Celebrate Food, Artists, Musicians and More this week in Jervis Bay
The weather may be cooling down but the calendar is still hot with so many incredible activities to join, businesses to support and innovators to celebrate. As we do, especially for you, we’ve rounded up a selection of what’s on in Jervis Bay & Basin and beyond. Enjoy!
Vote for Huskisson in the Top Tourism town awards – aerial view from shallow sand creek to waterfront. Adobe Stock
Autumn Celebration of Food
Naturally we start here. So many amazing events from food truck style to fine dining, there’s something for everyone with over 70 events on the program from now through to the June long weekend. JBW team had a marvellous time at the launch event this week at Milton’s Altar Bar, the excitement from our restaurants, vendors and specialists in food and beverage is palpable and the service from the young hospo staff-in-training from Ulladulla Highschool was exceptional. Hearty congratulations to the team of largely volunteers, what an exceptional effort.
The Autumn Celebration was officially launched this week with Phil Riley from Altar Bar, host of the launch event with Fiona Phillips MP, the Hon. John Graham, NSW Minister for Tourism, Shoalhaven Food Network head Di Laver and Liza Butler MP. Photo via Facebook
Read this great article from Ben at Shoalhaven Food Network for the story behind-the-scenes and his top recommendations.
Here’s a few more suggestions, but please be aware that tickets are selling super fast.
Check the Shoalhaven Food Network website for even more inspiration.
Battle on Burton happens this Friday 3 May, a middle eastern feast with Phoebe’s cafe and Albert N Miso teaming up to offer six courses, alongside Tractorless Wines and Jervis Bay Brewing Co – limited tickets left for this one, $85.
Cinco de Mayo hosted by Mexican food truck La Cocina at Husky Sports, this Saturday night 4 May from 6pm. Prepurchase your tickets (essential) and celebrate Mexican culture with great food, music and dancing. Jo from La Cocina talked us through the menu and it sounds mouth-watering, $79. Mexican-inspired drinks for purchase at the Husky Sports bar. Tickets are only on sale for a very short time (till 10am Saturday), so get onto the booking site now.
One to whet your appetite for later in the month, Battle of the Burger is exactly what it sounds like, you get to vote for your fave out of a dozen options on sale at Husky Sports, 11-4pm on Sunday 19 May.
Swordfish + His Boy Elroy
Food truck sensation His Boy Elroy is taking over the kitchen at Swordfish Brewing in Sussex Inlet from Wednesday 8 May to Sunday 12 May, serving lunch from midday to 3.30pm and dinner 5-8pm (except Sunday).
You can book a table online or chance it by just turning up to this picturesque location on the water, and dine on Elroy’s classic burgers, wings, fries, toasties and more. There are two plant-based burger options and the Heisenburger (southern fried chicken patty tossed in franks hot sauce, blue cheese ranch, fried shallots and green oak lettuce) sounds very tempting indeed.
His Boy Elroy takes over the kitchen at Swordfish Brewing in Sussex Inlet from Wednesday 8 May. Photo: supplied
Markets for Mothers Day Gifts and More
Milton Showground Markets Saturday 4 May, 9-2pm, loads of ideas for Mothers Day gifts – too many to list here!
Culburra Beach Market Sunday 8-1.30pm Fred Evans Lane, of course even more great ideas for Mothers Day gifts and an indoor venue if the weather isn’t playing nice.
Berry Markets at the Berry Showground, Sunday 5 May 8:30-2pm (weather dependent). Yep, Mothers Day gifts…
While you are in Berry, or actually, just go to Berry this weekend to see the Berry Quilt Show. Held at the Berry School of Arts, the talented textile artists who create these masterpieces always put on a sensational show. Friday 3 & Saturday 4 May 9:30-4pm and Sunday 5 May 9:30-3pm.
A sample of the sensational art quilts on display this weekend at the Berry Quilt Show. Photo via Facebook
Don’t forget that Thursday is farmers market day in two great locations,
Nowra Fresh Food Market in Harry Sawkins Park in Nowra and
Berry Farmers Market in the Bowlo. Stock up on freshness, and support local.
Top Tourism Vote
Huskisson, Berry and Ulladulla are in the running for some great accolades in the Top Tourism Town awards, and you can vote for all three of our nominees as the top tiny town, small town and, well, town for 2024. Voting closes on 13 May so do it now before you forget.
Loving Live Music
Nexas Quartet is a trailblazing saxophone ensemble, performing a great lineup of music this Saturday at the Kangaroo Valley Hall from 5pm. Tickets $70 or a special price for under 30s of $25, for their show, “From Paris to New York”.
Nexas Quartet, a trailblazing saxaphone ensemble is playing in Kangaroo Valley. Photo via Facebook
Sunday Sessions 5 May
Vic & Linds duo at Jervis Bay Brewing Co from 4pm, this is truly the best way to see out the weekend in style. Their tight vocal harmonies and multiple instruments are just the trick.
If you get to the brew-pub a little earlier, you will be rewarded with a shiny range of classic Kombi vans, and more at the Shoalhaven Volkswagen Muster from 11am.
The Castaways at Cupitt’s Estate from 12.30pm, Leah and Tom are another sensational duo who always delight with their combination of pop, folk, country and blues.
Three Hours South are this Sundays’ rooftop entertainment at Bannister’s Pavilion, cruisy and fun covers with a twist, from, 5pm, we are truly spoilt for choice this weekend.
Opening Hours in colder weather
With the weather cooling down, and daylight savings over, off-peak opening hours are starting to kick in for many venues, so please check their details before you head out. Here’s a few updates to have handy.
Vincentia golf club restaurant, Bamboo River, hours are Wednesday to Sunday, Lunch 12-2pm, Dinner 5:30-8:30pm. We have heard good things recently, so a trip up the hill is in order.
Flamin Galah colder months opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday from midday till 8 or 9pm, details on their socials including live music and what’s new on tap from master brewer, Sam.
Cuppitt’s Estate will be reducing its hours over winter so make a booking to guarantee your trip is worthwhile.
Jervis Bay Shellfish Market over in the industrial zone of Husky is currently doing Thursdays and Fridays 10-2, so you can stock up on mussels, prawns and oysters for the weekend.
Skin science
Seaweed innovators, PhycoHealth are gearing up for a round of investment, this time in their new skincare product, Phyaluronic acid. Express interest via Swarmer, and receive an invitation to join an online Q&A with founder, Dr Pia Winberg and chief scientist, Dr Helen Fitton.
Murals Trail latest addition
Did you know there’s a Nowra Murals Trail? A brand-new mural celebrating Sarah Emily Morton who was the first Country Women’s Association Nowra Branch President – by local artist Clayton Campion (he also did the sign writing for Bud’s Tavern, among many other things). Check out the incredible list of murals and the trail map, including this one at the rear of the Council carpark.
A new addition to the Nowra Mural Trail by Clayton Campion. Photo: supplied
Ephemeral art in the forest
Congratulations to local JB artist Akira Kamada for his installation, ‘Spirit Run’, part of the Snowy Valley Sculpture Trail. Akira’s ephemeral installation was one of 38 new artworks added to the growing collection (now over 50) clustered through villages, forests and wineries in the area. Part of the Bushfire Recovery Program for the area, it was initiated, and is curated, by Sculpture by the Sea.
Akira’s work is made largely from the fallen branches and shredded bark covering the forest floor and snakes through the trees for 27 metres. Akira will visit for maintenance a couple of times a year for the next 5 years, by which time it will probably have run itself into the ground, but hopefully will continue to provide habitat.
Akira Kamada’s addition to the sculpture forest on the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail is a 27-metre long structure made from materials off the forest floor. Photo via Facebook
Call Out for Artists
River of Art Festival in our neighbouring shire of Eurobodalla is on this year, 27 September to 7 October 2024. The organisers are inviting artists and organisations to participate in the Arts Trail and the arts program, by 19 July 2024. See their website for more information on who can join in.
Open Field Berry has announced the dates for its event next year, 13-15 June 2025. Artists of all kinds are invited to apply to participate, by 31 July 2024, via this link.
The Berry Writers Festival is another great avenue for artists, find out more about the program for this year, 25-27 October 2024, including the impressive author list.
Have Your Say on land sale
Shoalhaven City Council invites us to have our say on their proposed property sales, that they suggest will help the current financial situation. Council voted to immediately sell nine properties and there are 15 more up for review under this proposal. Details and how to make your views known are on this link, by Friday 23 May 2024.
Plan Ahead for Next Week
Beautiful Stitching. Join in an embroidery love-in alongside the elegant fashion exhibition of Collette Dinnigan fashions at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, with experienced local embroiderer, Leslie Lockwood. There are a few places left in both morning sessions, either Wednesday 8 May or Saturday 11 May but book soon. Materials and morning tea are included in the $30 ticket price along with entry to see the exhibition, which also includes fashion from Romance Was Born.
Mothers Day Classic. There is still time to register to walk or run in the upcoming Mothers Day Classic, to raise funds for research into breast and ovarian cancer. The Huskisson course is 3km, 5km or 10km, from 8.45am in Voyager Park on Sunday 12 May, standard entry fee is $34 till this Sunday 5 May, then it goes up a few bucks.
Gather your team to walk or run in the Mothers Day Classic, coming up in Huskisson from Voyager Park. Photo via Facebook
