FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER | WHAT’S ON IN THE BAY & BASIN: Support Huskisson and Woollamia businesses open for trade this weekend despite local road closures for running and triathlon events, enjoy ferry crossings from Myola as an alternative to finding a car park. Art enthusiasts can explore working studios in Vincentia, catch the opening weekend exhibitions at Bundanon or browse the Halloween-themed makers market in Callala Beach.
Things to do Right Now
Shop Local in Huskisson During Road Closures All Weekend: While the Huskisson CBD traffic and parking conditions are impacted from today until 5pm Sunday for the Run Huskisson and Triathlon Huskisson events, the cafes and restaurants, boutiques and specialty shops—in Huskisson and Woollamia’s industrial estate—will be open for business as usual. Please refer to the detailed road conditions posted by the organiser, Elite Energy. The Jervis Bay Maritime Museum will be closed on Sunday 1 November, however the grounds will remain open, so you can enjoy the Mangrove Boardwalk and Native Reserve Gardens at any time. For an alternative way to travel, the Husky Ferry will be taking fares from 5am over the weekend between Huskisson Wharf and Myola for $18/$7 return.
Bliss Out to World Music in Berry Tonight: As part of A Day Well Spent, the Berry School of Arts will host a world music takeover tonight, Friday 30 October from 5pm, tickets to this all-ages event are $45/$29/$10+bf. Presented by Holy Pavlova, Blissed Out 2 will transform the venue into a melting pot of rhythm and global sounds including Afro-psychedelia from Immy Owusu and Paul A. George.
Start a dry goods collection at your workplace, club or school for the Salt Care Christmas Hamper appeal and help families to feel some Christmas cheer this year. Drop off your contribution before Friday 11 December at Salt Base in Bomaderry.
Download or update the “Hazards Near Me” app: A bush fire at the Bay & Basin Leisure Centre today, Friday 30 October that shut the Wool Road while the RFS contained the blaze is a timely reminder to stay informed about local conditions and ensure you have a written plan in case of emergency evacuation.
What Else is Happening in the Bay & Basin
Saturday 31 October, Open Studios Around the Bay & Basin: Escape the Husky hustle by visiting the working studios of a big handful of local artists this Saturday from 10am till 3pm to see their latest artworks and hear about their unique processes. There will be five open studios in Vincentia, including Chris Grimm, who has just completed a new series based on local beaches. The website has up-to-date info about who is open and how to get there.
Saturday 31 October–Sunday 1 November, Opening Weekend at Bundanon: Head out to Illaroo for a spectacular opening weekend of two major exhibitions: Ngangkaṟi Ngura—Healing Country by senior Aṉangu artist and ngangkaṟi Betty Muffler, and Bait-al-Nahl—The House of Bees by Pakistani-born Australian artist Mehwish Iqbal, whose creative practices are grounded in cultural knowledge and connection to place. A full program of events includes artist talks, smoking ceremonies, DJs and live music plus entry to the art museum is free across the weekend.
Saturday 31 October, Halloween Themed Makers Market in Callala Beach: The Pirates of Callala Beach Halloween Makers Market presents an all-makers market presenting items made, grown and produced in the Shoalhaven, plus a kids treasure hunt. From 8am–3pm in the Callala Beach Community Hall, you will also find kits and supplies to become a maker yourself.
Saturday 31 October, Stargazing at Worrowing: Enjoy a hot chocolate by the fire at Melaleuca, on the Worrowing Estate, while you gaze into the dark sky under the guidance of an astronomer. A state of the art telescope and constellation storytelling makes this a special evening from 8.15pm, $118/$44.
Sunday 1 November, Culburra Beach Market: HHandmade and home grown sums up the stalls at the all-local market at Culburra Beach Community Centre and reserve. Find cards and paper craft, tie-dye, crystals and gems, clothing, kids items and toys, plants, soaps and candles, decor and home furnishings, jams and preserves, woodcraft and much more. Yo Mama Kitchen will be serving breakfast while Wicked Tasty Food has doughnuts, coffee and cold drinks, from 8am–1pm.
Sunday 1 November, Sunday Sessions Around the Coast: Start your live music day at Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla where Annaliese Szota’s quirky indie-pop will serenade a leisurely lunch on the deck or on the lawn, from 12.30pm. Then head to Flamin Galah in the Woollamia industrial estate for Mark Newton, playing 90s acoustic classics from 3pm—right on time for happy hour. Then from 4pm, head across the way in Woollamia to Jervis Bay Brewing Co for some virtuosic guitar solos, percussive sounds and vocals by Ziggy McNeil. You will hear hints of Tommy Emmanual and riffs on Rodrigo y Gabriela from this veteran busker.
1–29 November, Art at Cambewarra Estate: Explore the creative journey of mother-daughter duo, Barbara Haines and Karen Cunningham, who are the featured artists for the month at the community gallery at Cambewarra Estate. Open Friday to Sunday, enjoy a tasting or lunch with stunning views over the valley towards the mountain.
Wednesday 4 November, Cancelled Wall of Tears at Nowra: Shoalhaven City Council has cancelled the upcoming installation of Wall of Tears by American artist Phil Buehler that was scheduled to open at the council-owned Shoalhaven Regional Gallery on 4 November. The organisers are seeking a new venue for the work, featuring thousands of names of children reportedly killed in the war in Gaza.
Thursday 5 November, Author Talk Rescheduled: This is the new date for the special author event with Kate Mildenhall and Dr Rose Searby, The Shooting at Cape St George: An Epilogue, at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum. Doors open at 5pm for the talk commencing at 6pm. This event is sold out—any ticket holder who cannot make the new date can request a refund on bookings@jbmm.asn.au or you can ask to be put on the waitlist.
Saturday 7 November, Country Day at the Cooee: Dress in your boot-scooting finery and head to the Cooee Hotel in St Georges Basin for their annual Country Day festivities from midday. Ride the mechanical bull, line dance to great country music with free lessons from 3pm and win some great prizes on this fun family day.
Thursday 12 November, Jazz in Sussex: Monica Trapaga is a star attraction for dinner and a show at the Elmoos Centre in Sussex Inlet as she performs with the Pocket Trio at Inlet Cinema. Enjoy a Mexican-inspired dinner by guest-chefs from 5 Little Pigs beforehand, $115 including a welcome drink or a cheese plate & drink for $30. Book soon because this promises to be a swinging night out.
Saturday 14 November, Get in the Spirits in Huskisson: The Huskisson Hotel hosts Spirits of Jervis Bay 2026 at White Sands Park, showcasing regional craft distillers, food pop-ups and live music from 12pm. Tickets are $22.49.
Sunday 15 November, Town Band Celebrates Aussie Music: Nowra Town Band is showcasing music from Australian composers and arrangers in a special concert, at 2pm in the Wesley Centre, Berry Street Nowra. Tickets are $20/$10 at the door and under-12s are free. Support local musicians who practice countless hours to bring our communities some fantastic live music events.
Tuesday 24–Saturday 28 November, Creative Moments Exhibition in Nowra: Our region’s finest craftspeople in woodworking, ceramics and textiles will hold their annual showcase, Creative Moments for five days only at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery. Most of the artisanal products on display will be for sale and there will be demonstrations and “market day” events on the final day.
Sunday 22 November, MUSO Reflections in Concert: The Ulladulla Civic Centre will be ringing with uplifting orchestral music in a concert by the Milton Ulladulla Symphony Orchestra, aka MUSO, featuring familiar classics, musical medleys and a few Aussie carols. Make a donation at the door and be seated by 3pm for the performance of “Reflections” by this multi-generational community orchestra, led by Fiona Thompson.
Sunday 29 November, Christmas Market in Huskisson: Tick off your entire Christmas gift list at this special edition of the Huskisson Artisans Market, featuring original, handmade items from around 60 makers. Find gifts for everyone, from the finest hand-made glass, ceramics, textiles and original art to children’s toys and books plus a delicious range of food and beverages from the dedicated providores’ section. At the Huskisson Community Centre 10am-3pm.
Friday 4 December, Woollamia Art Troupe: Woollamia is a regional town with perhaps the highest concentration of practising artists, and you can see their collective output at a new show, opening at 6pm at Jervis Bay Brewing Co. Curated by Randall Sinnamon, the “Very (Very) Local Exhibition” will feature works by a dozen artists plus live music and great food.
Saturday 5 December, Rock Out for a Cause in Tomerong: All-female rock band Which Witch plays their Friendsmas Party at Tomerong School of Arts from 6.30pm to 10pm in memory of late singer Deb, raising funds for breast cancer research. Tickets are $10.
Plan Ahead—For those who like to really plan ahead, we have some ideas for celebrating the Christmas spirit and ringing in the New Year.
Saturday 12 December, Santas in Sussex: The annual Santa event in Sussex Inlet will be bigger and better than ever this year, as the Santas will paddle, cycle and walk their way around the hamlet to raise funds for Marine Rescue Sussex Inlet. Register to participate on the day at Lakehaven Reserve from 10am, for $15 (kids and family tickets available), spruce up your Santa suit and be part of Santa’s Big Day Out. There are prizes for best dressed, Santa paddleboard jousting, sausage sizzle and live music at Swordfish Brewing from 1.30pm.
Saturday 26 December–Saturday 9 January, Bands on the Bay in Vincentia: The summer days on the lawn at the Vincentia Sailing Club will be longer and more leisurely this year as the collab with Jervis Bay Brewing Co is extended to two whole weeks. Week two of Bands on the Bay will include the Hobie Cat National Sailing Championships, alongside live music, food trucks and of course, excellent beverages. Stay tuned for more details.
Saturday 2 January, Music Fest in Milton: The Barn on the Ridge is hosting its 6th annual Summer South Music Festival to start the new year on the right note. Headlining this year will be Rogue Traders, promising “nostalgic naughties house vibes” plus support acts including Hein Cooper, Luen and more. Tickets are under $90 right now for early birds and will increase to $113 as the day nears. Doors open at 1pm for an epic day on the Ridge.
