FRIDAY 9 JANUARY: Jervis Bay is the ultimate summer playground this week. Whether you’re cooling off with the Husky Ferry, exploring tactile art gardens, or catching live music as the heatwave breaks, here’s our guide to everything happening now so you can make the most of your leisure time.
Shark Reminder: The rangers at Booderee National Park – one of the jewels of Jervis Bay – have reminded us this week of the presence of sharks in our waters. They offer some great advice about how to safely co-exist with these magnificent marine creatures, after sighting what they believe was a Great White in the waters off Cave Beach yesterday and today.
Follow the Park on socials to stay up-to-the-minute, and follow advice such as not swimming or wading between dusk and dawn, not swimming in murky estuaries or near wharves or boat ramps where people are cleaning fish, and not swimming near “shark food” such as seal colonies or schools of bait fish.
Things To Do Right Now
The Husky Carnival is on nightly in the sports fields, with ticket prices from $40 available online or at the box office on-site. There are around 18 rides plus food and entertainment for the whole family, every night from 6pm-10pm, till 26 January.
The Husky Ferry runs daily during the summer holidays, 9am to 9pm between the Huskisson wharf (leaving on the quarter hour) and up the Currambene Creek to Myola, only $15/$5 return for the 10-minute voyage.
Mariw Minaral Exhibition is a new exhibition at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum presents the artist’s presentation of what it means to be a sea person. Works including intricate linocut prints as well as sculptural works, contemporary masks and film by Torres Strait Islands artist Alick Tipoti. The museum is open daily, 10am-4pm and entry is $14/$12.50. Until 31 May.
Summertime is an exhibition by the Shoalhaven plein air painters and friends, Summertime, now on at The Common South Coast in Culburra. From boats and birds to bikini bottoms, these works are all for sale and best enjoyed with a beverage in hand from the bar at The Common, open Thursday to Sunday.
Neon Bushland starts tomorrow at the Bundanon Art Museum in Illaroo, where artist Rosie Deacon has created a tactile, brightly coloured “garden” made from a variety of craft materials and waste. It’s free to see, from Wednesday to Sunday 10am-4pm and fun for the whole family – you can even add your own botanical creation, till 18 January.
This Weekend and This Week
Saturday 10 January, Local Markets: If you feel like braving the heat to support local events, head to Callala Markets from 8am-1pm this Saturday in the community centre on Emmett Street, or further south the Sussex Inlet community markets are also on this Saturday 9am-12pm at the Ellmoos Centre.
Sunday 11 January, Husky Markets & More: The heatwave should have released us in time for the most popular markets of Jervis Bay – get ready for a special day as the Huskisson Markets team up with the Husky Carnival to offer half-price arm bands for the day, with proceeds going to the Jervis Bay Lions Club (purchase at the carnival only). From 10am-2pm in the sports fields. Also available, a special pre-release of tickets to the annual Duck Derby! Visit the Marine Rescue Jervis Bay gazebo to find out how you can get your hands on coveted tickets to races 5-12! Read our story on the event and find out what else to expect on Monday 26 January.
The Kangaroo Valley Farmers Market is on 9am-1pm behind the Friendly Inn, the best place to stock up on delicious produce while supporting local growers and makers directly. Don’t forget your shopping basket.
Ulladulla Wharf Market is on further south, along the picturesque working harbour and featuring loads of great stalls, head down between 8am and 1pm and support Marine Rescue Ulladulla.
Sunday 11 January, Sunday Sessions Live Music: Celebrate the breaking of the heatwave this Sunday with live music at some of the region’s sensational venues supporting local independent musicians. We love to start the musical day at Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla where Richard & the Lionhearts will have you swaying in your seat while you enjoy a casual lunch on the deck. Then head to Flamin Galah for the melodic sounds of acoustic duo Lucy & Hayley at 3pm, in the Woollamia industrial zone.
At 4pm, head over to Flamin neighbour, Jervis Bay Brewing Co for Blue Mallee, the folk duo fusing indie rock, ambient textures and traditional folk roots.
Thursday 15 January, Farmers Markets: Berry’s weekly farmers markets kick off again with a great selection of local produce. Start your weekly shop habits off well and visit the Berry Farmers Markets from 2pm, enter via Queen Street.
Thursday 15 January, Summer Sessions @ Museum: Back by popular demand! The place to be on Thursdays in January is around the pond at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, where our favourite local musicians will set the sunset vibe at the Summer Sessions from 3pm-7pm. This Thursday, grab a drink from the Museum bar and an early dinner from the food trucks, as JJ Spence (3-5pm) and George Bishop (5-7 pm) bring the groove. Ola Chola Food truck will be serving empanadas and burgers and South Coast Soft Serve will be there for dessert.
Saturday 17 January, Folk-pop at Bundanon: Experience a Summer afternoon of luminous folk-pop by Lisa Mitchell, and the dreamy, alt-country sounds of Babitha, in the Boyd Education Centre at the Bundanon Art Museum, starting at 4pm. Tickets are $65/$55/$50 and there are optional shuttle buses available, pre-booking essential.
Sunday 18 January, Wood Fired Pizza, Farm Style: Martin’s Ridge Farm at Conjola is famous for its free-range herds and boutique charcuterie, and it’s summertime wood fired pizza nights – but book in quickly as these special events sell out fast, $65.
Plan Ahead – worth waiting for
Tuesday 20 January, Art Café in Sussex: Release your inner creative with guidance from artist Jenny McIntosh at Art Café Sussex Inlet. Held at Ellmoos Hall on Jacobs Drive, this two-hour art experience from 10am includes morning tea, while you create an original artwork in pen and watercolour wash, $50 (byo materials) or $55.
Monday 26 January, Duck Derby: Get ready for a quacky Australia Day at Moona Moona Creek with the annual Marine Rescue Jervis Bay Duck Derby fundraiser from 9am. Tickets are now on sale for race day, from $5, which could win you a fistful of dollars if your duck floats in first at Moona Moona Creek. Stay tuned for more information about the day, including market stalls, food trucks and entertainment.
Saturday 28 February, Get in the Spirit: The Spirits of Jervis Bay Festival is on again at the Husky Pub and White Sands Park, starting at midday and showcasing the South Coast’s finest distillers, food trucks serving up delicious snacks, and live music by the Bay. Tickets are now on sale, $22.49 includes bf.
Friday 20 March, Bach in the Museum: Music in the Regions is touring another internationally acclaimed classical performance, by Bach Akademie Australia who bring the musical story of J.S. Bach to life. Tickets are $40 for this performance at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, starting at 6.30pm. There will also be performances in Berry and Ulladulla on this tour.
