6 things to do in Jervis Bay with kids in winter

The kids and I headed off to Jervis Bay for a week during the school holidays. I always imagined that the first time I’d visit Jervis Bay would be in the height of summer, so I was a little worried that there wouldn’t be much for us to do in the chilly weather. Boy was I wrong! We were blessed with beautiful blue skies and sunshine ever day, however it was still bitterly cold (well the Australian kind anyway). We jammed so much into our seven days that we could easily have stayed longer.

Here are just a few things I’d recommend if you find yourself in Jervis Bay with the kids in the winter months.

1. Enjoy the beaches

Even though it was a little on the chilly side for swimming, Jervis Bay has some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. It would be a crime not to visit them. Hyams beach, with it while sand and crystal clear turquoise water, is probably the most well know and well worth a visit. However there are so many other spectacular beaches that you could visit a different one every day (and we did). Cave Beach, which is only reachable by foot through the Booderee National Park, was our favourite. It was also the only one that had waves too, which made for a very happy son who braved the cold and went out for a surf.

2. Go whale watching

This is an absolute MUST, especially in the winter months. The whales always stop for a rest in the calm waters of the Bay during their annual migration, so you are almost 100% likely to see them. There are lots of boats and tours leaving Huskisson harbour and they are pretty easy to book. I was worried that my kids might be a little bit small to go on the boat but we went anyway and they LOVED it. The whales… well, what can I say, they were mind-blowingly beautiful. It was such an incredible experience and one the kids (and I) will never forget.

3. Go to the movies

The Huskisson Pictures is the dearest little cinema you could ever imagine. It was built in the 1950’s and has totally kept its old-fashioned charm. It’s the perfect place to have a sneaky nap while the kids enjoy some popcorn and a movie. It’s very reasonably priced too.

4. Bush walking

Booderee National Park has some amazing bush walks that cater for all ages and abilities. You will need to pay a day rate to enter the national park, but once you’re in you can do as many walks as you fancy. The bush is so peaceful and the views are simply stunning. There’s also lots of friendly wildlife to spot along the way.

5. Biking and scootering

There are a number of bike and scooter friendly tracks throughout Jervis Bay, so don’t forget to pack your wheels. My six-year spent so much time riding up and down the track outside our cottage that she perfected her balance on two wheels and was very proud of herself. We also all rode into Huskisson and checked out the local markets before stopping for fish and chips.

6. Playgrounds

Dotted along the cycle tracks are several parks and playgrounds. They all have fabulous views too. I was very happy sitting on the grass with a freshly brewed coffee while the kids ran around and played on all the equipment.

Robyn de Beer is a Sydney stay-at-home mum of three kids, aged 2, 5 and 8. When she is not tackling home work or doing the school run she share honest and amusing stories about motherhood, Thermomixing, photography, and everything in-between on her parenting and lifestyle blog Mrs D Plus 3.