The most unique stays in Jervis Bay & Shoalhaven

Tuck yourself away in a luxurious tent 

The owners of Paperbark Camp were inspired to bring their Jervis Bay glamping operation to life after a safari trip to Africa. Tucked away amid native forest, the canvas tents are built above the ground to give privacy and comfort, and to capture the sea breeze – this also means they leave a light footprint. No expense has been spared inside, from the polished hardwood floors to the quality linens, freestanding tub in the ensuite, daybeds on decks and handmade amenities. Diversions range from hiking and cycling (bikes are available for guest use) to an in-tent massage. Don’t miss dinner at The Gunyah restaurant, where the menu heroes native produce.    

Paperbark Camp, Woollamia

Get sandy on a private beach 

Enveloped by the rainforest of Booderee National Park, The Cove Jervis Bay is a little pocket of whitewashed paradise. Depending on the size of your party, the houses and cabins here can accommodate between two and 23 people, with each equipped with self-catering facilities – there are also glamping tents with access to shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. When you’re not chilling out in your abode or the spa, feel the sand beneath your feet on The Cove’s private beach (bliss!) or hit up the on-site Playground and Village Green to enjoy outdoor games for the whole family.  

The Cove Jervis Bay, Jervis Bay - Credit: The Cove Jervis Bay

Enjoy a touch of romance at a couples-only retreat 

When you need some quality alone time with your beloved, make a booking at the couples-only Hyams Beach Seaside Cottages. Originally cabins for the region’s fisherfolk, the seven cottages have been lovingly transformed with pastel exteriors and light-filled (yet cosy) interiors – perfect for a romantic weekend away. Pull up a chair on your private deck, open a bottle of something bubbly, and soak up the serenity of your setting, with bush and ocean views.     

Hyams Beach Seaside Cottages, Hyams Beach

Sleep in sustainable style 

Barefoot luxury is the name of the game at Oyster Catcher Huskisson, an architecturally designed house that is as dramatic in design as it is dreamy in location. Bring your friends or family, as there’s space to sleep eight guests in comfort – plush king-sized beds and sumptuous linens await. After days exploring nearby beaches (you’re just 300 metres from the sand), enjoy dinner beside the outdoor firepit, including goodies from the thoughtful welcome hamper.   

Oyster Catcher, Huskisson - Credit: Oyster Catcher Huskisson

Tee off from your doorstep 

If you’re a golf fanatic, you’ll be in heaven when you check in to Bangalay Luxury Villas. The 16 sleek accommodations here feature views of the garden or the golf course, while design perks include a fireplace, north-facing deck, full kitchen and luxe Aspar amenities. Meanwhile, the rest of the complex includes a pool as well as applauded restaurant, Bangalay Dining. You can pre-order a picnic basket of treats to enjoy at the beach, perhaps, or sit down to a delicious meal that showcases Indigenous ingredients like finger limes, pickled quandong, lemon myrtle, wattleseed and strawberry gum.  

Bangalay Luxury Villas, Shoalhaven Heads - Credit: Bangalay Luxury Villas

Gaze at the horizon from a jaw-dropping infinity pool 

Bannisters has three unique accommodation options in Mollymook, including By the Sea, the Pavilion and the Beach House. All are swoon-worthy, but for poolside points, it’s hard to look past the former. Dive in here and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic sea views from your clifftop perch, as well as coastal-chic rooms and suites that capture the capture the ocean eye-candy outside. This is another hotel that comes with a restaurant worth checking in for: Rick Stein at Mollymook comes courtesy of the celebrity chef, known for his dedication to cooking sustainable seafood like Bermagui swordfish, Jervis Bay rock lobster and Shark Bay scallops.   
 

Bannisters by the Sea, Mollymook - Credit: Bannisters by the Sea

Sleep in a (former) school 

Occupying a heritage 1860s building that was once a schoolmaster’s residence, Eleven Eighty will have you never wanting to leave the classroom. Original features have been preserved across the three bedrooms and living spaces, with niceties like an open fireplace, period furnishing and plenty of pops of colour. The property also features a two-bedroom cottage that is light and breezy with wooden floors and a contemporary fit-out throughout. As an added bonus, you’re just a 10-minute drive from the restaurants and boutiques of Berry.  

Eleven Eighty, Coolangatta - Credit: Eleven Eighty

Get back to nature on a working farm 

Mt Hay Retreat is the kind of place you’ll step in to… and never want to leave. Perched high on a hill and surrounded by rolling green fields, the retreat has just a few suites to choose from. Which means privacy and exclusivity are practically guaranteed. Each abode comes with its own kitchen, as well as an expansive private deck and alfresco tub – if you’re not soaking here, make the most of the long indoor pool and spa, with views over the Berry countryside. Switch off, relax, repeat.  

Mt Hay Retreat, Berry - Credit: Mt Hay Retreat