Boardwalking among the Bay trees

The author enjoys a walk among the big gum trees in Vincentia. Photo: Heather Matthew

One of the things about Australian family life is that it gives you an excuse to go for roadtrips to “visit the relies”. Really it’s an excuse to put on Spotify 80’s road trip music, hit the highway packed with thermos and cut lunches and head south to Jervis Bay.

With friends and relies all around this area, the place I love to stay in most is Vincentia. It’s a bit away from the wind and bustle of Huskisson and it has its own village style. Of course there are plenty of shops to peruse but I love the nature walks.

First thing in the morning I borrow a dog or two and head down to the boardwalk with the dogs bounding on their leashes.

It’s a board walk I call the Vincentia bay tree walk (Round the Bay Walking Track), because it hugs the bay and all along its length from the village to the Vincentia Sailing Club you are immersed in trees. They lend an elegance to the walk that is unique. It’s a great chance to unwind and get into nature (without getting your feet dirty).

Walking the boardwalk you are slightly elevated, amongst big old tree trunks with branches forming an overhead arch. It’s the Hilton for birds, calling across from one branch to another, as they go about their avian business.

There are pathways and stairs to the beach from the Walking Track, like this one down to Orion Beach. Photo: Samantha Tannous

I was a bit shocked to read that Jervis Bay is also one of the last areas for critically endangered species such as the Little Tern. A bit south of Vincentia is Hyams Beach which is known for such birds as new holland honey-eaters, eastern spinebills, and rosellas.

There’s plenty of other wildlife. One of my favourite experiences is of driving to visit family through the streets of Old Erowal Bay where the kangaroos and wallabies graze on the front lawns . I’ve also awoken to evidence of night visits by kangaroos at the B&B we were staying at in Vincentia.

I haven’t got to the lighthouse yet, it’s on my list. Yet another reason to book my next holiday and get all the relies to meet up at one central location. Next time I’ll pack my hiking shoes ( or not…).