national park once you’ve arrived. If you’re camping, the Parks Pass is included in the camping fee. Additionally, the national park is free to enter for walkers and cyclists. You can find more information on the Parks Australia website.

Hole in the Wall Jervis Bay Parking

Once inside Booderee National Park, you’ll continue along Jervis Bay Road. Once you’ve passed Bristol Point, you’re close. Look out for signage on the right-hand side of the road. Parking is on the left.

The Hole in the Wall Car Park is a small patch of unpaved ground. It’s essentially a large lay-by with room for around a dozen vehicles. But, given the short walk to the attraction, the turnaround of visitors is fairly quick. So, you shouldn’t struggle for a spot.

Hole in the Wall Walking Track

To the left of the car park, a sign indicates the start of the walk. It’s just 400 metres of fairly even gravel to reach Hole in the Wall Beach, Jervis Bay. Although Dan and I are usually kitted out in head-to-toe hiking gear at any sniff of a walk, we decided this was fine in the old flip-flops. And it is. However, if you want to be uber cautious about snakes and ticks etc, then pop some closed-toe shoes on. And don’t judge us!

The short trail is picturesque and peaceful as it gently descends towards the coast. Keep a look out for wildlife and be sure to soak in the Booderee atmosphere!

Soon enough, the trail opens up onto Jervis Bay and a small grassy patch. There’s another sign to signal your arrival. But, Hole in the Wall is still a distance off. Head onto the beach and you’ll see!

Hole in the Wall Beach

As you walk down onto Hole in the Wall Beach, you’ll see that the Jervis Bay attraction you came for is on the far east side of the beach. Now, depending on the tide levels, this will determine how close you can get to the attraction. For Dan and I, viewing Jervis Bay’s Hole in the Wall from a distance was to be as good as it gets.

Trying to reach Hole in the Wall by walking along the beach at high tide proved rather futile. To add difficulty to the challenge, the thick seaweed was boggy and some patches of sand seemed unstable at best. To that end, we recommend only trying to reach the sandstone formation at low tide. This way, it should be much easier to hug the coastline/paddle a little to reach the Hole in the Wall Jervis Bay.

You can check the tide times for Jervis Bay on Willy Weather.

Hole in the Wall Photography

Given the uninterrupted location of Hole in the Wall, as it juts out into Jervis Bay, it’s understandably a popular photography spot. This is especially true at sunrise. Looking towards Hole in the Wall from the beach points east, and so it’s perfect for trying to capture the sun as it rises through the ‘hole in the wall’. Of course, be sure to visit early in the morning to capture the sunrise.

Hole in the Wall, Jervis Bay Camping

Although Booderee National Park is full of amazing camping spots, there aren’t any at Hole in the Wall, Jervis Bay. Instead, you’ll find the closest campgrounds are Green Patch Campground and Bristol Point Campground.

Read more: A Quick Guide To Booderee National Park Camping

Scottish Rocks

Another popular attraction that’s very easy to visit nearby is Scottish Rocks. These unusual low rocky mounds are scattered along the shoreline at the easternmost point of Bristol Point Beach, and just west of Jervis Bay’s Hole in the Wall.

Access to the beach and rocks is via a similar trail to that of Hole in the Wall and is around 300 metres long. There’s also a similar parking situation, with a small Scottish Rocks Car Park with room for a dozen cars located just off the side of the road.

Snorkelling and swimming around Scottish Rocks is a wonderful experience. The water is crystal clear and calm. The marine life will blow you away too. Expect to intrepidly hunt for sea dragons and sea stars. The super lucky might even see turtles. Additionally, keep a look out for stingrays and a whole host of colourful fish.

Getting to Jervis Bay

Heading to Jervis Bay is a popular getaway for Sydneysiders. It’s also very straightforward and takes just 2–3 hours to drive. You’ll follow the M1 south down to Bomaderry, before picking up the A1 Jervis Bay Road. Follow this directly to Booderee National Park. If you want to break up the journey and make a longer trip itinerary out of heading down to Jervis Bay, then we recommend stopping at Killalea Regional Park, Kiama and Huskisson.

As mentioned, if you’re keen to explore more of Booderee National Park, then it’s certainly beneficial to have your own vehicle.

To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.

Read more: How To Get From Sydney To Jervis Bay

Public Transport

If you don’t have your own vehicle and really don’t want to hire one, then it’s possible to take public transport to Jervis Bay from Sydney. But, be warned, with a total journey time of just over five hours and three transport changes, it’s not a quick trip.

You’ll first take the train from Sydney to Kiama. At Kiama, you’ll take the bus to Bomaderry. Then, from Bomaderry, take the #103 bus to Hyams Beach. From Hyams Beach, you’ll need to walk (or cycle) almost 4km to the Booderee National Park entrance. And then, you’ll need to walk to Hole in the Wall, Jervis Bay.

You can check public transport options at TransportNSW. But, in reality, driving is a much better option.

What to Pack

The walk to Hole in the Wall in Jervis Bay is very simple and straightforward. But, we do recommend packing the swimmers and towel in case you fancy a dip, as well as water, sunscreen and snacks. There are plenty of wonderful coastal attractions and walks in Booderee National Park, and so below are examples of the gear we travelled with.

To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.

Other Things to Do at Booderee National Park

Booderee National Park is jam-packed full of natural attractions and beautiful beaches. Below are some of our favourites. Additionally, be sure to head into the Booderee National Park Visitor Centre as you arrive for any extra information about wildlife, walks and attractions.

• Iluka Beach: perfect for swimming and bathing as well as seeing Jervis Bay’s bioluminescence. 
• Murrays Beach: a popular beach complete with a cave, lookout and coastal walks.
• Cave Beach: wild and rugged, this spectacular beach is home to an incredible sea cave.
• Green Patch Beach: a stunning beach with arguably the best campsite at Booderee.
• Steamers Beach: enjoy a 2km trail to this secluded beach. Also, check out Brooks Lookout.
• Cape St. George Lighthouse: on the eastern edge of the national park are the ruins of a 19th-century lighthouse.
• Booderee Botanic Gardens: check out the local flora of Booderee.

Read more: Booderee National Park: 12 Must-See Attractions

Be sure to bookmark or save this post ready for your trip to Booderee National Park.

We acknowledge and respect the First Nations people as the Traditional Custodians of the land/water that we visited and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.