A three hour drive south of Sydney brings you to the supremely picturesque Jervis Bay. Thought to possess the whitest sand in the world, Jervis Bay is easily one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in New South Wales, if not the whole of Australia. Beach hopping is a must. As too is wildlife spotting, given the bay has some incredible marine life, like dolphins and penguins! So, there’s plenty to entice you down. But, if like us, you love a good hike, then Jervis Bay won’t disappoint, with sublime coastal walks aplenty.
So, in the below guide, we’ll run through 13 of the best hikes and walks to do in Jervis Bay, that are short, easy and unbelievably stunning.
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13 Best Jervis Bay Walks Overview
In this guide, we’ll detail 13 of the best easy walks and hikes to do in Jervis Bay. Spread around the whole of the Jervis Bay area, from Hyams Beach, Beecroft Peninsula, Booderee National Park and Morton National Park, they’ll give you a really varied experience of all the beauty in this part of New South Wales.
Indeed, coastal bush walks merge seamlessly onto powder white sand beaches. Rugged cliffs create dramatic backdrops with secret cave openings. Certainly, walks around Jervis Bay are beyond spectacular. It’s also worth noting, that this is one destination where you’ll be hiking with your towel and swimmers, because you won’t be able to resist a dip in Jervis Bay as you walk past, or through, each paradise-like beach.
In addition, the 13 Jervis Bay walks we’ll discuss are short and easy, perfect for a relaxed getaway, as well as being family-friendly.
Below, we’ll quickly list the walks by area. You can either click the link on each trail to shoot down to the description of that particular walk or keep reading on. Also, feel free to check out our interactive map showing the location of each Jervis Bay hike to help plan your trip.
Walks in Jervis Bay National Park
As one of the main draw cards of a visit to Jervis Bay, you’ll be pleased to hear there are a handful of lovely walks to experience the natural beauty around Hyams Beach, within Jervis Bay National Park. Certainly, these Jervis Bay walks are especially good if you want to escape the masses that flock to Hyams Beach in the warmer months. The sand certainly is pure white, and it’s easy to see why some have given it the accolade of the ‘whitest sand in the world’. But, with fame comes popularity, and so Hyams Beach has very much turned into a tourist hot spot.
Below, are three Jervis Bay walks you can complete around Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay National Park to escape the crowds.
Jervis Bay Walks in Booderee National Park
Booderee National Park sits at the southern end of Jervis Bay and offers the most extraordinary laid-back coastal experience. Here, crystal-clear waters meet brilliant white sand. Coastal forests sublimely back each beach, with exquisite Jervis Bay walks joining the dots in between.
These Jervis Bay walks are located in Booderee National Park.
- Munyunga Waraga Dhugan Trail
- Governor Head Lookout
- Hole in the Wall Walk
- Scottish Rocks Walk
- Telegraph Creek Nature Trail
- Steamers Beach Track
Jervis Bay Walks in Beecroft Peninsula
The Beecroft Peninsula sits at the northeastern headland of Jervis Bay. Perfectly layered sheets of rock make up its tall cliffs, and sea erosion has created secret caves to adventure through. From here, you can visit the layered rock face and sparkling blue waters of Mermaid Inlet and crawl through the dark Gosangs Tunnel for wonderful ocean views.
The paths on the Jervis Bay walks here are well laid out. The terrain is very simple, made up of mostly gravel or dirt. The below hikes in Jervis Bay are located in the Beecroft Peninsula.
Jervis Bay Walks in Morton National Park
The breathtaking Morton National Park is a stunning landscape of waterfalls, bush hikes and general gorgeous scenery, located west and inland of Jervis Bay. Indeed, some of our all-time favourite NSW waterfalls, such as Fitzroy Falls and Belmore Falls lie within this fantastic national park.
Below are two waterfall walks in Morton National Park that can be easily visited from Jervis Bay.
Now, let’s jump into some brief trail descriptions and stats.
1. White Sands Walk
- Type: Out & Back
- Distance: 8km
- Time: 2-3 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Plantation Point, Vincentia
- Map: AllTrails
If you have limited time for walks in Jervis Bay, then be sure to prioritise the White Sands Walk. This is easily one of the most beautiful coastal routes you’ll come across, anywhere. The standard walk, falling within Jervis Bay National Park, begins at Greenfield Beach and heads south to Hyams Beach. However, we recommend starting the White Sands Walk at Plantation Point in Vincentia and following the trail down to Hyams Beach from there.
As you soak in your surroundings, you’ll pass through four dreamy white sand beaches (Nelsons Beach, Blenheim Beach, Greenfield Beach and Chinamans Beach), all as beautiful as each other, before reaching renowned Hyams Beach. Famed for having the whitest sand on the planet (we’ll leave judgment to you) – we can confirm that the sand is super white! The bush trails are kept in immaculate condition and tease views of the stunning turquoise waters of Jervis Bay as you walk.
During the summer, you can treat yourself to a refreshing dip in the sea at each stop along this walk in Jervis Bay. In contrast, winter brings a peaceful charm you’ll struggle to find at any other time of year. The crisp air rolling in from the sea and the low-lying sunlight over the bright white sand transform Jervis Bay from a bustling beach resort to a secluded retreat.
Read more: White Sands Walk – 3 Beautiful Trail Options To Explore Jervis Bay


2. Scribbly Gum Track
- Type: Loop
- Distance: 1.5km
- Time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Greenfield Beach Picnic Area
- Map: NSW National Parks
Jervis Bay’s Scribbly Gum Track is a quaint coastal bush walk of around 1.5km, beginning from Greenfield Beach. The small loop forms an easy circuit up through a light forest, featuring some truly impressive trees. Keep your eyes peeled for the Scribbly Gum. These trees are like nothing I’ve seen before and are genuine natural etch-a-sketches! The Scribbly Gum is a type of eucalyptus tree that attracts moth larvae that produce the ‘scribbles’ as they burrow through the bark. You’ll spot them all around as you take the aptly named Scribbly Gum Track through the bush.
A popular route variation is to add the short Scribbly Gum Track onto the White Sands Walk. That’s what Dan and I did and it was the perfect supplement to an already outstanding walk in Jervis Bay.
Read more: White Sands Walk – The Scribbly Gum Track


3. Hyams Beach Trail
- Type: Loop
- Distance: 2km
- Time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Greenfield Beach Picnic Area
- Map: AllTrails
Once you’ve made it to Hyams Beach, you might consider the short Hyams Beach Trail. Also known as the ‘Bird Spotter’s Walk’, this 2km walk in Jervis Bay runs parallel to Hyams Beach, passing through Jervis Bay National Park’s dense coastal bush, where you might spot eastern and crimson rosellas, holland honey-eaters and eastern spinebills. To add to the tranquility of the trail, you’ll hear the peaceful waters of Jervis Bay lapping the white sand on the other side of the tree cover.
Beginning at the end of Lister Drive, the walk curves through the bush before popping out onto Hyams Beach. From here, walk back up the beach to the trailhead. Alternatively, spend some time relaxing on Hyams Beach first. It’s long enough to house the masses that flock here, with gentle waves in the turquoise waters making bathing a relaxing experience.

4. Munyunga Waraga Dhugan Trail
- Type: Loop
- Distance: 5km
- Time: 1.5 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Murrays Beach Car Park
- Map: AllTrails
The Munyunga Waraga Dhugan Trail, AKA Murrays Trail, is a picturesque coastal walk beginning from Murrays Beach in Booderee National Park. The loop walk gives visitors to Jervis Bay the chance to spot wildlife, learn about the culture and history of the Indigenous peoples of the area, and enjoy getting back to nature. There are 14 signs along the self-guided circuit, providing information and points of interest. Walking early in the morning will provide some of the best chances of seeing Booderee National Park wildlife.
Heading along the coastal walk in a clockwise direction, you can stop at Governor Head Lookout and Devil’s Elbow, before looping back through bush and forest to the car park. If you’d rather stay on the coast, then consider making this walk an out and back, returning the way you came once you reach Devil’s Elbow.
Read more: The Complete Guide To Murrays Beach, Jervis Bay

5. Governor Head Lookout
- Type: Out & Back
- Distance: 2.2km
- Time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Murrays Beach Car Park
- Map: AllTrails
If you don’t have time for the full Munyunga Waraga Dhugan Trail, then from Murrays Beach there’s a lovely out-and-back walk to Governor Head Lookout, occupying the southern tip of Jervis Bay.
From the Murrays Beach Car Park, follow the trail towards the beach, continuing the walk past the beach opening and on to Governor Head Lookout. The easy trail winds through the typical coastal forest of Jervis Bay, before emerging at the northeastern point of Booderee National Park, which is where you’ll find Governor Head Lookout.
The lookout provides awesome views across to Bowen Island, which, surprisingly (to me anyway) is home to a colony of little penguins.
Read more: Murrays Beach Walks

6. Hole in the Wall Walk
- Type: Out & Back
- Distance: 1km
- Time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Hole in the Wall Car Park
- Map: AllTrails
One of the best bang-for-buck short walks in Jervis Bay is the trail to Hole in the Wall in Booderee National Park. The easy trail winds its way from the roadside car park along Jervis Bay Road and down to Hole in the Wall Beach. From the beach, you’ll spot the impressive rock formation at the eastern end. The only way to reach Hole in the Wall is by walking along the beach. The trail doesn’t really continue through the bush behind the beach. So, with that being said, you’ll want to check tide times before walking to Jervis Bay’s Hole in the Wall.
Read more: How To Visit Hole In The Wall, Jervis Bay (& Scottish Rocks)

7. Scottish Rocks Walk
- Type: Out & Back
- Distance: 600m
- Time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Scottish Rocks Car Park
- Map: Google
Whilst you’re stopping to walk to Hole in the Wall, you might as well call in at another Jervis Bay attraction here – Scottish Rocks. Located along the same stretch of Jervis Bay Road, this 600 metre return walk has a very similar feel to that of Hole in the Wall. You’ll descend to the glorious white sands that litter the coastline of Jervis Bay, from where you’ll turn right and walk towards the interesting rock formations lying in the shallow water.
These are the Scottish Rocks, and they’re quite wonderful. In addition, the marine life will blow you away. If you head out for a quick snorkel, expect to see sea dragons and sea stars. Indeed, if you’re super lucky, you might even see turtles.

8. Telegraph Creek Nature Trail
- Type: Loop
- Distance: 2km
- Time: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Green Patch Car Park
- Map: AllTrails
No trip to Booderee National Park is complete without visiting the sublime Green Patch Beach. There’s plenty to keep you entertained there. But, if you want to stretch your legs a little, then consider the nature-filled Telegraph Creek Nature Trail.
Passing through tall eucalypt forest, it’s a wonderful trail to spot the local flora and fauna. First thing in the morning (or even at dusk) is especially good for wildlife spotting. This Jervis Bay walk is signposted from the car park, so it’s easy to follow. Additionally, there is seating provided along the way, so you can sit and rest, or simply stop to relax and admire the wonderful environment.
Read more: Green Patch Beach, Jervis Bay – Top 6 Things To Do

9. Steamers Beach Track
- Type: Out & Back
- Distance: 5km
- Time: 2 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Steamers Beach Car Park
- Map: AllTrails
Our last Jervis Bay walk in Booderee National Park brings us to Steamers Beach Track. Steamers Beach is one of the only beaches in Booderee National Park that requires a fairly decent walk to get to. But, at 2.3km, it isn’t long. The well-maintained fire trail is very easy to navigate as you head south towards the beach. The only mildly tricky part is navigating the steep staircase down to the beach. But, certainly, you can enjoy the sweeping views of this rugged golden sand beach from the top if you wish.
The vivid golden sand of Steamers Beach curves gently along the coastline. It feels beautifully wild and super remote. Take caution though, the sea here can be rough and Steamers Beach isn’t recommended to swim in.
For a slightly longer route variation, be sure to visit Brooks Lookout along this Jervis Bay walk too.
Read more: Booderee National Park – 12 Must-See Attractions

10. Gosangs Tunnel & Mermaid Inlet
- Type: Out & Back
- Distance: 5km
- Time: 1.5 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Abrahams Bosom Car Park
- Map: AllTrails
Over on the Beecroft Peninsula, on the eastern side of Jervis Bay, is the wonderful Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaid Inlet Walk. An easy 5km trail through beautiful coastal bushland leads to a narrow slit in the rock face to reach one of the most fantastic cave lookouts in NSW. The wide cave window of Gosangs Tunnel frames the surrounding coast perfectly. Indeed, the views are quite breathtaking.
Next door to Gosangs Tunnel is Mermaid Inlet. This pastry layer-looking narrow inlet offers the chance to marvel at some really interesting and unusual rock geology. Thin slabs of rock stack haphazardly on top of one another, their secure structures seemingly defying physics as the wild azure waters of the Pacific Ocean crash against them. For a different side to Jervis Bay, be sure to walk this trail.
Also, if you want a longer route variation, then consider the Coomies Walk. Other places you’ll visit on this Jervis Bay walk, aside from Gosangs Tunnel and Mermaid Inlet, include Honeysuckle Point, HMS Merimbula shipwreck (Wreck Walk), and Lobster Bay.
Read more: Gosangs Tunnel Walk & Mermaids Inlet – Can You Still Visit?

11. Honeymoon Bay to Target Beach
- Type: Out & Back
- Distance: 5.5km
- Time: 1.5 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Honeymoon Bay Car Park
- Map: AllTrails
Heading across to the western side of Beecroft Peninsula is a beautiful coastal walk from Honeymoon Bay to Target Beach. From the southern end of Honeymoon Bay beach, the trail delves into the coastal forest, following a slightly undulating track as it heads south and emerges at the beautiful Target Beach. This is one of the quietest hikes in Jervis Bay and has a wonderfully remote and unspoiled feel to it.
I would class this as one of the more challenging walks in Jervis Bay in this guide. Although the walk itself is certainly not overly difficult. To extend the walk, you can follow track-side signage to Silica Cove, which is close to Target Beach.
Honeymoon Bay falls within the Beecroft Weapons Range, which means you’ll need to plan accordingly to ensure you can get to the bay to complete the walk. Typically, Honeymoon Bay and Beecroft Weapons Range are only open to the public at weekends. Although, some weekends it can be closed. You can find more information in our guide below.
Read more: How To Visit Honeymoon Bay In Jervis Bay, NSW

12. Tianjara Falls
- Type: Loop
- Distance: 200m
- Time: 5 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Tianjara Falls Car Park
- Map: AllTrails
Now onto some waterfalls! Tianjara Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Morton National Park, not far from Jervis Bay. Furthermore, Tianjara Falls is one of the easiest and most accessible walks in Jervis Bay. South of Nowra, and a little inland from the Jervis Bay coast, you’ll drive around 30 minutes along Braidwood Road to reach the Tianjara Falls Car Park. Then, there’s just a wonderful short and easy five minute walk to a fantastic viewing platform. From here, you can drool over the gorgeous waterfall plunging over a striking orange cliff wall.
The fenced-off platform provides stunning views of Tianjara Falls and the surrounding Ettrema Wilderness. The 64 metre plunge drops from a shelf of yellow and orange rock, a familiar sight within these mountainous regions. The steady stream of water flowing from the top showers down the cliff, gracefully. In contrast, after very wet weather the water is known to thunder over the mountainside. If you want to see Tianjara Falls in all its glory, visit after a period of heavy rain.
Read more: Tianjara Falls – Lookout, Parking and Directions

13. Granite Falls Walking Track
- Type: Out & Back
- Distance: 2km
- Time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead: Granite Falls Car Park
- Map: AllTrails
Granite Falls is another fantastic waterfall worth seeing on your trip to Jervis Bay. The walk to Granite Falls is longer than that of Tianjara Falls, but its location is quite something and feels more remote. You’ll need to drive down Tin Mine Road, which is 2WD accessible. At the end of the road, you’ll find a small car park where the Granite Falls Walking Track starts.
The walk quickly winds along a well-maintained path to a wooden platform overhanging the glorious Granite Falls. The water flows around 63 metres down a multi-coloured rock face into the depths below. But, be warned, this waterfall is prone to running dry. So, make sure you visit after a good amount of rainfall. Incredibly, the formation of Granite Falls began about 500 million years ago! Indeed, this is another Jervis Bay hike you don’t want to miss.
Read more: The 23 BEST Southern Highlands Waterfalls Near Kangaroo Valley

Great Walks Near Jervis Bay
There are certainly many other great hikes around Jervis Bay that are either slightly longer, more challenging or further afield. Below, we’ve listed some of the other best walks in the area.
- Booderee Circuit Trail (St George’s Head Circuit): a longer loop walk around the southern tip of Booderee National Park.
- Ben’s Walk: a pretty walk along Nowra Creek and Shoalhaven River to Hanging Rock Lookout.
- Pigeon House Mountain Walking Track: a challenging hike south of Jervis Bay to this mountain with panoramic views.
- Basin Foreshore Walk: a 10km walk around Sanctuary Point in Jervis Bay.
- Hare Point Walking Track: a moderate hike along the foreshore of Jervis Bay Marine Park.

Jervis Bay Walks Recap
So, that rounds off our guide to the 13 best easy walks and hikes in Jervis Bay. Hopefully, when you head down to Jervis Bay, you’ll be able to experience these delightful trails for yourself. NSW does coastal hikes really well, and Jervis Bay certainly has some of the best beach walks in the state.
How to Get to Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay is located on the South Coast of NSW, around 200km from Sydney. Certainly, driving to Jervis Bay is the most convenient option, especially for hopping between the trailheads of each of the Jervis Bay walks described in this guide. The drive from Sydney to Jervis Bay takes between 2.5–3 hours.
The main route is a lovely scenic drive down the M1 passing the Royal National Park, Wollongong, Kiama and Berry, before reaching Bomaderry and Nowra. After passing through Nowra, pick up Jervis Bay Road and follow through to Huskisson or Vincentia in the Bay area.
Car Hire
If you don’t have your own car, you should hire one using Discover Cars. Personally, we use Discover Cars and highly recommend them for finding your ideal car hire at an affordable price. Booking online is super easy and the free cancellation policy is great.
To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.
Alternatively, it is possible to take public transport to tackle some of these great walks and hikes in Jervis Bay. From Sydney CBD, you’ll take the train to Kiama via Wolli Creek. At Kiama Station, swap onto an Intercity Train to Bomaderry. Once at Bomaderry Station, it makes most sense to pick up bus #102 to Huskisson, as this is Jervis Bay’s main hub. All in all, expect the total journey to take between 4 and 5 hours.
Once in Huskisson, you’ll either need to hire a bike or walk to the majority of hikes in this Jervis Bay guide. Unfortunately, some you’ll struggle to get to without your own vehicle.
Read more: How To Get From Sydney To Jervis Bay – The Complete Guide
Accommodation in Jervis Bay
There’s a wealth of accommodation options in Jervis Bay, with the most variety found around Huskisson and Vincentia. To help with your search, check out some of our Jervis Bay accommodation guides below.
- Top 8 Jervis Bay Cabins For A Unique and Memorable Stay
- Jervis Bay Glamping: 5 Sites For The Perfect South Coast Trip
- Camping Jervis Bay: 7 Stunning Coastal Campsites
- A Quick Guide To Booderee National Park Camping
Alternatively, below are our top three motel, cabin and B&B accommodation options in Jervis Bay.
Top 3 Jervis Bay Accommodation
- Best motel: Huskisson Holiday Motel Cabins
- Best beach cabin: Hyams Beach Seaside Cottages
- Best B&B: Huskisson Beach Bed and Breakfast
Gear List For Hikes in Jervis Bay
Below is a list of hiking essentials we used when taking on these walks in and around Jervis Bay. Additionally, be sure to pack plenty of water, a hat, sunscreen, a towel and your swimmers.
Osprey Skarab 30
The Osprey Skarab 30 is our go-to hiking backpack for day hikes. This well-designed unisex backpack is comfortable and spacious, so you’ll have plenty of space to pack everything without feeling the strain on your upper back.
Osprey Ultralight Raincover
A waterproof backpack cover is an absolute must when you’re adventuring outdoors. The Osprey Ultralight Raincover Medium is a high-quality waterproof cover that’ll keep your backpack bone dry.
GRAYL Reusable Water Bottle
The GRAYL GeoPress is the best water filter bottle that allows you to purify 710mL (12 ounces) of water. This bottle will make water safe to drink wherever you’re hiking.
BUFF Original Ecostretch
The BUFF Original Ecostretch is a great option when it comes to multifunctional headwear. We use the Ecostretch as a neck gaiter to keep the sun off our necks and it helps us keep warm in cooler climates.
Sony Cybershot RX100 VII
Capture epic photos and videos with the Sony Cybershot RX100 VII. This is hands-down the best compact camera. We love using this simple point-and-shoot camera when we’re hiking as it’s lightweight and durable.
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.
Jervis Bay Walks Bonus Tips
- Off-Season visits: Dan and I have visited Jervis Bay in most seasons. But, one of our favourite times of year for walking in Jervis Bay is in winter. So, don’t be afraid to visit outside of summer.
- Dog-friendly walks in Jervis Bay: if you plan on bringing your pooch to Jervis Bay, then you’re welcome to walk them on Nelsons Beach (start of White Sands Walk) and Huskisson Beach. Unfortunately, pets aren’t allowed in the national parks.
If you’ve found this guide to walks and hikes in Jervis Bay useful, feel free to share it or bookmark it for future reference.
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.
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