Best Jervis Bay Camping Spots

Looking for the best spots to camp in Jervis Bay? From insanely beautiful campgrounds to next-level beaches, whale-watching, hiking or if you want to discover Aboriginal heritage, a camping trip to Jervis Bay on the NSW South Coast is one you’ll never forget.

We acknowledge that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Koori people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded

About Camping in Jervis Bay

When I think of the best camping areas in Australia (and one of my favourite spots to camp in NSW), I instantly think of camping in Jervis Bay. 

Look to be fair, I haven’t done all that much camping in states/territories other than NSW, but get back to me in a few years and I’m confident my answer will still be the same; camping in Jervis Bay is a truly unparalleled experience. 

With its insanely stunning natural surroundings, a huge variety of native wildlife, a marine park (Jervis Bay Marine Park), two national parks (Jervis Bay National Park and Booderee National Park), and plenty of outdoor activities, this region offers one of the most stunning spots to pitch a tent and camp on NSW’s sparkling South Coast.

What’s even better is there’s something for everyone – whether you like to really rough it in the wild or prefer a little touch of home (e.g. toilets! showers!) you’ll find a campsite that suits your needs.

Alright enough gushing from me, let’s get into the list, shall we? 

@jonharris.photography

Camping in Booderee National Park

Booderee National Park offers some of the best camp spots in Jervis Bay. It’s a truly stunning place where you can explore the park’s natural riches and discover rich Aboriginal heritage.

The park offers plenty of fun for everyone including hiking and cycling tracks, epic places to surf or fish, perfectly calm waters to stand-up paddleboard or snorkel, or if you’re one of the lucky ones – take your boat out onto the water. 

There are three particular campgrounds of note in Booderee National Park: Green Patch, Cave Beach, and Bristol Point. 

Important PSA: Campsites are automatically allocated using a first-come, first-served system. They also fill up pretty quickly, so it’s important to book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

1. Green Patch

Cost: From $25 per night (+ $13.00 for 2 day park pass)
Suitable for: Tent camping, campervans and trailers
Amenities: freshwater, flushing toilets, hot-water showers and sheltered barbecues.

Green Patch is a gorgeous campground, just south of Jervis Bay Village in Booderee National Park. Campsites tend to book out at least a month in advance on weekends from October to May – so definitely book ahead if you can! 

If you’re going off-peak (i.e. not the weekend) you’ll likely have no trouble booking. I booked last minute for a Sunday and Monday night in April and practically had the campsite to myself. 

The running joke with Green Patch is that it should be called ‘dirt patch’, as all the campsites are on a patch of dirt. However, being surrounded by stunning Aussie bush and just a 200m stroll from the aqua blue waters of Iluka Beach, you really can’t beat a trip to Green Patch.

Book Here!

Photo thanks to Destination NSW

2. Bristol Point

Cost: From $25 per night (+ $13.00 for 2 day park pass)
Suitable for: Tent camping
Amenities: freshwater, flushing toilets, hot-water showers, sheltered barbecues and wood fireplaces.

Note! Bristol Point is closed for regeneration until September 2023.

Situated next to Green Patch Campground in the Booderee National Park is Bristol Point. It’s pretty similar to Green Patch, offering a seaside camping setting. However, it’s not as popular as its neighbour and so you might have more luck nabbing a booking (it also means it’s a lot more secluded and peaceful if you don’t like camping with crowds (hello, that’s me!) 

Some of the local flora and fauna you might see include wallabies, possums, countless bird species and even an echidna.

Bristol Point campground is walk-in only, so it’s not suitable for campervans or camper trailers, unfortunately. However, the carpark is very close to the campsites and if you have a butt tonne of gear, the campsites aren’t more than say 50m from the car. 

Book Here!

Photo thanks to @visitshoalhaven

3. Cave Beach

Cost: From $25 per night (+ $13.00 for 2 day park pass)
Suitable for: Tent camping
Amenities: freshwater, flushing toilets, hot-water showers, sheltered barbecues and wood BBQs

Note! Cave Beach is closed for regeneration until September 2023.

Another fantastic camp spot in Booderee National Park is Cave Beach, which is one of the area’s most secluded campsites. Kick back amongst the coastal tea trees as you watch the waves roll in.

This campsite is also only for tent campers, with the grassy camping area about a two-minute walk (300m) from the car park. 

With easy access to Cave Beach, a sick surfing spot, and walking distance of Sussex Inlet and other beautiful locations, this truly is a magnificent campsite.

It’s also a prime location to spot some rare seabirds like swamp hens, egrets and ducks, while also being home to numerous frogs, snakes and turtles.

Book Here!

@spurwaya

Camping Outside Booderee National Park

4. Honeymoon Bay

Cost: From $15 per night
Suitable for: Tent camping, campervans and trailers
Amenities: Toilets  

Honeymoon Bay is a small, sheltered bay where you can spend the day by the ocean snorkelling, paddling, reading or just relaxing.

It’s probably one of the most popular camp spots around as it’s only bookable for the summer period via a ballot system held each August. Otherwise, it’s first-come, first-served. About 10 kilometres from the edge of Currarong along the Point Perpendicular Lighthouse Road, if you can manage to make a booking, this is a campground you don’t want to miss out on.

BOOK HERE

Photo thanks to @visitshoalhaven

5. Hidden Creek Campground

Cost: From $40 per night for an unpowered site
Suitable for: Tent camping, campervans and trailers
Amenities: Toilets, hot showers, fire pits, camp kitchen 

Hidden Creek Campground is about a 5-minute drive from Huskisson, with the campsites nestled amongst 4 acres of bushland that gives you direct access to Currambene Creek. Here, you’ll watch the roos hop about the campsites as you toast marshmallows over permitted open fires. 

The campground is pretty remote and rustic but the good news is you’ll have all the comforts of home at your fingertips with a communal camp kitchen as well (flushing!) toilets. If ya fancy a hot water show you can pay a buck for 4 minutes of luxury.

Book Here!

Photo thanks to Hidden Creek Campsite

6. Luxury Glamping at Paperbark Camp 

Cost: From $550
Amenities: Everything! 

Love camping but with a bit of glam? Well, one of Australia’s best glamping experiences just so happens to be right on the south coast at Paperbark Camp.

Next to Currambene Creek, Paperbark combines luxurious tented accommodation with gourmet food at its treehouse-style onsite restaurant The Gunyah. If you fancy a mountain bike ride or a paddle in a canoe, you can rent both of these and more. 

It’s certainly a more costly option than traditional camping (it starts from about $770 per night) but hey, for those of us who can afford that, we salute you and are envious of you. =

Book Here!

Jervis Bay Camping FAQs

How long does it take to get to Jervis Bay from Sydney?

Via car, it’s about 198.9km down the M1 and Princes Highway and will take you just under 3 hours in a car (2 hours and 58 minutes according to Google).

What to bring camping in Jervis Bay

Depending on where you’re camping and what you’re camping with, here are some essentials:

• Tent/swag
• Food and water
• Cooking utensils
• Portable camp stove
• Insect repellant
• Head torch
• Loo roll
• Bin bags
• Booze (obvs)
• Swimmers
• Surfboard, SUP, Kayak, Bike etc.
• Binoculars (for whale watching!)

What’s the best time to visit Jervis Bay?

Whether you’re camping or want to stay in caravan parks, any time is the best time to visit! Summertime is the most popular time and you’ll be treated to long, warm days with plenty of outdoor activities to do. However, winter is also a stunning time to visit (and the best time for whale watching), and campgrounds are much quieter and often cheaper too. Bring the right gear and you’ll be right!

What’s the best beach in Jervis Bay National Park?

Look, it’s hard to say. All the beaches are beautiful! One of the best ways to see several of the beaches in the region in the shortest amount of time is the incredible White Sands Walk. It’s a 2.5km walk that weaves through the picturesque Jervis Bay National Park. The 90min return walk begins at Greenfield Beach picnic area in Vincentia and ends at the incredible Hyams Beach, taking you through coastal forest and past stunning ocean vistas.

Can you bring dogs to Jervis Bay campsites?

Of all the campsites listed, unfortunately, you cannot bring your beloved pooch. This is more to do with protecting local wildlife around the Jervis Bay National Park area than anything else! If you want to bring your dog (or cat, I guess?), you can try one of the caravan parks like Jervis Bay Holiday Park.

Where’s the best place in Jervis Bay National Park to whale watch?

May to November is the best time to whale watch and any beachside camping spot in the region will give you a prime vantage point.

Is Jervis Bay in NSW or ACT?

Geographically, it’s in New South Wales. Although technically it falls part of the ACT politically. Fun fact: it was given up by the state of New South Wales to the Commonwealth Government in 1915 so that the Australian Capital Territory would have access to the sea.