Postponed till 7 November 2026 due to rain. Get ready to raise a glass as the South Coast’s premier distillers festival returns to the stunning shores of Huskisson. On Saturday, 28 February, the Spirits of Jervis Bay Festival transforms White Sands Park into a vibrant hub of craft spirits, gourmet eats, and live music, offering a fresh and exciting way to experience the very best of our coastal community.
The Spirits of Jervis Bay Festival alongside the Husky Pub in White Sands Park is one of those highly anticipated gatherings where producers step out from behind their craft and into the sunshine, sharing what they have been refining, fermenting and distilling all year.
For this year’s event on Saturday 28 February, Jervis Bay Weekend has hand-selected the local highlights to sample from among more than 25 vendors on the day. From midday, this laid-back celebration of small batch spirits, local food and live music set against the stunning backdrop of Jervis Bay offers an afternoon to meet South Coast distillers, sample standout gins, whiskies, vodkas and rums, and pick up a few insider tips at masterclasses and live cocktail demonstrations. It is a chance to discover something new, have a chat with the people who crafted it and maybe find your next favourite bottle.
Tickets are available now and on sale till the day of the event, for $22.49 inc booking fee and kids’ entry is free.
Three Local Labels Leading the Pour
There is something quietly powerful about watching a coastal community back its own.
Tara Distillery – serving the sea and salt air in a glass
The first pour in this trio comes from Tara Distillery in Nowra Hill, the first of its kind in the Shoalhaven and drawing inspiration from colonial distilling history and myth in the region as well as their passion for Irish culture.
Founders Ben Stephenson and Alarna Doherty are quietly proud of what they are bringing to Spirits of Jervis Bay. Their signature Jervis Breeze cocktail, made with award-winning Pot Still Gin, is bright, sparkling and easy to enjoy, the apple, lime and mint keeps it refreshing, while lemon myrtle and Tasmanian pepperberry add a distinct coastal twist.
Their Oyster Catcher Gin, created with Jim Wild’s Oysters, brings subtle salinity from fresh oyster shells, layered with soft herbs and a whisper of macadamia. It’s like a sea breeze captured in a glass.
Their inaugural Single Pot Still Whiskey, the first of its kind in the Shoalhaven, opens with gentle dried fruit and orange notes, finishing warm and lightly spiced. A tasting bottle of this sold-out debut will be poured at the festival.
For Ben and Alarna, the festival is about more than drinks; it’s a chance to share the Shoalhaven story in a glass and show visitors the heart and character behind the region beyond its beaches.
All drinks at the festival will be $10, and bottles of classic Pot Still Gin and Oyster Catcher Gin are $78.
Old Salt Distillery – reconnecting with locals
Opened in 2021 by chef-couple Michelle and Terry Robinson, Old Salt Distillery in South Nowra has been steadily building a reputation for small-batch spirits made entirely inhouse, using natural ingredients and no preservatives. Festivals like this give them the chance to tell that story directly.
On the day, they will be serving classic concoctions such as their vibrant Blood Orange and Passionfruit Seltzer and a bright Limoncello Spritz, alongside other seasonal favourites from their distillery collection. The focus is fresh flavour and balance, drinks designed to be enjoyed in the open air with friends.
There is also something new to discover. Their Cherry and Vanilla release features Australian cherries grown just outside Young, a reflection of the team’s commitment to working with local farms and shaping unique drinks from regional produce. It is this connection between orchards and still that gives their spirits a sense of character beyond the bottle.
Old Salt’s Blood Orange and Passionfruit is already on tap at Bud’s Tavern, so the festival becomes a natural extension of those everyday encounters. For Michelle and the team, it is about reconnecting with the locals who have been supporting them all along and introducing newcomers to what South Nowra is quietly producing.
Jervis Bay Brewing Co – face-to-face with their fans
For Jervis Bay Brewing Co, Spirits of Jervis Bay is not just another date on the calendar. It is a chance to pour face-to-face for the community that keeps the taps flowing year-round. And for the festival-goer who prefers a great beer to a distilled beverage, this one’s for you.
They are bringing the full flavour line-up this year. Expect their signature tap beers, including the ever-reliable 11 Days Pale Ale, a crisp lager that suits the salt air, Low Vis Hazy Pale Ale with its soft tropical edge, and the approachable Steady-On Mid Strength for those pacing themselves across the afternoon. Alongside the taps will be a stacked range of tinnies, ideal for festival roaming, plus fresh merch from stubby holders to tees.
The team has hinted at a few brew surprises as well. Limited batches and crowd favourites have a habit of appearing when least expected, and that sense of spontaneity is part of the festival’s appeal.
Beers on tap will be $12, regular tinnies $10 and the larger cans $15. Stubby holders are $9, with tees ranging from $45 to $55. It is a straightforward offering: good beer, poured well, in good company.
Food Vendors Rounding Out the Experience
White Feather Designs – flavour in a jar
As part of the food line-up at the Spirits of Jervis Bay Festival, White Feather will be bringing their full range, along with a few new must-try additions if you haven’t caught up with them since last year.
New to the line-up is chilli jam, available in both mild and hot versions and it’s a standout. We’ve tried it, and it’s a winner, offering a subtle smoke flavour that is a signature of the brand.
Also in the range are two award-winning favourites: the Smoked Beetroot Relish, a silver medallist at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Awards, and their Gin Marmalade, which took home Bronze at the Melbourne Royal Fine Food Awards.
They will also have their usual crowd-pleasers on hand, including pickles, relishes, hot sauces, jams, salts and seasonings.
Relishes and chilli jam are priced at $15 each, 2 for $28 or 3 for $40 making them ideal for stocking up.
Peter and Eva – wood fired pizza
Peter Eva Italian Restaurant on Owen Street is bringing a slice of their signature Italian hospitality to the Spirits of Jervis Bay Festival with their mobile wood fired pizza oven.
Expect a small, carefully curated selection of classic Italian street-style pizzas with simple, high-quality ingredients, bold authentic flavours and that warm, welcoming feel they’re known for.
Connected to the Jervis Bay community, Peter Eva draws inspiration from the coastal lifestyle and the people around them, serving food that reflects a shared love of good produce, relaxed gatherings and coming together by the Bay.
Book Your Tickets for Saturday 28 February
Whether you are a spirit connoisseur, a cocktail lover or simply chasing a great afternoon out by the Bay, Spirits of Jervis Bay Festival delivers an unforgettable blend of good drinks and genuine coastal community in beautiful Jervis Bay.
It is everything we love about a Jervis Bay weekend, easy going, flavour packed and best shared with family and friends.
