FRIDAY 14 AUGUST: Here at Jervis Bay Weekend, we take our job of scouting your social calendar seriously. From crate-digging vinyl in Woollamia to community morning teas in Sanctuary Point and hands-on Science Week interactive theatre in Huskisson, your upcoming week is stacked with fresh ways to connect.
Last Chance Things to Do Right Now
Bookings close Sunday night for Arts Muster Festival’s two-day workshops. Secure your spot in an immersive creative experience. For $350, why not try your hand at something new, like the mesmerising practice of miniature weaving, or the ephemeral art of arranging natural found object around you. Guided by experienced practising artists and designed for all abilities.
Buy a raffle ticket in the Tomerong Hall centenary raffle, this Saturday at the monthly Food Hall & Markets. For $5 you might win some lovely prizes from local businesses including accommodation, meals, shopping vouchers and more. While you’re at the markets this Saturday 15 August from 8am-1pm, don’t forget to look up to see the art installation by Akira Kamada as you vibe with the music of George Bishop. If you can’t make it to the markets but still want to support the raffle, you can purchase online, 1 ticket or 5 tickets.
Help feed the wombats at the Mudgeroo wildlife refuge on Jervis Bay Road by harvesting some long grass. The wombats need long, fresh grass (not clippings) that they can chew, so if your local green verge is looking lush, yank out as much as you can and drop it off. Find out more from Mudgeroo.
Vote for Australia’s most amazing wildflower in the ABC poll that is pitting 10 under-valued native flowers, from the flannel flower to the flying duck, against each other for the title. The winner will be revealed live on ABC Radio National on Friday 21 August during The Hour of Flower, a special Science Week broadcast. Find out about our local science week program in this story.
What Else is Happening Around the Bay & Basin
Friday 14 August–Wednesday 26 August, Art at Melaleuca: There’s still time to see the first art exhibition at the new venue, Melaleuca at Worrowing featuring large-scale artworks by the award-winning local artist, Randall Sinnamon. Many of the works on display, including some quirky sculptures, are for sale. A new exhibition is scheduled to start next month so now is the time to visit, open Wednesday–Friday 10am-2pm and Saturday 9am-midday.
Saturday 15 August, Community Garden Open Day: Head to Clifton Street Community Gardens in Sanctuary Point for morning tea (or coffee) and help raise funds to keep this community asset flourishing. From 10am-midday, enjoy a cuppa, meet some of the volunteers and buy a jar of something scrumptious to take home.
Saturday 15 August, Stamp & Coin Day: It’s a big day for collectors! Start in Nowra with Stamp and Coin Day presented by the Shoalhaven Philatelic Society, 9.30am at Wesley Centre on Berry Street. There will be trading, great displays, lucky door prizes and more throughout the day till 3pm.
Saturday 15 August, Record Fair in Woollamia: Keep on collecting as Coal Coast Records teams up with Jervis Bay Brewing Co to present Festival of Vinyl, an afternoon on crate-digging for turntable gems in every genre. DJ Dusty Knuckles will be on the decks as you flick through thousands of records, from 12-5pm.
Saturday 15 August – Saturday 22 August, Science Week Events: The mysteries of luminescence and the aquatic life from Jervis Bay to Antarctica are the focus of this year’s Science Week at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum in Huskisson, including interactive theatre for kids. Read our story and check out the program. For even more science week events, Bundanon Art Museum in Illaroo has a full program including their annual Science Symposium hosted by Clarence Slockee returns, bringing together leading voices in biodiversity, climate science, ecology and landscape restoration for a day of talks, on Friday 21 August 9.30am–3pm.
Tuesday 18 August, Info on Art Therapy: Ulladulla Library is hosting a session for anyone curious about art therapy, hosted by an expert in the field. Register online for this free session that will include some information about what art therapy is, and how it could help you or your loved ones. Some basic art materials will be supplied at the two-hour session which starts at 1pm.
Thursday 20 August, Great Night Out in Sussex: The unmistakable gravelly voice of Tall Shaun and his band, The Resolution will perform at Inlet Cinema, which tells us, “The boys have recently shared the stage with Texas legend Uncle Lucas and even had the honour of being joined by country icon Keith Urban at their 2025 debut at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.” Choose dinner + show for $45 or cheese plate + show for $20.
Thursday 20 August, Conscious Dance in Tomerong: Join Dance Tribe South Coast for an evening of dancing freedom and sound bathing. Move your body to a soundtrack that follows the elements, then find your calm in the vibrations of a sound bath. Book ahead or pay at the door, $25 from 7pm in Tomerong Hall.
Friday 21 August, Casey Donovan at the Country Club: Casey Donovan is on her biggest national solo tour to date, charting her journey from Australian Idol winner to stage icon. The show at the Country Club St Georges Basin will include Idol favourites, musical theatre showstoppers, and new original music. Tickets are $58.50 and doors open at 7pm for an 8pm performance.
Saturday 22 August, Tutus at Park Run: Don your finest tulle and pirouette your way around the Huskisson Park Run in honour of the double-2 date. Assemble at Moona Moona Creek Reserve at 8am for takeoff.
Saturday 22 August, Collage Art Class in Vincentia: Local artists and mother/daughter duo, Karen Cunningham & Barbara Haynes will introduce you to the addictive world of abstract collage at this workshop presented by the Shoalhaven Art Society. For $70/$50 members, spend three hours experimenting with colour, layers and composition from 10am, all materials supplied, at The Hub, shop 14 Burton St, Vincentia Village.
Saturday 22 August, Country Music at Old Salt: The chart-topper Jemma Beech is bringing her debut album, That’s Just Hit Me, to the distillery floor at Old Salt from 12pm, best enjoyed with a tasting flight of gin and perhaps a tear or two—of appreciation for the raw storytelling in her music and the distilling expertise of fine-dining power couple, the Robinsons.
Tuesday 25 August, Helping the Hard Conversations: Dying to Know, the national campaign inspiring people to prepare for the inevitable not with fear, but with purpose, care, and a clear sense of legacy, is coming to Vincentia. Funeral celebrant Annette Tesoriero, Worrigee Cemetery manager Charmaine Schemberi and coordinator Jessica Wiltshire as well as Vincentia Connections’ Jane Daisley-Snow will address this year’s theme, Nobody Knows, a cheeky, irreverent campaign designed to expose the absurdity of keeping your end-of-life wishes a secret. Register for this free event, from 2pm-4pm by emailing bookingsvcch@gmail.com.
Thursday 27–Sunday 30 August, Arts Muster Festival in Huskisson: Now on sale, there are 12 two-day workshops on offer at this year’s annual Arts Muster Festival in Huskisson, $350. Each class is taught by an accomplished and generous artist, in small groups of 10 students. Try your hand at making a cloth doll or discover fleeting beauty in ephemeral art, enjoy the immediacy of pen and wash or the ancient art of shibori. See the full program of events including art-after-dark immersive cultural experiences and a community movie night to raise funds for high school student scholarships to Arts Muster workshops.
Friday 28-Sunday 30 August, Travelling Film Fest: Huskisson Pictures is the home of the Travelling Film Festival, this year showing films from a whistling competition to features with accolades from prestigious film awards such as Cannes and Sundance. An all-film pass costs $126 for all nine films or choose a flexi ticket, five films for $75.
Saturday 29 August, For Music Lovers: Celebrated young Australian soprano Arianne Ricci is performing an intimate house concert in Kangaroo Valley, including music from Handel, Mozart, Poulac and Britten. Listen to her “crystalline vocals” and engaging performance for two hours from 2.30pm, tickets are $65+bf.
Saturday 29 August, For Piggie Fans: Huskisson favourite, 5 Little Pigs is co-hosting a pop-up dinner with Salted Butter at their Owen Street café, from 6pm, featuring natural wines, inventive cocktails and delicious food. To book for seat for $160 email 5littlepigshuskisson@gmail.com but don’t wait, the Friday night pop-up sold out in a huff and a puff.
Sunday 30 August, Make Things at Husky Artisans Market: A special hands-on edition of Artfulmind Pop-up Gallery/Shop at Huskisson Artisans Market is celebrating the Arts Muster ethos, “Let’s make things together”. Gallery curator Dr Natalie McDonagh has devised a series of free, family-friendly art + design activities based on selected items featured in the gallery. Come for a playful interlude, engage your own artful mind and dive into the thinking and methods used by skilled makers and artists featured in Artfulmind Gallery/Shop. Read about them in Natalie’s latest article Make A Woof To Keep. Find Artfulmind Pop-up Gallery/Shop at Huskisson Artisans Market, Community Centre, Dent Street, 10am-3pm.
Spring Events to Book Now
Friday 4 September, Women in Beer & Art: A celebration of women in brewing is the theme of an art exhibition opening at 6pm at Jervis Bay Brewing Co, featuring the work of more than a dozen exceptionally talented local artists, women of course. The Pink exhibition is held in conjunction with NSW/ACT Brew Day, and supporting the Pink Boots Society.
Saturday 5 September, Curated Pop-up Art Shop: In Erowal Bay, Artfulmind Pop-up Gallery/Shop is open from 11am-4pm presenting the work of 20+ makers and artists, curated by Dr Natalie McDonagh. As well as investment pieces, you will find beautiful, hand-made works priced under $100 in the enticing collection of ceramics, textiles, wearables, toys, jewellery, homewares, wall-hung work, and one-off cards that Natalie has curated for this iteration of the Artfulmind Gallery. Email Natalie to let her know you are coming and she will send you the address. Also open on Saturdays 12 + 19 September with an opportunity to Meet the Makers 2-4pm on each of the three Saturday pop-ups.
Wednesday 9 September & Thursday 10 September, Angelic Voices: Six local public schools are performing each night at this year’s Shoalhaven Choral Music Festival for two nights at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, after much dedicated rehearsing by the students and their choral leaders. Come along to this celebration in song for $23/$17 and free to students who are performing. Both evenings commence at 5.45pm.
Sunday 13 September, Women’s Spring Gathering at Falls Creek: Join a small gathering on a bushland property only minutes from Huskisson or Nowra to find out what might be wanting to bloom in your life. Hosted by Jax Weschler who will perform a mindful tea ceremony alongside practices to help you slow down, listen to yourself and be held by nature. Reserve a place, from $80 for the day which starts at 9am, and accommodation options are also available.
Saturday 19 September, Heaven for Bird Enthusiasts: The Bird Haven Festival is coming to Shoalhaven Heads for a full day of talks, walks, raffles, refreshments and more. Tickets are $50/$25 for a day of celebration, community and learning about birds. Start off with a Bird Walk on the amazing “International Bird Airport” on the estuary, from 8.30am.
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, Chamber Music in KV: The intimate drawing room of Barrengarry House is the setting for two performances of chamber music by a trio of acclaimed performers on violin, piano and soprano. “Spring with Brahms & Strauss” is presented with Music in the Valley for $70/$30 including refreshments.
Saturday 26 September, Pop-up Pub Choir at Culburra: As part of this year’s Culburra Beach Festival, you can experience the pure joy of community singing, led by the inimitable Tina Broad. The festival organisers say, “Get out of the shower and come down to the community hall for a big group sing”. You will be amazed at how quickly the room full of people will sing an Aussie pub classic in harmony, and with a live band. No experience necessary and all ages are welcome. Jervis Bay Brewery will be in attendance and tickets are now available for $25. Then all you need to do it turn up at the Waratah Hall for a 3pm start. Listen to Tina talk about community choirs to inspire you to get involved.
