FRIDAY 28 NOVEMBER: Step into the best of Jervis Bay’s next few weeks, where every experience is tuned to excite your senses. This fortnight brings the Huskisson Artisans Markets, Pacific reggae rhythms of Benji & the Saltwater Sound System to Nowra, the first taste of Tara Whiskey’s five-year-long project, and the opening of a spectacular 1000-square art show. Read on for the full curated list of markets, classes, and concerts.
Firstly, Happy Birthday to us. Jervis Bay Weekend’s team celebrated two years of publishing this month with a special dinner at Sandbar Restaurant – thank you chef Jason Wilkinson for helping us to mark this milestone with a delicious two-course feast. Thank you to all our readers who make it worthwhile with your feedback about how much our magazine has come to mean in your lives, we are grateful for your continued support.
Friday 28 November, New Shows at Maritime Museum: 1000 Colours for Lalita is now on at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum & Gallery, a painting and sound installation in the form of a coloured, mystic, power diagram of one thousand, coloured squares that spatialises the text of an ancient Indian Sanskrit prayer by Anna Nangle.
Friday 28 November, Saltwater Sound Tonight: South Coast favourites, Benji & the Saltwater Sound System will be bringing their Pacific groove to El Horses in Nowra tonight, tickets are still available. Expect African and Islander folk blended with reggae and a dash of salt, guitar, horns and rhythmic lyrics, from 8pm, tickets $25+bf.
Friday 28 November, New Tara Whiskey: Congratulations to Ben and Alarna for their long-term thinking which has now resulted in their very first batch of deliciously rare Australian whiskey made in the Irish Single Pot Still style. This is the culmination of five years’ work for the couple who create their beverages in Nowra Hill. For the full story, told in grand style, it’s worth a visit to the cellar door to amplify the flavour of the whiskey with the origin story, told by the makers and pick up your bottle, $180.
Friday 28 November, Green Friday at Paperbark: The luxury safari tent experience can be yours for 30% off in Paperpark Camp’s “green Friday” sale until 1 December, with code GREENFRIDAY30. Hop onto their booking site to discover the accommodation packages that could be the eco-treat you needs, or a great gift for a loved one.
Saturday 29 November, Gallery Birthday Exhibition: A lineup of notable artists who have contributed greatly to the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery will be exhibiting in aid of the gallery’s 21st birthday, with all works for sale. The 12 artists in the exhibition create in a wide range of mediums, including paintings, ceramic and fibre. An opening event will be held on 29 November from 2pm, and includes the opening of two other exhibitions, Legacy of Lines by Carly Marchment, and Six Seasons, a group show. These exhibitions will be on till 14 February 2026.
Saturday 29 November, Sussex Street Party: Kick off the summer season with a street party in the coastal village of Sussex Inlet featuring live music, great food, kids’ activities and finished off with a free screening of Zootopia at the Inlet Cinema. Step Into Summer along Jacobs Drive, which will close from 3pm for the event, the festivities will wrap up around 7.30pm
Saturday 29 November, We Mavericks in Concert: After rave reviews of their UK and European tour, regional NSW is next on the agenda for We Mavericks, the multi-instrumentalist, songwriting sensational duo Victoria Vigenser and Lindsay Martin and their band-mates, Rachel Johnston and Trent Arkleysmith. Tickets are now on sale for an all-ages show at the Tomerong community hall on Saturday night, 29 November, doors open 6.30pm, $30/$10. If you love folk, alt-country, great storytelling lyrics and insanely talented musicians, book now. We freely admit to being groupies of these guys, so look out for our exclusive interview with We Mavericks next week, including a sneak peek at their new album.
Saturday 29 November, Brewers’ Birthday: It’s hard to believe that six whole years have flown by since the Jervis Bay Brewing Co opened their doors here in Huskisson, and they invite us all to come celebrate this milestone. There will be live music, face painting for the young (and young at heart), big giveaways plus a few special birthday surprises. Gates open at midday.
Saturday 29 November, Art Café: Join artist Jenny McIntosh for a one-off Saturday Art Café at Peckish on the Park on Graham Street in Nowra, open especially for this two-hour workshop blending creativity and morning tea. Bring your own materials $45 or have them supplied $50 along with cake and coffee and create a unique artwork using pen and watercolour. Spots are limited so early booking is recommended.
Sunday 30 November, Artisans & Providores Market: The Huskisson Artisans Markets is bigger and better for their pre-Christmas event that will be bursting with gift ideas for your loved ones. There will be a curated pop-up art gallery called Artful Mind, plus over 40 stalls offering hand-crafted ceramics, jewellery, textiles, accessories, original framed art, providores offering fine food and wine, a special children’s gift section featuring books by local authors and delightful handmade toys. The markets occupy the entire building of the Huskisson Community Centre including the garden room and lawns accessed via the carpark. Explore the many offerings and support local artists and makers.
Sunday 30 November, Celebrate! Concert: MUSO, the Milton Ulladulla Symphony Orchestra is putting on a cracker of an end-of-year concert including Handel’s Water Music, the Bach Violin Concerto in A Minor with guest soloist, Sarah Hussey, and some pulse-quickening contemporary music by composers Soon Hee Newbold and Paul Barker. Reserve your seat with a donation (amount of your choice) online, or pay at the door on the day. The performance starts at 3pm in the Ulladulla Civic Centre, so arrive a little earlier to find a good spot. The beginners’ ensemble, MUSOminor will start with a rendition of “We Will Rock You” and the program includes some seasonal treats as well, ie carols but with a twist. The Orchestra is celebrating a recent transition from a string ensemble to a full symphony orchestra, and your donations will assist in the purchase of some new percussion instruments to round out the sound.
Sunday Sessions, Live Music on Sunday 30 November: If a chill vibe is more your speed than a full symphony experience, we have these great ideas for kicking back with some tunes this weekend. Start at Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla at 12.30pm for the stompy, swampy country blues of Horse Drawn Cadillac, described as Chicago blues with a dash of New Orleans. Head to Flamin Galah in the Woollamia industrial precinct for Blessie Pica performing her soulful vibes from 3pm, which also happens to be the start of happy hour. Then at Jervis Bay Brewing Co only a block away from the Galah, starting at 4pm it’s The Castaways, the perfect soundtrack for whiling away the last hours of the weekend with their effortless blend of country, pop and folk.
Support the venues who support independent musicians, it’s a win-win.
Tuesday 2 December, Taco Tuesday: Head to The Local in Vincentia Shopping Village for your weekly dose of Taco Tuesday. The team are always whipping up fresh new flavours to enliven your long summer afternoons, and you can pre-order with this link or try your luck on the day with tacos served from 4.30-7pm or until sold out.
Thursday 11 December, Stitch Meditation: Breath. Life. Thread is a unique workshop designed to be an intimate encounter with yourself, facilitated by death doula Annette Tesoriero and Dr Natalie McDonagh, through Shoalhaven Health & Arts. Participants (over 18) are encouraged to bring only themselves, all cloth and thread will be supplied, as you are guided through a meditation and the silent act of stitching. At the CWA Building in Nowra starting at 2pm, tickets are $15+bf
Saturday 7 December, Bonsai at the Brewery: Bonsai master and Jervis Bay local, Mason Keane is hosting a very special, 2-hour bonsai class at Jervis Bay Brewing Co. Sip on a drink while you learn how to shape and wire your very own tiny tree. For $130 you get a pot, a tree, a drink and a unique Christmas tree option. Places are limited so booking is required.
Saturday 13 December, Bottomless at Bud’s: If you love bao buns and Long Island cocktails, book in to the next Bottomless event at Bud’s Tavern in Huskisson for a two-hour sitting, 2.30pm-4.30pm to enjoy your fill of karaage chicken, vegan sweet & sour tofu and a gf option, all for $75. Reservations are essential.
Thursday 25 December, Jervis Bay Portrait Prize Open for Entries: Fair warning to start creating a portrait of a Shoalhaven resident by any artist, to enter into the inaugural Jervis Bay Portrait Prize. There’s plenty of time to choose your subject, gather your materials including a 30x30cm canvas, and get started. Entries will be $30, and more details are to come on the venue and prizes for the final show. This portrait prize is being organised by Randall Sinnamon, Scribbly Studio and Vanessa Harries, who is available for questions via email, vjharries@gmail.com.
