FRIDAY 17 JULY: Ready to head out around the Bay and Basin this weekend? On Saturday, buy a centenary raffle ticket under the new rooftop sculpture at Tomerong Food Hall, or support young creative makers at the Cambewarra youth market. Then on Sunday, head to Huskisson to celebrate two years of traditional Irish music at Sandbar Restaurant.
Things to Do Right Now
Listen to our third podcast. This week, our two guests are instrumental in creating inclusive music-making opportunities within our community and they invite you to discover for yourself the joys of making noise together. Hear from choir leader Dr Tina Broad and Irish session player Fran Clements about some musical adventures you can take part in right now.
Swing along with Bonnie Kay & the Sweet Patooties tonight at Tomerong Hall, as they unpack their suitcase full of blues, jazz and cool originals. Enjoy their honeyed harmonies and purrrfect rhythm from 7pm, tickets $25/$22 +bf.
Explore the theme “Between Light & Reason” as you prepare to enter an artwork into the Halloran Contemporary Art Prize 2027, which is now open until 30 November. Visit the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum to find inspiration among the collection and read the full entry requirements to get started.
Scroll through this whole story to discover some unexpected things to do coming up in the next 8 weeks, that we believe are worthy of planning ahead. You might find something intriguing. Have your diary ready.
What Else is Happening Around the Bay & Basin
Saturday 18 July, Tomerong Food Hall: Along with your fresh local produce, pick up some raffle tickets at the Tomerong Food Hall this Saturday to support the venue’s centenary celebrations. Your $5 investment (or 5 for $20) could win you one of three prizes with accommodation, dinners, merchandise and more in the mix, drawn on 17 October. While shopping from 8am-1pm, look up to admire the celebratory artwork, “100” atop the hall, created by sculptor and local resident, Akira Kamada. If you are an aspiring café/kiosk operator, the Hall is seeking expressions of interest until 24 July, request an info pack via tomeronghall@gmail.com.
Saturday 18 July, Clifton Gardens Open Morning: Visit the community green space, Clifton Gardens in Sanctuary Point for a cuppa and a cake to help raise funds to sustain the gardens. Open from 10am-12pm, there will also be preserves for sale along with some plants and veggies.
Saturday 18 July, Youth Market in Cambewarra: Head to the Cambewarra Community Hall for a day of youthful creativity at the Empower Me Winter Youth Market. Support talented young makers, artists, creators, and entrepreneurs as they showcase their products, skills, and passions. From handmade goods and artwork to unique gifts and delicious treats, it’s on from 9am-1pm.
Sunday 19 July, Irish 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. There will be cake.
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, 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.
Thursday 23 July, Wildlife Talk: The Green & Golden Bell Frog is one subject of a free wildlife talk, at the Fox Ground fire shed from 6pm. Join wildlife experts, Garry Daly, Beth Mott and Alex Pike, and Landcare Shoalhaven to learn about some of our region’s most vulnerable and fascinating species. Please register your attendance to find out more about the animals, plants and ecological systems under threat and what we can do to help.
Friday 24 July, Intro to Reformer: If you have been thinking about joining a pilates reformer class, but you’ve never done it before, this 4-week introductory program at Balanced Physio & Pilates in Vincentia Village may be your way in. Spend a few Friday mornings from 10.30am learning the ropes, for $149.
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, National Tree Day events: Take part in some local revegetation projects to celebrate National Tree Day, including “Re-veg the Edge” in Berry and “Healthy Trees, Healthy Seas” in Mollymook. These events and more can be found via Shoalhaven Landcare.
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.
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. You can hear Angie talk about the Festival on our recent podcast.
Sunday 2 August, Tea & Tones: Steep in the sounds of the local forest and the soundscape created by music artist Scott Gillespie while you sip Oolong tea served in exquisite ceramic ware served in a meditative ceremony by Jax Wechsler at their Falls Creek property (10min drive from Huskisson or 15min from Nowra). Reserve your spot to enjoy some gentle reflection, from 1.15-3pm, $40.
Friday 7 August, Young Designer Entries Due: If the young designer in your life aged 5-18 is entering the poster competition for the Spring into Sanctuary Point festival, the deadline is today. The youth organisation, Firefly Bay & Basin is hosting the competition for the best poster, which will become the artwork for this year’s event. Find the entry details here.
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. Keep your eye out for the annual Women’s Art Calendar 2027, for $30 with all proceeds going to the Nowra women’s refuge.
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.
Sunday 9 August, Nowra Town Band in Performance: “Light & Heavy” is the theme for a new show by the Nowra Town Band, from 2pm. Tickets are $20/$10 cash at the door for a foot-tapping afternoon that includes a lucky door prize and refreshments.
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.
