The Jervis Bay Region

The Jervis Bay region is on the south coast of New South Wales, approximately 200 kilometres south of Sydney and 25 kilometres southeast on the regional town of Nowra. The Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community village is nestled in the southern part of the Bherwerre Peninsula which forms the southern boundary of Jervis Bay. Jervis Bay is a very distinctive coastal embayment, unique on the south coast. The waters of the bay are protected from the swells coming in from the Tasman Sea by the prominent headlands of Beecroft Peninsula (Bundarwa) to the north and Bherwerre Peninsula (Berri-werri) to the south. Bowen Island, home to populations of little penguins and shearwaters (mutton birds) is situated in the narrow opening between the two headlands. The small size of the catchment and the presence of only one major creek – Currambene Creek – flowing into the bay means the waters are clean and clear. The protected nature of the marine environment and the clarity of the water support a rich diversity of marine life that is found nowhere else on Australia’s eastern seaboard.