The Firefly Bay and Basin team put their heads together and decided rather than a morning tea or a group walk we would provide the community with a resource. This is focused on the families of tweens and teens and is filled with ideas around the Bay and Basin they can do this week and beyond to build stronger families and a stronger community.

Our team mate Christine tested out some new IT skills and has built this amazing interactive map for the tweens to get their parents involved in things they may like to do.  Show your children the map, pick an activity and get to it. The map can direct you and suggest ideas.  Remember our community assets are not just for the tourists.  Grab the family and the dog and head to a public space you have not yet experienced.

During our consultations in the community many of the children we spoke to loved the natural environment in which we live, they love fishing, boating, walking on the fire trails, biking to name a few. Enjoy this resource we have made for the community and build a stronger family by doing what you love together.  

• Boating
  • Launch kayaks at Paradise beach reserve and go for a paddle along Sanctuary Point’s stunning foreshores and beaches.
  • Head over to Plantation Point on a Sunday and watch the Jervis Bay Yacht Club yachts race each other in beautiful Jervis Bay. This park also has BBQs, toilet facilities and a playground.  

• Swim
  • Have a family picnic or BBQ at Palm Beach, Sanctuary Point. This great park has shallow waters for little ones, a lovely playground, sandy beach, grass areas and toilets.  
  • Grab your snorkelling gear and head over to Shark Net Beach, Huskisson. Snorkel around the rocks at this calm beach; you’ll be surprised at what you see.

• Fishing
  • Head over to Sanctuary Point Boat Ramp and watch the fisherman bring home their catch. Next to the boat ramp is John Williams Reserve which has a playground, grassed areas and fish cleaning facilities. Even better, go out on a boat to fish.  
  • Head over to Basin View Boat Ramp and watch the fisherman bring home their catch. Near the boat ramp is a playground, grassed areas and fish cleaning facilities. Even better, go out on a boat to fish.  
  • Go fishing off the jetty at the end of Island Point Road, St Georges Basin, also known as Pelican Point. You’ll understand why it’s called Pelican Point when you get there!
  • Husky Wharf is great to wet a line for a day of fishing. 
  • Fishing licencing can be obtained online, by phone or from a local fishing fee agent
    • NSW DPI – Nowra, 4 Woollami Road, Huskisson
    • Bob Boat Hire-Huskisson, 78 Willowford Road, Woollamia
    • St Georges Basin Newsagency & General Store, 6/128 Island Point Rd, St Georges Basin
    • Sanctuary Point Bargains & Gifts, 2/26 Paradise Beach Rd, Sanctuary Point
    • Jervis Bay Caravan Park, 785 Woollamia Road, Huskisson
    • Basin View General Store, Shop 1 1 Tallyan Point Road, Basin View

• Walking/Bushwalking – We are spoilt for bushwalks in the Bay and Basin.
  • Head over to Corramy Regional Park Basin view and take a walk along the Delta or Anabranch walking tracks. Take a packed lunch and have it by the water at Wandandian Creek Picnic area.
  • Walk part of the Round the Bay Walking track from White Sands park Huskisson to Plantation Point Vincentia. 
  • Take the family for an easy bushwalk along the White Sands Walk, which starts at the Southern end of Nelsons Beach. Explore beaches and parks along the way. Listen to the birds and look out for native animals such as echidnas, lizards and kangaroos.
  • Take the family for a walk along Blenheim beach to collect unoccupied shells and shell grit to use in a craft project, e.g. decorate a picture frame and insert a family photo. While you are there, remember to take 3 for the sea.

• Meet some of Jervis Bay’s birds by taking a walk along the Hyams Beach trail or, as the local’s call it, Bird Spotter’s walk.
  • Take the family for a walk along The Basin Walk, this easy track is great for all the family.
    – Short Walk: Palm Beach to Paradise Beach Reserve
    – Longer Walk: Palm Beach to St Georges Basin (Loralyn Avenue)  

• Cycling
  • Dust off the bikes and go for a ride along the Huskisson to St Georges Basin Cycling route. Join the route and choose your direction.  
  • Get the adrenaline pumping at Basin View pump park.
  • Cycling: Moona Moona Loop Track. Go for a family BMX ride along the Moona Moona Loop Track.
  • Cycling: Pump up your tires and go for a bike ride around Bayswood. Starting at the fire trail next to Crossroads Fire Station, ride towards Bayswood Estate, take the bike path along Coaster Circuit ending in Pacific City Park, Bayswood.

• Skating
  • Go skating at the Sanctuary Point Skate Park or play a game of basketball.

• Picnic/BBQ
  • Head over to Jervis Bay Martine Museum and feed the fish at their fish pond (fish food available on the pier for a small donation). You will be amazed at the range of fish found in the pond. After this, take a stroll along the mangrove walk. Children especially like seeing the tiny crabs when the tide is out.
  • Find one of the many free BBQs in the area and have a BBQ breakfast by the water. What a beautiful way to start the day.
  • Have a picnic by the water at Wandandian Creek Picnic area.

• Rock Hopping
  • Go rock hopping at one of the local beaches; our favourite is Moes Rock in Booderee National Park but watch out for the waves.
  • Explore the rock pools at Sailors Beach, Huskisson at low tide to find a range of sea creatures. 

• Culture
  • Explore Booderee National Park; they have it all! Botanical gardens, swimming, bushwalking, camping and more.
  • Grab your camera or phone and start snapping photos of local beaches as part of Council’s 100 Beach Challenge.
  • Explore Sanctuary Point Library or the mobile library, grab some books, or lend out a movie you can watch together.

• Fur Family
  • Take your fur baby on a family walk on Nelsons Beach. This beach is dog friendly and has an off-leash exercise area at limited times. 

4pm – 8am – 1 Oct – 30 April

3pm – 10am – 1 May – 30 Sept.

• Let your dog run free and work on its agility at the 24 Hour off-leash fenced exercise area Clifton Park, Sanctuary Point

• Exercise
  • Plantation Point: Get your families hearts pumping at the outdoor exercise equipment.
  • Paradise Beach Reserve: Get your families hearts pumping at the outdoor exercise equipment.
  • take the footy to the Francis Ryan Reserve and have a kick. 
  • Take your cricket gear to head over to the Sanctuary Point Cricket oval and athletics ground and play a game of rounders with family and friends.
  • Grab out your bibs and netball and play a friendly game at the Wool Lane Sporting Complex
  • Huskisson Sport Ground – Who doesn’t like a friendly game of soccer.  
  • Take the footy to the Vincentia Sports Grounds and have a kick. 

Firefly Bay and Basin is one of several pilot projects in NSW that have run since 2019. They explore ways for communities to work together to improve the lives of children, young people and families. These pilots are funded by the not-for-profit organisation Uniting. Uniting is responsible for social justice, community services and chaplaincy work of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT.

Article developed by Christine McInerney-Percy and Carolyn Ardler