Jervis Bay and surrounds

Jervis Bay is world famous for its white sand beaches, but what impressed us more was the delectable retro oasis behind those beaches. You get hints of it in Huskisson and Vincentia on the shores of the bay itself, but then as you travel south to town like Sussex Inlet, you’re startled by the lack of moustaches and 70’s cars because you are in fact in year 2019, not 1973. And what this means, what this really means, is that the Op Shops are dripping with treasure, beautiful shiny retro treasure.

From Nowra, we headed east to Culburra Beach for some breakfast and a wander, and I by wander, I mean op shop. There were two ripper Op Shops, Anglicare and the Culburra Bay Community Op Shop, so a few purchases were made, and then continued on to Callala Bay on the northern shore of Jervis Bay. We still hadn’t sighted the white sand when we found the Vinnies in Callala Bay, so a peruse was had and we continued on, arriving in Huskisson half an hour later. Here, we definitely sighted the white sand, there was literally nowhere you could not see it.

We based ourselves in the ultra-retro beach shack aptly named Retro Sands for two nights. It was in Vincentia, so south along the lip of bay from the main hub of Huskisson, but with its own shops and cafes. I had chosen Vincentia particularly for the bike path that links it to Huskisson, taking you along the shores of the bay and back with ultimate ease. We rented bikes for two days and enjoyed this journey a few times, which even with a toddler and a trailer in tow, was an easy ride there and back again. There’s even a film of it below that we made for NSW Bike Week.

Our first port of call was Vincentia village, where we grabbed the most amazing hamper from Vincentia Butchery. These guys specialise in pasture-raised, ethically-farmed, locally-sourced produce, with excellent options for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike . The hamper was so well put together that I think we got 5 separate meals out of it and expressed our gratitude more and more as it gave and gave. PS. There’s a hidden Op Shop by Coles in the alley way, so be sure to check that out.

All stocked up, it was time for adventure and after dropping everything off back at our retro oasis, we drove around the corner to the Greenfield Beach Picnic Area, which is the starting point for the White Sands Walk. There are a few routes you can take, but we headed straight to Chinamans Beach, a beautiful 15 minute walk through thick eucalypt forest where you find yourself pleasantly ambling along, oblivious to what’s around you, only to stumble on a bay of diamond-white sand and a sea as clear as white wine. Okay, maybe I just felt like a wine at that point, but the water was terrifically clear.

On arriving at Chinamans Beach, we were lucky enough to have this exquisite beach all to ourselves, surprising given the lovely warm spring weather. Chinamans Beach is just north of Hyams and considering the crowds that Hyams is prone too, we’d definitely recommend this relatively isolated paradise. The walk is an easy one for adults and kids alike and did see a couple calmly pushing a pram along it, so definitely not only for the intrepid.

The next day we cruise-controlled down to Sussex Inlet, not knowing what was awaiting us. First you notice the odd house and say to one another, ‘Wow, that’s kitsch’, and before you know it, you’re standing outside the local real estate agent wanting to buy your own mid-century modern piece of paradise. More importantly are the two Op Shops, the world’s quirkiest second-hand book store, the local craft store and what quickly became our favourite restaurant of the entire trip, Island Sushi. I’d had Poke Bowls before, the these Poke Bowls just screamed flavour and health in a way that no food has done before. So fresh and so delicious, please take the short drive out of town and savour this amazing food.

On the way back to Vincentia, we stopped in at the Booderee National Park, which takes up the southern end of the bay. Feeling not particularly intrepid, we parked up at Green Patch beach and took a short stroll down to the waters edge. Unsurprisingly, the sand here is incredibly white and the water incredibly calm. There are plenty of other options for idyllic beaches, plus many options for walks through the National Park.

Before calling it a day, we made a stop at the Huskisson Buy Back Centre on our way back to base and I finally got the chance to fulfil an op shop dream. Thank you Huskisson Buy-Back, you’ll always hold a special place in my heart! Amongst the various bits and bobs where three of the most retro stools I’d ever laid eyes on, which although unexpected at the time, shouldn’t have been considering the retro heaven we where in. So, for spare change, we bundled them into the car and raced off, afraid that we might be called back for fear of a huge mistake. Anyway, that never occurred and I left Sean to strap them to the top of the car. The moral of the story is that Shoalhaven Buy Back Centres are unreal and if you can, you simply must visit as many as possible, only definitely take a trailer!

Eats

Huskisson

5 Little Pigs
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Pilgrims Vegetarian Cafe
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Wild Ginger
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Vincentia

Vincentia Butchery & deli
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Albert & Miso cafe
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Sussex Inlet

Island Sushi
194 Pacificana Drive, Sussex Inlet
Open Tues - Sat 11am - 2pm
(check for winter & summer hours)
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Op shops

Culburra Beach & Callala Bay

Anglicare op shop
Canal St, Culburra Beach
Open Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm
Sat 9am - 1pm
DIRECTIONS

Culburra Beach Community op
Canal St, Culburra Beach
Open Mon - Fri 9am - 3pm
Sat 9am - 1pm
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Vinnies Callala Bay
59 Emmett St, Callala Bay
Open Mon - Sat 8.30am - 4pm
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Huskisson

Uniting Church
53 Hawke St, Huskisson
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Recycling & Waste Buy Back Centre
235 Huskisson Rd
Open 10am - 4pm 7 days a week
DIRECTIONS

Sussex Inlet

Inasmuch op shop
195 Jacobs Dr, Sussex Inlet
Open 9am - 1pm Tues - Sat
Closed Sun & Mon
DIRECTIONS

Seek & Find Community Op
2/176 Jacobs Dr, Sussex Inlet
Open Mon - Fri 9.30am - 3.30pm
Sat 9am - 12pm

The Inlet Spot (unique craft store)
Nelson Road, Sussex, Sussex Inlet
Open daily 9.30am - 4pm
DIRECTIONS

Sussex Inlet Buy Back
40 The Spirngs Road
Open 9am - 1pm Sat & Sun
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Vincentia

BOP op shop
Vincentia Village (by Coles)
DIRECTIONS

Buy-Back Centres

Recycling & Waste Buy Back Centre
235 Huskisson Rd
Open 10am - 4pm 7 days a week
DIRECTIONS

Sussex Inlet Buy Back
40 The Spirngs Road
Open 9am - 1pm Sat & Sun
DIRECTIONS

Adventure

Chinamans Beach Jervis Bay
we did the White Sands Walk, we parked our car at Greenfield Beach Picnic Area, the walk was a breezy 20mins to the beach
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Green Patch Booderee National Park
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Jervis Bay Bike Hire
We hired bikes for 2 days while in Jervis Bay, truly is the best way to get around.
The bike path Round The Bay is superb and so easy to cruise along.