Stunning scenery is just one of the many things that Jervis Bay is well-known for. The beaches here are not only fantastic and inviting, but are recognized for their brilliant white sand (often considered the whitest sand in the world.) The region is abundant with wildlife, both onshore and off, and you can spend your hours swimming in the crystalline waters, bushwalking amongst lush vegetation, or simply basking in the warm sunlight. During whale watch season, you may even be able to spot whales from the beach.
The beaches in the area are even more stunning at night: due to the chemical reactions, plankton becomes luminescent. Therefore, the marine creatures emanate this dazzling blue glow. The sites like the Hyams Beach are indeed very romantic at night.
Source: joanne
Source: Joanne Paquette
As per famous photographer, You just have to be in the right place at the right time for bioluminescence it's very hard to predict when it will show up. She has mostly seen it around October but it can come at any time Tasmania has a lot and seems to be very frequent.
It is said that the right conditions must be fulfilled for us to enjoy this! e.g. It must be night/dark, Warm temperatures - warm waters (i.e. likely spring-summer months), High acidity in the water and Onshore wind & the right tides.
Source: Joanne Paquette
Source: Joanne Paquette
Activities and Attractions at Jervis Bay:
- Jervis Bay Marine Park: Promotes the conservation of a variety of plant and animal species, both on land and in the sea. The 21,100-hectare marine park includes several beaches and riverfronts in the Bay area. It promotes conservation of flora and fauna both on land and in the sea.
- White Sands Walk: The stretch between Greenfield and Hymans Beach is a wonderful way to witness the beauty of the Jervis Bay beaches.
- Lady Denman Heritage Museum: The Lady Denman Heritage Museum is the best place to learn about the history of Jervis Bay. It is situated inside a complex spread across 10 hectares and has exhibits of the Koori tribe, shipbuilding, shipwrecks and those collected from the wreckage, lighthouses and navigational instruments.
- Hymans Beach: Hymans Beach is considered to have the whitest of all the sands in the world (according to the Guinness Book of World Records). The sea in the area is known for several sightings of pregnant whales and dolphins. It is also known for its coral reefs south of the Great Barrier Reef.
- Booderee National Park: Earlier known as the Jervis Bay National Park, Booderee is renowned for conserving the beauteous landscape, wildlife, as well as the natives. Located in the southern part of Jervis Bay, the 6,379 hectares of the Booderee National Park encompass both coastal and hinterland areas. It is owned by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community.
- Cape St. George Lighthouse: Located within the Booderee National Park, the old lighthouse at the cape, which is now in ruins, has a perfect vantage point to see dolphins and whales. These marine mammals migrate through the surroundings waters from May to November
- Callala Bay and Beach
Source: By Pavel from Sydney, AU (Jervis Bay Dolfins) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
How to get there?
Jervis Bay is well-connected to important cities like Sydney and Canberra. Sydney is just about 2 and half hours drive away from Huskisson, the largest town in Jervis Bay.
Reach by Train: The Martin Place Station in Sydney has regular trains to Huskisson, Vincentia and other towns in Jervis Bay. The journey is about five to six hours long. To reduce the journey time budget travelers usually take the train to Bomaderry and then a bus to Huskisson. It takes about four hours and fifteen minutes.
Getting around Jervis Bay: Important towns and villages in Jervis Bay are connected by public buses. Hired cars and bikes are another convenient way to get around the area.
Source: By Dave Naithani (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Special thanks to Joanne Paquette for the images. She has taken award-winning photos of the bioluminescence in Jervis Bay and shared with SBS Gujarati.
