Wolf & I Co. Blog | Adventures Of The Wolf Pack

A Dog Friendly Weekend Adventure to Jervis Bay

Over the past few months, I’ve been lucky enough to explore the stunning beauty of Jervis Bay- and even luckier to have Alma with me. Jervis Bay is one of the most beautiful places to explore with your dog. A lot of people I’ve spoken to are surprised by how often Alma and I travel here—and even more surprised when they find out just how dog-friendly it is. You can take your dog just about everywhere without having to leave them behind for your adventures (except if you’re exploring the actual national park). We found the perfect dog-friendly base to stay and explore from and we are excited to share it with you.

Getting to Jervis Bay from Sydney

Jervis Bay is located on the south coast of New South Wales, just under a 3-hour drive from Sydney—making it the perfect weekend getaway from the city.

Here are a few cool facts I’ve discovered while travelling and researching the area:

• It’s not technically part of NSW—in 1915, it was handed over to the federal government so Australia could have its own naval port.
• Hyams Beach is rumoured to have the whitest sand in the world—and it’s dog friendly!
• It’s a whale highway—one of the best places to spot humpback whales during their migration, either from shore or on one of the many boat tours.

Places to Explore En Route to Jervis Bay

If you’re driving down from Sydney, there are plenty of spots worth stopping at to break up the trip.

If you set your maps to Sea Cliff Bridge, you’ll be taken along a beautiful coastal road and this iconic bridge. You can even hike up one of the cliffs for that photo with the bridge below. After your hike, there are some great nearby pubs:

• The Imperial at Clifton has recently been refurbished and offers classic pub food with ocean views. It’s not dog-friendly inside, but there’s a small outdoor area for dogs.
• If the sun’s out, we love heading to The Scarborough Hotel. It has one of the best beer gardens with sweeping ocean views where you can chill, whale watch, and enjoy a pint. The food is amazing—try the fish pie! Bonus: the garden is dog-friendly. (Tip: book ahead—it gets busy.)

If you’re more into town vibes, Kiama is about half an hour away and has some amazing dog-friendly beaches nearby. Check out Bombo Beach before town and Werri Lagoon just after. Kiama also has great food options—fish and chips, ice cream, bookshops—and of course, the famous blowhole.

Where to Stay in Jervis Bay

We usually camp in Jervis bay, and there are loads of dog-friendly campsites around but for this trip, we booked an amazing pet friendly accommodation—and we’re so glad we did.

Clifton Cottage. Just 10 minutes from Huskisson and located in Sanctuary Point, it was close to everything—beaches, walks, and cafes

The cottage had:

• A fully equipped kitchen
• A huge, fully fenced dog-friendly garden
• BBQ and outdoor firepit
• Outdoor shower
• Two queen-sized beds (perfect for a girly weekend!)
• A comfy sofa and modern TV
• A bath—with bubbles! (Ideal for post-hike.)

Alma was even supplied with her own dog bed, blanket, and bowls (which was great, because I totally forgot to pack hers). It was the perfect base to explore Jervis Bay in comfort.

Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a longer costal adventure, having the right base makes all the difference- and Clifton cottage honestly felt like home. Alma was relaxed, happy, and totally in her element (as you can probably tell!). 

If you’re traveling with a dog, or just want a peaceful, comfortable spot close to all the best bits of Jervis Bay, I couldn’t recommend them more.

What to Do in Jervis Bay with Your Dog

Dog-Friendly Hikes

Basin Walk

This was walking distance from the cottage and made for a perfect morning stroll with Alma. It follows the edge of St Georges Basin, is around 5.2km long, and has cute rest stops and loads of birds to spot. We caught the most beautiful sunset here too.

Abrahams Bosom Reserve

This reserve is heaven. It’s at the northern end of Jervis Bay, about an hour’s drive, so I like to go either on the way in or out of town. You can hike as much or as little as you like—some days I’ve done just 1–5km, and others over 20km!

Places we love in the reserve:

• Currarong Rock Pool
• Abrahams Bosom Beach
• Wilsons Beach
• Whale Point
• Lobster Bay
• Little Beecroft Head
• Gosang Tunnel (a must!)
• Mermaid Inlet
• Beecroft Head

It’s an adventure playground!

Dog-Friendly Beaches

You don’t need to go into the national park to find stunning beaches—and that means your dog can come too! Here are a few we’ve explored:

• Huskisson Beach
• Nelsons Beach
• Wilsons Beach
• Barfleur Beach
• Callala Beach
• Currarong Beach
• Culburra Beach
• Abrahams Bosom Beach
• Orion Beach
• Hyams Beach

 

Dog-Friendly Shops, Cafes & Pubs

A lot of local shops (that aren’t big chains) allow well-behaved dogs—so I just ask. Most say yes! Here are some favourites:

The Collective Beat

A super cute store full of local makers and friendly people. They welcomed Alma with open arms. They also sell dog stuff—leads, collars, treats, licki mats. (Yes, Alma got a new collar :))

Huskisson Trading Post

A huge antique store full of everything you can imagine. Alma was in heaven sniffing around—especially their room full of shells! You can buy them too!

Jervis Bay Brewing Co.

Awesome beer, great vibes, and amazing food from the Little Pigs food truck.

Huskisson Hotel

Massive food menu and great quality. The outdoor decking is dog-friendly and looks right out over the water.

Huskisson Bakery and Café

Our go-to for breakfast. They do the best cakes and breakfast baps, plus coffees, juices, teas—and a dog biscuit that Alma is now obsessed with. Prices were really reasonable too. We came here every single morning

Dog-Friendly Activities

Markets

• Jervis Bay Maritime Museum Market – First Saturday of the month. Cute, small, and dog-friendly. You can even feed the fish in the water nearby.
• Huskisson Markets – Second Saturday of the month. We didn’t make it, but I’ve heard great things.

Boat Cruise

Yes—a dog-friendly boat cruise! I emailed to confirm because I couldn’t believe it, but it’s true. Jervis Bay Wild allows well-behaved dogs on their dolphin and whale tours.

We did the 1.5-hour Dolphin Cruise—a great intro since it stays in the calmer waters of the bay. Alma handled it like a pro (though we didn’t see dolphins this time). We’ll be back in June for the Whale Cruise, which is around 2 hours.

Prices were really fair too—$52 for the dolphin cruise, $75 for whales (at time of writing). Dogs go free!

Hot tip: feed your pup after the cruise, not before—just in case they get a bit seasick

Why Should You Visit?

Overall Jervis Bay is a great dog-friendly destination, offering a mix of beautiful beaches, scenic walks, and pet-welcoming accommodation. Many beaches, like Nelsons Beach and Callala Beach, allow dogs off-leash during designated hours, while others such as Hyams Beach require dogs to be on a leash at all times.

There are also dog-friendly walking tracks, like the coastal path from Huskisson to Plantation Point, and several parks where dogs can run off-leash. Pet-friendly cafés and holiday rentals are widely available, though it’s important to check individual rules as some areas—especially within national parks—prohibit dogs altogether.

With a little planning, Jervis Bay makes for a relaxing and enjoyable getaway for both you and your furry companion. And as you know, dogs are more than just pets—they're family. Just like humans, they benefit from breaks, fun, and new experiences. So yes, dogs deserve holidays too.

Emily & Alma 

 

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