How To Visit Honeymoon Bay In Jervis Bay, NSW

Honeymoon Bay is a spectacular small bay on Jervis Bay in NSW, Australia. Certainly, the picturesque bay’s name precedes it, with Dan and I hearing nothing but good things about Honeymoon Bay and its sublime beachside camping location. But, despite being fairly well known, Honeymoon Bay remains somewhat quiet. That’s because visiting can be a little tricky.

Lying on the Beecroft Peninsula, the majority of which forms part of the Beecroft Weapons Range, access is restricted by the Royal Australian Navy to weekends only. And, even weekends can be subject to last-minute closures.

But, with a little planning and checking the right places, a visit to Honeymoon Bay, whether that be camping or day tripping, can be very straightforward, not to mention worthwhile. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to plan your trip.

Read Jervis Bay Walks: 13 Easy Hikes Not To Miss

About Honeymoon Bay, Jervis Bay

Honeymoon Bay is a small wine glass-shaped beach in the Beecroft Peninsula of Jervis Bay, NSW. Indeed, Dan and I were quite surprised by just how small Honeymoon Bay is. Walking through the pretty coastal bush you’ll enter onto a compact sweeping curve of golden sand. Backed by coastal forest and a perfectly well-hidden camping site, Honeymoon Bay is truly splendid, even with a grey day as we experienced.

Positioned along the eastern side of Jervis Bay, the sheltered cove enjoys calm and clear waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Additionally, you can enjoy coastal walks from the beach stretching down to the southern tip of the Beecroft Peninsula. For sure, you’ll find more beautiful coves and bays along here.

As mentioned, Honeymoon Bay falls within the Royal Australian Navy territory of the Beecroft Weapons Range. The peninsula has been used by the Royal Australian Navy for weapons and training purposes since the 1800s. Because of this, Honeymoon Bay and the surrounding camping facility are only open when the range is not being used for Defence purposes. This generally means weekends only.

So, how do you even visit then?

How to Visit Honeymoon Bay, NSW

Well, visiting Honeymoon Bay just requires a little planning and a few questions fired off in the right places. Below, we’ll run through some top tips for visiting Honeymoon Bay, camping and exploring more of the Beecroft Peninsula. That way, you’ll avoid rocking up when the peninsula is closed!

Where Is Honeymoon Bay, NSW?

Honeymoon Bay is located on the western edge of the Beecroft Peninsula and is part of the Beecroft Weapons Range. The nearest large town is Currarong.

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

When Is Honeymoon Bay Open?

Visiting Honeymoon Bay isn’t as easy as simply rocking up and parking at the beach. You’ll need to stay informed and check on a few details before accessing the Beecroft Peninsula. Before Dan and I visited, we made sure to check the most up-to-date information online.

For this, we recommend checking the Beecroft Weapons Range and Peninsula Facebook page, as this is one of the most reliable and up-to-date sources of information regarding opening times and sudden closures. Dan and I sent a message via Facebook and they replied to confirm Beecroft Peninsula, Honeymoon Bay and the campground would all be open the weekend we planned to visit.

Alternatively, you can call the military base on +61 2 4448 3411.

As a rule, the Beecroft Peninsula is open to the public on weekends only. Camping at Honeymoon Bay is also restricted to a Friday and Saturday night. It’s also important to note that entry isn’t 24 hours. The opening hours are as follows.

• Friday: 1pm–8:30pm // Last entry 6pm
• Saturday: 4am–8:30pm // Last entry 6pm
• Sunday: 4am–8:30pm // Last entry 6pm

If you’re camping at Honeymoon Bay, then check-in is between 12pm and 6pm. You can read more about camping at Honeymoon Bay here.

Also, Beecroft Peninsula can be closed to day visitors if parking is full, so aim to arrive early, especially during peak periods.

Honeymoon Bay Entry Fee

Honeymoon Bay, NSW is completely free to visit. You don’t need a day pass, parks pass or any other pass to enter. Simply, you’ll drive through the entry gates, where you’ll be greeted by a member of the Australian Navy. You’ll be given a map of the area as well as suggested things to do and places to park.

How to Get to Honeymoon Bay, NSW

After passing through the entrance gates to Beecroft Peninsula, you’ll head straight on Lighthouse Road for around 4km. At this point, you’ll turn right onto Honeymoon Bay Road. Continue along here until you reach the car park at the end.

It’s worth mentioning the driving conditions around the Beecroft Weapons Range. For the most part, roads are unsealed and have some corrugations. Although not extreme, if you’re in a 2WD, like us, you’ll probably be driving quite slowly.

Otherwise, in terms of navigation, getting to Honeymoon Bay, NSW, and other attractions around Beecroft Peninsula is very straightforward.

There are no public transport options for getting around Beecroft Weapons Range and for accessing Honeymoon Bay, NSW. For that reason, we recommend visiting with your own vehicle.

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

Honeymoon Bay Parking

There is a large car park at the end of Honeymoon Bay Road. This is for day visitors. The car park is also used to access Bindijine Beach and can hold around 60 vehicles.

From Honeymoon Bay Car Park, you’ll follow a roadside path that leads to the bay, which lies a little around the corner.

For those camping at Honeymoon Bay, you’ll pass through the car park and continue down the road to the campground.

What to Do at Honeymoon Bay?

Honeymoon Bay is one of the most picturesque locations around Jervis Bay. From relaxing on its golden sands, exploring the calm waters, beach hopping further along the coast or spending the night camping in this beautiful location, you’ll find something that floats your boat. Let’s take a look.

1. Swimming and Snorkelling

The enclosed nature of Honeymoon Bay means the waters here generally remain calm and gentle. In addition, the depth of the water is relatively shallow before it squeezes through the narrow inlet and out into Jervis Bay. This means it’s perfect for families or those less confident with open-water swimming.

Given the rock coverage around the mouth opening of Honeymoon Bay, there’s plenty in the way of marine life to explore too. So, as expected, snorkelling is a very popular activity.

2. Hit the Walking Tracks

If you want to explore more of the pristine beauty of the Honeymoon Bay area, then you should explore some of the surrounding walking tracks. It’s easy enough to walk through the coastal forest to Bindijine Beach, which is a matter of minutes away. But, to really stretch the legs, consider walking the Target Beach Track, which heads south and to the southern tip of Beecroft Peninsula.

Target Beach Track

• Type: Out & Back
• Distance: 5.5km
• Time: 1.5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead: Honeymoon Bay Beach
• Map: AllTrails

From the southern end of Honeymoon Bay, follow the trail that descends into the forest. The slightly undulating track heads south, before emerging at the beautiful Target Beach. If you want to head somewhere with fewer people, then consider this walk.

In addition, the clearly marked trails make it easy to visit Silica Cove, which is also nearby.

3. Picnic at Honeymoon Bay Day Area

If sandy sangas aren’t for you, then you’re in luck. Honeymoon Bay’s perfectly positioned picnic area means it still feels like you’re on the beach, just minus the sand. Heading back up the short pathways leading to the beach is an area of sheltered parkland with picnic benches. With tree-framed views across Honeymoon Bay and out into Jervis Bay, you’ll struggle to find a more picturesque spot for lunch.

Additionally, the picnic area is just a stone’s throw from the campsite, so you can utilise the prime location as you watch the sunset, or sunrise, over Jervis Bay.

Camping at Honeymoon Bay

Of course, camping at Honeymoon Bay is one of the most popular reasons to visit. It’s also the only place within the Beecroft Weapons Range that you’re allowed to camp. The Honeymoon Bay Campground is perfectly concealed within the coastal forest surrounding the small cove. It’s a basic campsite but is a wonderful place to experience a quiet night, immersed in nature.

Sites are numbered and allocated. Amenities include basic bush toilets and a recycling area. There is NO drinking water available at the campground, so bring your own. You can purchase from Currarong before you enter, or you can refill bottles from the Visitor Centre.

There’s also a strict code of conduct when it comes to camping at Honeymoon Bay, so you’ll want to familiarise yourself with many of these rules before you go. Again, they can be found on the Beecroft Facebook page.

Also, keep a lookout for wildlife, especially the friendly kangaroos you’ll likely be sharing your pitch with.

How to Book Honeymoon Bay Campground

Camping at Honeymoon Bay has to be booked online before you arrive. Apparently, it’s no longer possible to just show up. However, there is contradictory information online as to whether unallocated sites still exist. If you want to chance showing up last minute for an overnight stay, I would recommend messaging the Beecroft Weapons Range Facebook page and asking the question.

Payment for camping is made on arrival at the Visitor Centre. The centre is open for camping payment from 12pm to 6pm.

During the summer, camping at Honeymoon Bay is incredibly popular and opens via a ballot system. The ballot is open from 1st July to 31st August each year.

To book a campsite at Honeymoon Bay, you can head to the Defence’s website or the Beecroft Weapons Range and Peninsula Facebook page.

How to Get to the Honeymoon Bay Campground

Once you’ve driven down Honeymoon Bay Road and reached the day visitor car park, continue through the car park and the road will wind up at the campground. It’s advised that day visitors shouldn’t park at the campground and should stay at the day visitor car park only.

Camping Rates For Honeymoon Bay

At the moment, the standard rates for camping at Honeymoon Bay, NSW are $15 per site, per night for up to two people. There is an additional $5 per person, per night if there are more than two in your party. Children under 16 can camp for free.

Other Accommodation Options in Jervis Bay

If you want to visit Honeymoon Bay but prefer not to camp at the weapons range, then check out some of our other accommodation guides for Jervis Bay.

• A Quick Guide To Booderee National Park Camping
• Camping Jervis Bay: 7 Stunning Coastal Campsites
• Top 8 Jervis Bay Cabins For A Unique and Memorable Stay
• Jervis Bay Glamping: 5 Sites For The Perfect South Coast Trip

Staying Safe

Apart from the friendly officer you’ll meet at the entrance to Beecroft Peninsula, you’ll scarcely know you’re on an active weapons range. Indeed, Honeymoon Bay couldn’t look further removed from a military training facility. Nevertheless, the Royal Australian Navy recommend heeding a few precautions.

• Don’t tamper with anything: basically, if you come across any unexploded ammunition (known as UXO – unexploded ordnance), then don’t touch it. Make a note of its location and let staff know by returning to the entrance guardhouse. But, just to be clear, this is very rare.
• Stick to paths: following on from the above, it’s even more important to stick to designated roads and coastal paths. Don’t wander off any trails or enter any prohibited areas.

Well, basically that’s about it. And to be honest, those points go without saying anyway. But still, as a Defence training facility, it’s important to stay safe, and following the above guidelines should ensure that.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Honeymoon Bay is undoubtedly the most well-known natural attraction at Beecroft Peninsula. But, there’s plenty more to see on your trip. Below are some places to consider visiting.

• Point Perpendicular Lighthouse
• Outer Tubes
• Silica Cove
• Target Beach
• Bindijine Beach
• Figtree Bay

Getting to Honeymoon Bay and Jervis Bay

Heading to Honeymoon Bay and wider Jervis Bay from Sydney is very popular. It’s also very straightforward and takes just 2.5–3 hours to drive. You’ll follow the M1 south down to Nowra, before heading east onto Greenwell Point Road and then Currarong Road.

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.

Read more: How To Get From Sydney To Jervis Bay

Public Transport

Although it’s technically possible to take public transport from Sydney to Currarong and the Beecroft Peninsula, we don’t recommend it. The journey is time-consuming. Plus, public transport can be limited. Of course, if you’re camping, considering all the gear you’ll likely take, public transport isn’t really a viable option.

But, if you’re just visitng for a day trip and need to take public transport, this is how. You’ll need to take the train from Sydney to Kiama, before picking up the bus to Bomaderry and Nowra. From Nowra, you can take a bus to Currarong. But, once you get to Currorong, you’ll then have to walk to the Beecroft Weapons Range, and then again, walk along the long roads within to reach the attractions.

Certainly, it’s best to drive.

FAQs

Below, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about camping and visiting Honeymoon Bay in Jervis Bay, NSW.

When Is Honeymoon Bay Open?

Generally, the beach is open on most weekends and closed during the week for military purposes. See the When Is Honeymoon Bay Open section for more information.

Why Is Honeymoon Bay in Jervis Bay Closed?

It can close for Defence purposes as well as adverse weather and road conditions.

Can You Visit Honeymoon Bay, NSW?

Yes. And it’s certainly worth it. Just be sure to visit on a weekend and double-check for any unexpected closures.

Are Dogs Allowed at Honeymoon Bay in Jervis Bay?

No. You can’t bring your dog, or any other animal, for that matter.

Bonus Tips

• Things you can’t do: you cannot fly drones, spear fish or remove local flora or fauna.
• More walks: be sure to check the information sheet you’ll get on arrival for all of the excellent walks to do in the area.
• Other Honeymoon Bays: there are plenty more beaches with the same name in Australia, including in Tasmania and Western Australia.

Be sure to bookmark or save this post so you’re ready for your day trip or camping trip to Honeymoon Bay, NSW.

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.