Is Honeymoon Bay accessible to the public?

Yes — when the Beecroft Weapons Range road is open. The range is generally open on weekends, public holidays, and school holidays when no Defence activities are scheduled. Always verify access before making the drive — check the Shoalhaven Visitor Centre or the information point at the range entrance.

How far is Honeymoon Bay from Huskisson?

Approximately 45–60 minutes by car via Currarong and the Beecroft Peninsula Road. The route goes north from Huskisson, north on the Princes Highway to the Currarong turnoff, through Currarong, then through the Defence range to the peninsula.

Is Honeymoon Bay good for families with young children?

Day visits work well for families with children aged 4 and up — the beach is beautiful and calm. Overnight camping with very young children requires careful preparation given the basic facilities (no showers). July is cold; wetsuits are recommended for any swimming.

Do you need a 4WD to reach Honeymoon Bay?

No — the main sealed road to Honeymoon Bay and Point Perpendicular is accessible in a standard passenger vehicle in dry conditions. No 4WD is required for the main access route.

Can you camp at Honeymoon Bay?

Yes — there is a basic campground with pit toilet facilities. Camping requires a permit — confirm current booking requirements and availability with the Shoalhaven Visitor Centre or the relevant Jervis Bay Territory authority before your trip. No showers, powered sites, or camp kitchen are available.

What is the best time to visit Honeymoon Bay with kids?

Summer (December–February) for swimming, snorkelling, and camping comfort. July school holidays are excellent for the lighthouse walk and whale watching from Point Perpendicular, but the water is cold for swimming without a full wetsuit. Spring (September–October) offers warm-enough water with fewer crowds.

Is Point Perpendicular worth visiting from Honeymoon Bay?

Strongly recommended — approximately 15 minutes further along the peninsula. The lighthouse, near-vertical white cliffs, and panoramic views across Jervis Bay are extraordinary. In winter it's one of the region's best shore-based whale watching vantage points.

Honeymoon Bay and Beecroft Peninsula With Kids: The Planning Guide

Honeymoon Bay sits on the Beecroft Peninsula — the northern arm of Jervis Bay's entrance — looking south directly across one of Australia's most extraordinary bays. It's a campground in the full sense: basic facilities, no powered sites, no showers, and an access road that passes through an active Royal Australian Navy weapons range. The access restrictions are the defining planning challenge: the range road is generally open on weekends, public holidays, and school holiday periods, but conditions can change with operational requirements. Always verify before making the drive. For families who do the planning properly, Honeymoon Bay is one of the most genuinely spectacular beach camping experiences on the NSW South Coast.

Quick Facts
Location	Beecroft Peninsula, Jervis Bay Territory, NSW
Access	Via Beecroft Peninsula Road through the Beecroft Weapons Range — verify before visiting
Open Days	Generally weekends, public holidays, and school holidays when range not in use
Always Check First	Shoalhaven Visitor Centre or the Visitor Information Point at the range entrance
Facilities	Basic — pit toilets only; no showers, no powered sites, no kiosks
Drive from Huskisson	Approximately 45–60 minutes via Currarong
Nearest Supplies	Currarong general store — stock up before the peninsula
Add-On	Point Perpendicular Lighthouse — approximately 15 minutes further along the road

The Essential First Step: Checking Access

The Beecroft Weapons Range is an active Royal Australian Navy facility. The road to Honeymoon Bay and Point Perpendicular passes through the range and is subject to closure when the Navy is conducting activities. As a general rule, the road is open on weekends, public holidays, and school holiday periods — but this is not guaranteed and can change with operational requirements. Before making the drive, always verify current access conditions: check the Shoalhaven Visitor Centre, or look for the Visitor Information Point at the range entrance. Arriving at a closed gate after a long drive is a frustrating experience that is entirely avoidable with a quick check beforehand.

Getting There: The Route from Huskisson

The most practical route from Huskisson goes north via Woollamia Road to the Princes Highway, then north to the Currarong Road turnoff, through Currarong, and along the Beecroft Peninsula Road through the Defence area to Honeymoon Bay. Total drive time from Huskisson is approximately 45–60 minutes — confirm with your maps app before the trip. Currarong is a small coastal community and the last opportunity to stock up on supplies before the peninsula. The Beecroft Peninsula Road is sealed for most of its length and a standard sedan handles it comfortably in dry conditions — no 4WD is required for the main access road. During school holiday periods, leave early: access road queues can form when the range first opens, and popular camping spots fill quickly.

Honeymoon Bay: The Beach and Camping

Honeymoon Bay is a small, sheltered cove on the western (Jervis Bay) side of the Beecroft Peninsula, looking directly south across the bay toward Hyams Beach. The water colour and sand quality are typical of the bay side: extraordinary clarity, white sand, and calm conditions. Swimming is excellent in warmer months (October–April); in July, full wetsuits are recommended for anything more than a brief wade. The camping area at Honeymoon Bay is basic — pit toilets are provided, but there are no showers, powered sites, sink facilities, or camp kitchen. Bring everything: gas stove, water supply, all food, and rubbish bags (take everything out). Camping requires a permit — confirm current booking requirements with the Shoalhaven Visitor Centre or the relevant Jervis Bay Territory administered area authority before your trip. A full day visit without camping is also satisfying: picnic, swim or snorkel, headland explore, and return before the range closes.

Point Perpendicular Lighthouse: The Add-On Worth Making

Once on the Beecroft Peninsula, the Point Perpendicular Lighthouse is approximately 15 minutes further along the road from Honeymoon Bay. The lighthouse sits on a dramatic headland at the northern entrance of Jervis Bay — near-vertical white cliffs dropping to the ocean, panoramic views across the entire bay, and a historically significant structure that has guided ships since 1899. The walk from the car park to the best viewpoints is short and manageable for most ages. In winter, this is one of the premier shore-based whale watching vantage points in the region — the migration corridor runs directly past the headland and humpbacks are regularly visible from June through early August. The combination of Honeymoon Bay picnic and swim plus the lighthouse walk makes for a full and genuinely memorable day on the peninsula.

What to Bring: The Essential List

There is nothing to buy on the Beecroft Peninsula. Stock up in Currarong or before you leave Huskisson. Essential items: all food and water for the day or overnight; gas stove and cooking equipment if camping; all rubbish bags (take everything out — no bins on the peninsula); full wetsuits if swimming in winter; sun protection, warm layers, and windproof jackets for the clifftop walk; binoculars for whale watching at Point Perpendicular; a first aid kit; downloaded offline maps (mobile coverage is limited to absent on much of the peninsula); and a print or downloaded copy of your camping permit if staying overnight.

School Holiday Visits: Key Planning Notes

During NSW school holidays — including the winter break from 6 to 17 July 2026 — the Beecroft Peninsula is typically open and more popular than at other times. Arrive early: the access gate opens at a set time and queues can form. Popular camping spots at Honeymoon Bay fill on the first available day, so secure your permit in advance rather than arriving speculatively. Day visitors have more flexibility, but early arrival still gives you the best of the day before afternoon sea breezes change conditions. For the winter school holidays specifically: the beach is too cold for non-wetsuit swimming for most children, but the lighthouse walk, whale watching at Point Perpendicular, and a picnic at Honeymoon Bay looking across the bay are all excellent even in July. Pack warm layers and windproof jackets — the headland can be brisk.

Wildlife on the Peninsula

The Beecroft Peninsula's isolation from regular vehicle and pedestrian traffic means its wildlife is in exceptionally good condition. Common wombats are regularly seen on and around the access road — drive slowly at dawn and dusk. Eastern grey kangaroos graze on the peninsula grasslands. The headlands at Point Perpendicular are excellent for seabirds — short-tailed shearwaters, Australasian gannets, and in winter, albatross are all possible offshore. Shore birds on the bay side include pied oystercatchers, little pied cormorants, and white-bellied sea eagles. Dolphins are regularly sighted in the water off Honeymoon Bay and the bay entrance. In winter, whale sightings from the headlands are genuine highlights of a peninsula visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Honeymoon Bay accessible to the public?: Yes — when the Beecroft Weapons Range road is open. The range is generally open on weekends, public holidays, and school holidays when no Defence activities are scheduled. Always verify access before making the drive — check the Shoalhaven Visitor Centre or the information point at the range entrance.
How far is Honeymoon Bay from Huskisson?: Approximately 45–60 minutes by car via Currarong and the Beecroft Peninsula Road. The route goes north from Huskisson, north on the Princes Highway to the Currarong turnoff, through Currarong, then through the Defence range to the peninsula.
Is Honeymoon Bay good for families with young children?: Day visits work well for families with children aged 4 and up — the beach is beautiful and calm. Overnight camping with very young children requires careful preparation given the basic facilities (no showers). July is cold; wetsuits are recommended for any swimming.
Do you need a 4WD to reach Honeymoon Bay?: No — the main sealed road to Honeymoon Bay and Point Perpendicular is accessible in a standard passenger vehicle in dry conditions. No 4WD is required for the main access route.
Can you camp at Honeymoon Bay?: Yes — there is a basic campground with pit toilet facilities. Camping requires a permit — confirm current booking requirements and availability with the Shoalhaven Visitor Centre or the relevant Jervis Bay Territory authority before your trip. No showers, powered sites, or camp kitchen are available.
What is the best time to visit Honeymoon Bay with kids?: Summer (December–February) for swimming, snorkelling, and camping comfort. July school holidays are excellent for the lighthouse walk and whale watching from Point Perpendicular, but the water is cold for swimming without a full wetsuit. Spring (September–October) offers warm-enough water with fewer crowds.
Is Point Perpendicular worth visiting from Honeymoon Bay?: Strongly recommended — approximately 15 minutes further along the peninsula. The lighthouse, near-vertical white cliffs, and panoramic views across Jervis Bay are extraordinary. In winter it's one of the region's best shore-based whale watching vantage points.