Visit Jervis Bay, Australia

A couple of hours' drive south, or a seaplane flight from Sydney, is the gem of Jervis Bay. Home to a colonial port which once rivalled Sydney’s Port Jackson, and the dramatic ruins of a bold, beautiful lighthouse, there is significant cultural heritage to discover.

It is the perfect place to stop for a couple of nights on a coastal journey between Sydney and Melbourne.

Exploring Jervis Bay

Take a walk with an Aboriginal guide through the reserve of Booderee National Park, take a night walk to witness the habitats of nocturnal creatures, or perhaps canoe the creeks or rent a bike and cycle the bush trails. The Botanic Gardens offer further stretches of bushwalking trails and perfect picnic spots to take time out, or you can spend a sunny afternoon at Green Patch Beach, famed for its clear waters and white sands; the glistening waters are home to pods of dolphins.

Make sure you also keep an eye out for clouds of spray and swirls as humpback and southern right whales pass close to the shore between July and October on their annual migration.