The NSW South Coast boasts a number of beautiful beaches but none more magnificent than those in the Jervis Bay area, making them the perfect choice for your beach wedding ceremony.
There are two types of beaches in Jervis Bay, Council run beaches and beaches run by the National Parks and Wildlife Services. Choosing the perfect beach for your wedding ceremony can be confusing as each beach has different guest number capacities and rules and some require a permit while others don't.
We've written this article to make it easier for you to plan your perfect NSW South Coast Beach Wedding in Jervis Bay.
Shoalhaven Council Run Beaches
Council run beaches are broken into three categories. Small, medium and large function areas. Different rules apply to each however all beaches allow only biodegradable confetti, bubbles or loose rose petals and the service of any alcohol (where permitted – noting that some reserves in the Shoalhaven are declared as Alcohol Free Zones) will be carried out by a person(s) with a valid RSA accreditation. Police must also be notified of any function serving alcohol.
Small Function Areas
No Council booking, permit or fee is required.
Maximum number of people (including children) at the private function is 50.
Maximum duration of the function is 3 hour (incl. set up/ pack up).
Infrastructure is limited to a personal/ ‘pop up’ marquee (maximum 3m x 3m), one wedding arbour, one table and 10 chairs (that can be carried in and out of the public reserve).
Public Address (PA) systems are not permitted.
Read full list of conditions HERE.
Our recommend Council beaches in Jervis Bay that fall under the small function category are Blenheim Beach and Hyams Beach.
Blenheim Beach
Blenheim Beach is located in Vincentia. It is a smaller secluded beach less popular with the tourists therefore making it ideal for a wedding ceremony. Featuring beautiful white sand, crystal clear water and surrounded by gorgeous bushland, this beach is perfect for wedding photos. The beach is located down some stairs so it may not be suitable if you have guests with mobility issues. There is parking and toilet facilities.
Photos by Nora Devai Photography
Hyams Beach
Located in the Village of Hyams Beach this beach features a long stretch of white sand, and aqua crystal clear water. This beach is very popular especially in the summer months but if you are prepared to walk a little further south you should still be able to find a quiet spot for your beach wedding ceremony. There is parking and toilet facilities. Please note that during peak holiday seasons and school holidays, Hyams Beach gets very busy and often car access will be limited into the village once the parking areas become full. It is best to choose a different beach if you're planning on getting married at that time.
Photos by Nora Devai Photography
Medium Function Areas
A booking, permit and fee of $499 is applicable.
Maximum number of people (including children) at the private function is 100.
Maximum duration of the function is 3 hours (incl. set up/ pack up).
The organiser must delegate a Function Safety Coordinator (in the application), who must be on site at all times during the function.
Infrastructure is limited to two personal/ ‘pop up’ marquees with a maximum size of 9m2, one wedding arbour, two tables, 50 chairs, an aisle runner and 2 flags.
Public address (PA) systems are permitted but must be battery operated.
Read full list of conditions HERE.
Our recommend Council beach in Jervis Bay that falls under the Medium function category is Callala Beach in front of the Callala Community Hall.
Callala Beach
This gorgeous beach features a long stretch of white sand with crystal clear waters. The resident Dolphins can often be spotted swimming by. There are some steps leading down to the beach. There is parking and toilet facilities.
Photos by Nora Devai Photography
Large Function Areas
A booking, permit and fee of $1010 is applicable.
Maximum number of people (including children) at the private function is 200.
Maximum duration of the function is 6 hours (incl. set up/ pack up).
If a marquee is to be erected a minimum 100m2 up to maximum 300m2 total floor area is permitted.
The organiser must delegate a Function Safety Coordinator (in the application), who must be on site at all times during the function.
Public address (PA) systems are permitted but must be battery operated.
Read full list of conditions HERE.
Currently there are no beaches within Jervis Bay that allow for large functions however there are a number of grassed reserves next to the beach. Our pick is Plantation Point Reserve.
Plantation Point Reserve
Located in Vincentia, this large grassed reserve is located right on Nelsons Beach which is a long white sand beach with a spectacular rock platform at the point know as Plantation Point. With beach on one side and the bay on the other, this reserve gives you great options for your wedding photography. The actual beach isn't visible from the reserve but it's only a short path away. There is bbq, parking and toilet facilities.
Photos by Nora Devai Photography
You can view other reserves and beaches suitable for weddings within the Shoalhaven HERE.
To book your beach wedding ceremony in Jervis Bay please use Council’s new online booking system HERE.
NSW National Park Run Beaches
Our top picks of beaches run by NSW National Parks for beach weddings in Jervis Bay are Greenfields Beach and Chinaman's Beach. Both are run by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services and have a number capacity of 80 guests including children. Both beaches require a booking, permit and a fee of $50 to $140 is applicable depending on number of guests.
Rules:
There is no smoking or pets allowed.
Limited alcohol consumption by guests is permitted and amounts must be detailed on application form.
Max. 15 chairs and small table for signing the wedding certificate is allowed.
No erection of temporary decorations (flags, banners, streamers, ribbons, balloons, flowers, signs, lighting)
No erection of temporary structures (arbours, archways, posts, poles, portable gazebos, marquees, tents)
Confetti, rice, petals, vines or any plant material are not permitted.
One single speaker portable PA system or music player with an amplifier no greater than 50 watts.
Greenfields Beach
Located in Vincentia this gorgeous beach is our top pick for a beach wedding ceremony. It features sparkling white sand and glistening turquoise waters in a natural bush setting. It has easy access (no stairs) plenty of parking and a small attached reserve with bbq and toilet facilities.
Photos by Nora Devai Photography
Chinamans Beach
Located next to Hyams Beach, Chinamans Beach shares the same glistening white sand and turquoise waters. Vehicle access is via Hyams Beach Village so best to avoid during peak holiday seasons. The beach is accessed via a short bush path from the northern end of Cyrus Street in Hyams Beach Village. It is a little hidden gem with the same white sand as neighbouring Hyams Beach but more secluded. There is off street parking only and no toilet facilities.
Photos by Nora Devai Photography
To book either Greenfields Beach or Chinamans Beach for your beach wedding ceremony contact:
The Local National Parks Office
Ph: 02 4428 6300
npws.shoalhaven@environment.nsw.gov.au
Booderee National Park Beaches
Other stunning beaches in Jervis Bay to consider for your beach wedding ceremony are within the Booderee National Park. Our picks are Greenpatch Beach and Murrays Beach. Permits are given on a case by case basis. Booderee is part of the ACT so they are not run by the NSW National Parks.
Greenpatch Beach
Located within Booderee National Park this beach has a flat easy access though it is a few minutes walk from the carpark. Kangaroos can often be seen as well as a range of wildlife from Lorikeets to Echidnas. This beach is very popular in the summer months. There is bbq, parking, camping and toilet facilities.
Photos by Nora Devai Photography
Murrays Beach
A beautiful beach that looks out to Bowen Island. Access to this beach is a 500m bush path from the carpark so it may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. The toilets are located in the carpark.
Photos by Nora Devai Photography
For more information about wedding permits and fees within Booderee National Park contact:
Permits administrator Ph: 02 4442 1006 /02 4429 7227 Fax: 02 4443 8302 Booderee.permits@environment.gov.au
Jervis Bay Reception Venues
There are plenty of options for your wedding reception in Jervis Bay.
If you are having an intimate wedding you may consider holding your wedding reception at one of the excellent local restaurants. Depending on numbers you may be able to book the whole restaurant out. Our top picks are Kanpai Japanese, Sandbar Huskisson, Wild Ginger, The Quarters Huskisson, The Huskisson Pavillion or Portside Cafe.
For larger weddings there are the local clubs like Club Jervis Bay and the Vincentia Golf Club. If you are after a DIY wedding venue then you can hire out one of the local halls like Huskisson Community Centre, Callala Community Hall, Jervis Bay Maritime Museum or Tomerong School of Arts.
If you are after a dedicated reception venue with onsite accommodation for you and your guests then the perfect choice would be one of the excellent local wedding venues like Worrowing Estate, The Woods Farm, The Cove Jervis Bay and Bewong River Retreat. If you don't mind a bit of a drive there are also amazing wedding reception venues just a short 25 minutes drive away in the suburbs surrounding Nowra like, Terara, Pyree and Numbaa.
Check out our South Coast Wedding Venues page HERE for some excellent options.
View local accommodation options HERE
We hope that you have found this article useful when considering a Jervis Bay beach wedding.