The Sensational White Sands Walk in Jervis Bay

Man, I loved this coastal walk. It’s one of those trails I could have just kept on walking (even with a 2-year-old strapped on my back).

I’m putting the White Sands Walk and Scribbly Gum track in Jervis Bay up there with one of my favourite short walks in Australia so far, and it turned out to be the perfect way to take in the natural beauty of Jervis Bay, with scenes such as this:

And the best part about it is you get to sit on the beach at the end with practically no one else around you. Well, unless you’re walking during the school holidays in August.

If you think this short walk in Jervis Bay sounds ideal for you and your family, then keep reading to see how you can do it and learn about what to expect.

Quick Overview: White Sands Walk, Jervis Bay

Where is Jervis Bay? The Jervis Bay region is just 180km south of Sydney (about 2.5 hours drive) on the NSW South Coast.

You start the White Sands Walk at the Greenfield Beach picnic area, walk to Hyams beach, and return.

What is the distance of the White Sands Walk?: 2km from Greenfields Beach to Hyams Beach

How long does the walk take? It takes between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on how many breaks you take.

Grade: 3

Where to stay?: The nearby town of Huskisson offers ample accommodation options for all budgets, plus lots of nice cafes. We stayed in a cabin at Jervis Bay Caravan Park overlooking the river.

How to Do the White Sands Walk and Scribbly Gum track

White Sands Walk and Scribbly Gum are one of the best short walks in Jervis Bay. The two tracks are interconnected, but it’s essentially the White Sands Walk on the way and Scribbly Gum on the way back.

The walk is a scenic loop around Jervis Bay National Park, taking you from Greenfield Beach to Hyams Beach Town and back.

The start of the trail is at the Greenfield Beach picnic area, or you can start from Plantation Point and walk past Blenheim Beach and Nelson Beach, if you want to do a longer walk. Don’t rush off from the picnic area to do the walk. You may find some wallabies, possums and other native wildlife roaming here.

It’s also the only point on the trail with toilet facilities so last chance to go before you hike!

You will see a signpost directing the way from Greenfield Beach picnic area past the picnic tables, and you simply follow the trail from there. It’s a well maintained trail with natural terrain, but it’s pretty flat most of the way.

The trail winds south along Jervis Bay, where you will get a glimpse of the pristine white sands of Chinamans Beach, the first beach on the walk. You can stop here and go for a quick dip, paddle in the waves, or simply enjoy the views.

From Chinamans Beach, you will see the signposts directing you along Cyrus Street, which takes you to Hyams Beach Town.

You can spend some time wandering around the town, dipping into cafes for refreshments or lunch, before heading to the gorgeous Hyams Beach, the most famous beach in Jervis Bay.

Once you have enjoyed Hyams to your hearts content, you are ready to walk back. The return walk takes you through a tall, gum forest and woodland, with views of the coastline peaking through the trees every so often.

The track finishes where you started at the Greenfield Beach picnic area.

Our Experience Walking The White Sands Walk and Scribbly Gum Track

I love taking the kids on a walk, particularly coastal walks such as this one that combine incredible beaches, rock pools to explore, and wooded areas with some bush tracks sprinkled in.

Beginning at Greenfield Beach picnic area, just south of Vincentia, the White Sands Walk is aptly named as it meanders through a chain of pristine white sand beaches in the Jervis Bay region – Chinamans, Greenfield, Hyams and other inlets – which all have that beautiful white powdery sand.

With little Savannah riding in the hiking pack, we set off for the easy hour-long loop walk to Hyams Beach and back.

Jervis Bay Marine Park offers a stunning back drop as you make your way along the bush track, stopping momentarily to take in the views, play on the rock formations and stroll the pristine beaches.

You may even if you’re lucky (we weren’t) spot some dolphins, seals, penguins, kangaroos and native birds sharing the moment with you.

If you visit during the winter months (June to November), you might get lucky enough to spot some humpback whales on their annual migration.

By the way, your feet will love walking barefoot through the soft white powdery sand, and the whiteness provided a great contrast against the turquoise blue water lapping at our toes at low tide.

The walk takes you to little havens, lagoons, and lookout points with stunning bay views, and considering we were doing it over a public holiday weekend, there were very few people (love that about the south coast).

In comparison, the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk in Sydney can get overcrowded. It’s a great walk also, we have done it several times and is one of the best free things to do in Sydney, but there is a lot more development and tourists.

On the White Sands Walk, I could count on one hand the amount of people we passed on the track. Maybe we should keep it this way and not tell you all?! Shhh…

And the reward for reaching Hyams? You get to feel the world’s whitest sand between your toes. And grab a bite to eat and a good coffee at the equally awesome Hyams Beach Cafe, a locals favourite.

After coffee and cake, we did the return leg to Greenfields to hang out for a few hours and play. And if the following photo isn’t motivation enough to complete the return loop, I don’t know what is.

What to Bring on the White Sands Walk

Here are some of the items we suggest you bring with you on your white sands walk:

• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Plenty of drinking water
• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Cash for buying refreshments in Hyam
• Camera
• Binoculars if you are visiting during winter months to do some whale watching

Tips for Doing the White Sands Walk

Before you go, here are some of our top tips for doing the White Sands Walk and Scribbly Gum track:

• Start early in the day. We had perfect weather, but if you are visiting in the summer, make sure you start early in the day to beat any afternoon winds, and if you get up earlier than us you’d probably see a nice sunrise!
• Don’t forget your swimmers! if it is a nice day, be sure to bring your swimmers and a towel for a dip at any of the beaches along the way.
• Bring something to warm you up after a swim. The only downside is the water temperature is a little fresh, 15 degrees Celsius at the time, but you can’t visit Jervis Bay and not jump in, it’s too inviting and a lovely way to freshen up!
• Don’t rush it. So slow down, it’s not a race, and make the most of what’s on offer.

Final Thoughts on White Sands Jervis Bay Walk

The White Sands Walk is not challenging at all and suitable for all levels and age groups.

The best thing about this walk is it didn’t leave the kids exhausted and me carrying one on my back and the other on my shoulders, which happened on our Mount Kosciusko walk!

Although fair warning, there is a few steps on the Scribbly Gum track on the way back.

If you’re looking for a gentle stroll on your trip, this is the perfect family-friendly walk in Australia.

Other Places to Visit in Jervis Bay

Before you rush off after doing this walk, be sure to check out the following places in Jervis Bay:

• Booderee National Park – A lush forested national park next to Hyams Beach, if you want to continue your hike, you can enter this national park where you will find Cave Beach, a great spot for camping. It has a great campground with showers and running water and lots of space to put up tents.
• Point Perpendicular Lighthouse – excellent for views at sunset, especially during whale season.
• Huskisson Beach – a family-friendly beach with kayak and paddle board rentals
• Moona Moona Beach – a beach with shallow pools for young kids to play in

Tours in Jervis Bay

Where to Stay in Jervis Bay

The nearby town of Huskisson offers ample accommodation options for all budgets, plus lots of nice cafes. We stayed in a cabin at Jervis Bay Caravan Park overlooking the river.

Here are a few more you may like:

• The Edgewater Bed & Breakfast features a beautiful waterfront location with panoramic views of St Georges Basin.
• Jervis Bay Motel is located in the center of Huskisson, with beaches, cafes and shops less than 1,650 feet away there are panoramic views of the pristine Jervis Bay Marine Park. 
• Best of both worlds at the Bush to beach one bedroom apartment. From the tranquil bush setting to beautiful Collingwood Beach on Jervis Bay is a 5-minute stroll.
• This affordable, luxurious contemporary home is located on absolute waterfront, with private, direct access to the beach.

More South Coast NSW travel tips

• 2 Weeks in South Coast NSW – Travel Itinerary
• 11 Best Beaches in South Coast NSW – Photo Essay
• The Different Views of Narooma – a south coast NSW gem
• If you want to see wild kangaroos in Australia come here
• Chasing chooks at Crystal Creek Meadows, Kangaroo Valley
• Why visit Kangaroo Valley in NSW

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