FRIDAY 10 JULY: Our local villages are warming up with so many things to do this school holidays. You might spot a platypus, catch a late night jazz set, or even spot Santa Claus. Here’s what’s happening around the region.
Things to Do Right Now
Listen to our second podcast! Each week, we will interview the people in our community who make Jervis Bay one of the most dynamic regions in NSW. This week we dive deeper into the heart of our community, as we speak with Debra Stubbs, mum to Adaptive CrossFit athlete Sam who is on his way to San Jose, and two directors of the Jervis Bay Community & Sports Club about their latest fundraising efforts to support a bid for the former Vincentia Golf Club.
See the Milky Way. Winter is the ideal season to see the vast spiral galaxy that is the Milky Way, and there’s no better companion than Jervis Bay Stargazing, with their powerful telescope and expert advice. There are plenty of nights available this school holidays and family tickets are available (2 adults +2 kids $230 or with 3 kids, $285).
Enter a Young Designer Award. If you (or someone you know) are a young designer, submit an original poster design that captures the spirit of the annual Spring into Sanctuary Point festival, in a competition organised by Firefly Bay & Basin. Create a bold, eye-catching design that reflects the event’s theme of Connecting Community while celebrating the people, places and experiences that make the Bay & Basin special. The winning artwork will be featured across the event’s promotional campaign.
What Else is On Around Jervis Bay
Friday 10 July – Sunday 12 July, Local Art on Show: Browse and shop for art by local artists at The Hub, shop 14 Vincentia Village on Burton Street, open 9am-3pm. The works include original paintings, prints, cards and gifts.
Saturday 11 July, Jazz at Old Salt: The South Nowra distillery turns into a sultry jazz club for one night only featuring Pearl Noire, very limited spots still available. Your $30 cover charge includes a drink and canapé on arrival. (Book online to transport yourself to a basement in Chicago via the south coast.
Saturday 11 July, It’s Xmas in Sussex + Local Markets: Nobody does Christmas in July better than Sussex Inlet, where the annual Santa-fest is on Jacobs Drive (near the park and church) from 3.30pm-7pm. Expect the jolly red fellow to appear with his reindeer alongside circus acts, kids activities including a free movie in the cinema, live music, food trucks and of course, Christmas lights. From 9am, browse around the local community markets.
Saturday 11 July, Line Dancing in Tomerong: Revival Line Dancing is holding a beginner-friendly line dancing night at Tomerong Hall from 6pm. Join in for $20 as the experts walk through the routines and even take requests. A great way to warm up on a cool winter’s night.
Saturday 11 July, Platypus Spotting: Join members of Shoalhaven Landcare at the Hampden Bridge in Kangaroo Valley for some platypus spotting along the river. Wear something warm and bring your camera. Meet at 4pm and stay as long as you like.
Sunday 12 July, Local Markets: While some showers may be lingering across the coast, there are three excellent markets on the schedule, but we recommend checking their socials before you head out. Huskisson Markets is slated for the sports fields on the edge of town, from 8am-2pm, it’s one of the largest such events across the region. Further south, the Ulladulla Wharf Markets make a picturesque stroll along the working harbour, from 8am-1pm. For those who value fresh local produce and a minimum carbon footprint, head to the Kangaroo Valley Farmers Markets behind The Friendly Inn and don’t forget your shopping basket, 9am-1pm.
Sunday 12 July, Paint in the Paddock: The low winter morning light provides the perfect conditions for an outdoor painting adventure at Worrowing, the 250-acre bushland property along the Wool Road where artist Amy Kinzett will guide a small group of painters on a three-hour workshop from 9.30am. Start with some sketching for composition and move onto oil painting under the tutelage of Amy, who assures this is suitable for all skill levels. For $70 the workshop includes art materials, a warm drink and a snack.
Monday 13 July, Nature Talk: Find out why tree hollows are so important for our wildlife at this free talk at Nowra Library. Reserve your seat online, starts at 5.30pm.
Tuesday 14 July, Women’s Health Talk: Perimenopause & Beyond is the topic of a free information session at Nowra Library, from 5.30pm. A representative from the Illawarra Shoalhaven Menopause Service will unpack what menopause really is, what happens during perimenopause, and what to expect in the years beyond. Register now to attend this talk designed to support women with practical, evidence‑based information to help make sense of changes during midlife.
Thursday 16 July, Silver Swans Ballet Class: Sussex Inlet is a fitting location for adults ballet classes, now on every Thursday morning at the Ellmoos Centre guided by Chrissy from Chrissy Edwards School of Dance. These classes are suitable for all levels, including beginners, and you can book a slot or ask Chrissy for more details on 0427 422 462.
Saturday 18 July, Xmas with Marine Rescue JB: La Vespa Italian Restaurant and Marine Rescue Jervis Bay are teaming up for a buon natale in Vincentia. For $45 per person, get in the Christmas spirit with three courses and a visit from Santa. Funds raised from a raffle and silent auction will go towards maintaining the rescue craft that keep our waters safe.
Sunday 19 July, JB Slow Sessions 2nd Birthday: Join the musicians and singers of the Jervis Bay Slow Sessions to celebrate two years of monthly gatherings, to play and sing traditional Irish and Celtic music. Sandbar Restaurant on Hawke Steet Huskisson is hosting the party, with music from 3pm and a special Irish-style meal on offer $35 alongside the regular menu. All instruments and voices are welcome.
Wednesday 22 July, NYE for Business: The Shoalhaven Business Chamber is hosting a networking evening to kick-off the new financial year at Silos Estate, members $10/non-members $20. Meet your peers and mingle from 5.30pm and let them know if you would like to stay for dinner—with enough takers, the restaurant will open especially.
Thursday 23 July, Skylarking at the Museum: For anyone who has visited Cape St George and the ruined lighthouse, there remains a sense of unease around the tragic events that are noted on the visitor information signs. For author Kate Mildenhall, they became a novel (Skylarking) and now, a decade later, a real-life epilogue to the story. For one night only, Kate will talk more about this intriguing chapter in Jervis Bay’s history, in conversation with Dr Rose Searby at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, $20 includes a drink and refreshments, doors open 5.30pm.
Thursday 23 July, Planet Film at Sussex: See the documentary, How to Poison a Planet, for $20 at Sussex Inlet Cinema including wine & cheese and a meet-and-greet session, a great way to be a part of our community caring for the environment. Reserve your seat online, doors open 5pm and the screening starts at 6pm.
Saturday 25 July, The Rock Screening in Husky: Spend the afternoon with Shoalhaven First Nations Film Festival for screenings of The Rock—a film by local storyteller Luke McLeod-Ebsworth made possible by SFNFF—and Wolfram, the latest film from Warwick Thornton. Based on stories by his grandparents and set in Central Australia in the 1930s, Wolfram follows two Aboriginal children stolen from their mother and forced into labour at a mining camp. Read our story about the making of The Rock, and book your ticket to see these Indigenous films for $15.
Saturday 25-Sunday 26 July, Berry in Bloom: A flower show like no other, the camellias will be put in force at Berry School of Arts hosting the national as well as local camellia competitive show. $7 entry with plants and refreshments available to purchase.
Sunday 26 July, the Zoo Comes to Culburra: Cantina Loco Lane is serving up a treat, hosting Filipino BBQ truck Kayle from 11.30am plus a visit from DragonTraining Mobile Zoo at 1pm. The zoo is known for its exciting hands-on reptile experiences, perfect for all ages.
Sunday 25 July, Seafood Celebration: A dozen top chefs and seafood producers from across the south coast are collaborating on an odyssey of seafood sustainability and seafood preparation, and you are invited to witness the techniques, hear about the producing and taste the bounty. From 4pm till 10pm, seafood will be centre stage at Worrowing, the 250-acre estate in Jervis Bay, with tickets priced from $266.
Plan Ahead—Diary-worthy events coming up on the South Coast
Friday 31 July–Sunday 2 August, Citrus Fest Kangaroo Valley: Workshops, dinners, tours and high tea are all on the program at Kangaroo Valley’s inaugural Citrus Fest, a celebration of all things zesty at the peak of the season. Learn how to grow and care for your trees, or how to preserve the fruit in so many delicious ways. Discover zesty cocktail ideas and join a long table dinner in the KV Hall. There are activities designed for kids as well.
Saturday 8 August, Walk for Women’s Safety: The 10th annual SASSI 30 fundraising walk along the Jervis Bay coastline is raising funds for domestic violence survivors in the Shoalhaven and women and children at SASSI’s crisis accommodation sites. Gather at 8am in White Sands Park for a photo-worthy mass start, then choose your distance along the route to Hyams Beach. Register now and help make our community a safer place.
Saturday 8 August, Bangalay + Bundanon Feast: The two renowned restaurants of the South Coast are collaborating for a special evening of dining at the art museum in Illaroo, inspired by Bundanon’s current exhibition, Man on Fire: Visions of Nebuchadnezzar. Tickets are $160 with an optional drinks package $60.
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.
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.
