With its striking white sand beaches, turquoise waters and spectacular coastal scenery, Jervis Bay is made for exploring on foot, and you don’t need to commit to an all-day hike to see some of its very best scenery. The short but scenic White Sands Walk packs an impressive stretch of the NSW South Coast into just 2.5km, winding through coastal forest and dazzling beaches on the way from Greenfield Beach to Hyams Beach. Taking just around 90 minutes, the trail offers plenty of opportunities to stop for a swim in clear turquoise waters, enjoy a picnic or simply linger by the ocean, with dolphins and native wildlife sightings also possible along the way. Better still, it’s less than three hours from Sydney and perfectly timed for a sunny spring day trip or long-weekend adventure. Here’s what you need to know before hitting the trail.
Explore five pristine white-sand beaches in one spectacular walk
The main route begins at Greenfield Beach picnic area in Vincentia, before heading south along the edge of Jervis Bay. Greenfield Beach is worth exploring before setting off, with a broad sweep of striking white sand backed by bushland and a sheltered bay that’s popular for swimming. From here, the track ducks beneath the trees and follows the coastline towards Chinamans Beach, a quieter, hidden cove known for exceptionally pure sand and calm water.
Continue south and the track eventually emerges at Hyams Beach, the best-known stop on the trail and a fitting place to finish. Its brilliant white shoreline stretches along the bay, with clear water that can shift from pale aqua near the sand to striking blue further out. You can retrace the same route back to Greenfield Beach, or return via the Scribbly Gum Track, which swaps the oceanfront scenery for tall forest and lush woodland.
If you want to extend the walk and take in more of the pristine white coastline, start further north at Plantation Point instead. This longer approach adds Nelsons Beach and Blenheim Beach before reaching Greenfield Beach and joining the main White Sands Walk, giving you the full run of five beaches before finishing at Hyams.
Wildlife to look out for along the way
While you’re on the trail, keep your eyes on the water. Bottlenose dolphins are year-round residents of Jervis Bay and can sometimes be spotted from the shoreline, while the surrounding marine park is also home to seals and little penguins. Between May and November, migrating humpback and southern right whales add another possibility, with the spring months bringing whales south along the NSW coast. The surrounding national park supports a variety of native birdlife, with echidnas and kangaroos also making the rare appearance.
White Sands Walk: Key details
- Distance: 2.5km
- Time: Around 30–90 minutes
- Difficulty: Grade 3, with some short, steep sections
- Start: Greenfield Beach picnic area, Vincentia
- Finish: Hyams Beach
- Return: Retrace the coastal route or take the Scribbly Gum Track back
- Dogs: Not permitted
Read more about the White Sands Walk here.
Getting there
The White Sands Walk is in Jervis Bay on the NSW South Coast, around a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Sydney. The main trailhead is at Greenfield Beach picnic area in Vincentia, with parking available nearby. Driving is the easiest option, particularly if you want to explore more of Jervis Bay while you’re there, although public transport connections are available from Sydney to the region via train and bus. Plan your trip on Transport for NSW.
