The Sydney to Jervis Bay road trip is one of our favourite short adventures from Sydney.
Think wild dolphins, white sand beaches, national parks and spectacular coastal views.
Jervis Bay is around a three-hour drive south of Sydney.
But don’t rush straight there.
The best part of a Sydney to Jervis Bay road trip is everything you can see along the way.
Take the coastal route and stop at beaches, lookouts and small towns.
Once you arrive, go dolphin watching, explore Booderee National Park and visit the famous white sand at Hyams Beach.
Have more time?
Stay overnight and return to Sydney through Kangaroo Valley and the Southern Highlands.
Here is our Travelwheels guide to making the most of your Sydney to Jervis Bay adventure.
Sydney to Jervis Bay Road Trip – Best Coastal Route
You can drive directly from Sydney to Jervis Bay in around three hours.
We think there is a much better way to do it.
Leave Sydney early and head south towards the coast.
Slow down. Stop along the way. Enjoy the drive.
Royal National Park – Swim in the Rock Pools for Free
Royal National Park should be your first big stop on the Sydney to Jervis Bay road trip.
It is only around 50 minutes south of Sydney, but already feels a world away from the city.
Explore the beaches, bushland and spectacular coastal scenery.
And if the weather is good, bring your swimmers.
Stop and cool off in one of the beautiful rock pools before continuing south towards Jervis Bay.
Stanwell Park and Bald Hill Lookout – Watch the Hang Gliders
Next stop is Stanwell Park and Bald Hill Lookout.
Stop here for spectacular views along the NSW coastline.
Bald Hill is also one of Australia’s best-known hang-gliding locations.
If the conditions are right, you can watch the hang gliders launch from the cliffs and soar above the ocean.
It is an easy stop and one of the best views on your Sydney to Jervis Bay road trip.
Best Stops Between Sydney and Jervis Bay
There are plenty of places worth visiting before you reach Jervis Bay.
You don’t need to stop at all of them.
Choose a few favourites and make the road trip your own.
Symbio Wildlife Park – Hand-Feed the Kangaroos
Want to get up close to some Australian wildlife?
Symbio Wildlife Park is at Helensburgh, just south of Sydney.
You can see some of Australia’s most famous animals, including kangaroos and koalas.
One of the highlights is the Kangaroo Walkthrough, where you can hand-feed the kangaroos.
It makes a great wildlife stop on your Sydney to Jervis Bay road trip.
Visit the Symbio Wildlife Park website for current opening times and visitor information.
Nan Tien Temple – The Largest Buddhist Temple in the Southern Hemisphere
Next stop is something completely different.
Nan Tien Temple, near Wollongong, is the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere.
Take some time to explore the beautiful temple, shrines and gardens.
It is a peaceful change from the beaches and coastal lookouts on your Sydney to Jervis Bay road trip.
Check the Nan Tien Temple website for current opening times and visitor information.
Kiama Blowhole – Watch It Erupt in Front of You!
Next stop is Kiama, one of the best-known coastal towns south of Sydney.
Walk around the harbour and head to the famous Kiama Blowhole.
When the conditions are right, seawater shoots high into the air through the natural rock formation.
It is free to visit and only takes a short stop, so it fits perfectly into your Sydney to Jervis Bay road trip.
Check the Kiama Blowhole visitor information before you go.
Berry – Stop for Coffee or Lunch
Ready for a coffee or something to eat?
Stop in the historic town of Berry before continuing towards Jervis Bay.
Berry is surrounded by green countryside and the Cambewarra Range.
The town is known for its cafés, local shops and historic buildings.
It is a great place to take a break before continuing your Sydney to Jervis Bay road trip.
Wild Dolphins at Jervis Bay
Now for one of the big reasons to visit Jervis Bay.
Wild dolphins!
Jervis Bay is home to a resident population of bottlenose dolphins.
Dolphin-watching cruises leave from Huskisson and take you out onto the bay to look for them in the wild.
You may also see whales during their annual migration season.
If dolphin watching is high on your list, check the cruise times before leaving Sydney.
You can see current departure times and tour information on the Jervis Bay Wild dolphin cruise website.
Trying to drive from Sydney to Jervis Bay, see the dolphins and return to Sydney on the same day makes for a long day.
Why rush?
Stay overnight if you can.
You will have much more time to enjoy Jervis Bay, its beaches and the surrounding national parks.
Booderee National Park at Jervis Bay
Seen the dolphins?
Don’t turn around and drive back to Sydney yet.
Booderee National Park is one of the highlights of the Jervis Bay area.
Expect beautiful white sandy beaches, clear water, bushwalking tracks and spectacular coastal scenery.
Bring your snorkelling gear if the weather is good.
Some of the best snorkelling spots are around Scottish Rocks and Murrays Beach.
You can also swim, walk, explore the beaches or simply find a quiet spot and enjoy Jervis Bay.
Before visiting, check the official Booderee National Park website for current park information, passes and visitor alerts.
Want to go snorkelling? Check the official Booderee snorkelling guide for recommended locations and safety information.
Booderee is another good reason to spend more than one day on your Sydney to Jervis Bay road trip.
Hyams Beach – The Whitest Sand in the World
Here comes another Jervis Bay highlight.
Hyams Beach.
It is famous in Australia for its incredibly white sand and beautiful clear water.
Hyams Beach is often described as having the whitest sand in the world.
Take your shoes off and walk along the beach.
Go for a swim if the weather is good.
Or simply find a spot on the sand and relax.
Best of all, it costs nothing to enjoy one of the most famous beaches in Jervis Bay.
Check the Visit NSW Hyams Beach guide for more information before you visit.
For many travellers, Hyams Beach becomes one of the most memorable stops on their Sydney to Jervis Bay road trip.
Jervis Bay to Sydney via Kangaroo Valley
Ready to head back to Sydney?
You could simply return along the main highway.
We prefer another option.
Turn the journey home into another road trip.
Drive inland through Kangaroo Valley and the Southern Highlands.
Kangaroo Valley sits between the Cambewarra and Barrengarry mountains and is surrounded by green countryside, mountains and valleys.
Take your time and stop at waterfalls, lookouts and small villages along the way.
It is a completely different experience from the coastal drive south.
Check the Visit NSW Kangaroo Valley guide for more ideas and visitor information.
This makes a great alternative return route after completing your Sydney to Jervis Bay road trip.
Waterfalls and Lookouts on the Drive Back to Sydney
Now for one of the best parts of the drive back to Sydney.
Waterfalls.
The Southern Highlands has several spectacular waterfalls and lookouts that you can visit on the journey home.
Fitzroy Falls is the one we would definitely try to see.
The waterfall plunges over the sandstone cliffs into the deep green valley below.
There are also walking tracks and several viewpoints around the falls.
Check the NSW National Parks information for Fitzroy Falls before visiting.
Have more time?
Belmore Falls:
Another spectacular waterfall in the Southern Highlands. Check the NSW National Parks information for Belmore Falls.
Carrington Falls:
Another beautiful waterfall and lookout worth adding if you have enough time.
Hindmarsh and Mannings lookouts:
Stop for views across the surrounding valleys and escarpments.
Kangaroo Valley village:
Grab something to eat, have a coffee and explore the historic village before continuing towards Sydney.
You don’t need to visit every stop.
Choose one or two and enjoy the journey back to Sydney.
How Long Should You Spend on a Sydney to Jervis Bay Road Trip?
Our biggest tip?
Don’t try to squeeze everything into one day.
A Sydney to Jervis Bay road trip is much more enjoyable when you have time to stop.
Explore the coast on the drive south.
Spend a night around Jervis Bay if you can.
See the dolphins, visit Hyams Beach and explore Booderee National Park the next day.
Then take the scenic route through Kangaroo Valley and the Southern Highlands on your way back to Sydney.
That turns a simple Sydney to Jervis Bay drive into a proper NSW South Coast road trip.
Planning Your Sydney to Jervis Bay Road Trip?
Planning your own Sydney to Jervis Bay road trip?
Come and talk to the Travelwheels team in Sydney.
We have been helping international travellers explore Australia for more than 25 years.
We sell used campervans and 4x4s from our Sydney depot and can also offer local tips for planning your trip.
German traveller?
Wir sprechen Deutsch.
Visit our Travelwheels Sydney contact page or see our used campervans for sale in Sydney.
Then get on the road and enjoy Jervis Bay!
