Rainy day ideas, good food, and cosy stops on the NSW South Coast.

Most people come to Jervis Bay for the beach. White sand, clear water, dolphins on a Tuesday. But the South Coast has a habit of throwing a grey day into the mix, and when it does, Huskisson turns out to be a pretty good place to be stuck.

Here’s where to spend a rainy day well.

1. Start at Jervis Bay Distilling Co. Cellar Door

There’s no better rainy day excuse than tasting award-winning spirits where they’re actually made.

Jervis Bay Distilling Co. is a working distillery in the Woollamia Industrial Estate, two minutes out of Huskisson. The cellar door is open during weekday warehouse hours, which means you get a genuine look inside a small Australian craft distillery rather than a rehearsed tasting room experience.

Taste through the range, which covers coastal-inspired gins, vodkas, aperitifs and liqueurs, all distilled on-site using local botanicals and Jervis Bay rainwater. Speak with the people who actually make the products. Ask questions. On any given day you might see bottles being labelled, production underway, or a new batch being prepared.

Dogs are welcome, provided they’re friendly and comfortable in a working warehouse environment. ADF personnel and emergency service workers receive 10% off with valid ID.

Worth knowing: hours can vary around production and public holidays, so check before you make the trip

2. Settle in at Huskisson Hotel

After the distillery, head five minutes into town and you won’t need much convincing to stay a while.

Huskisson Hotel sits right on the water, and in winter the heaters are on, the bay views are through the windows, and the kitchen is firing on all cylinders. Executive Chef Anthony Telford runs a menu that goes well beyond pub food: woodfired pizzas, fresh seafood towers, smoked meat platters, and the kind of classics that earn a place on any menu by being genuinely good rather than just familiar.

The cocktail menu features Jervis Bay Distilling Co. spirits throughout, including the Jervis Bay Spritz, Limoncello Spritz, Amaretto Sour and Caramel Espresso Martini. If you tasted something at the cellar door that you liked, there’s a reasonable chance you can order it here in a finished drink.

Cosy room, great food, water views, and our spirits behind the bar. On a grey Jervis Bay afternoon, that’s a hard combination to argue with.

3. Pastries at Kraken Sourdough

For a slower start, Kraken Sourdough in Huskisson bakes small-batch sourdough and pastries on-site daily. Good coffee, good bread, genuinely worth the stop before you do anything else.

4. Fresh Seafood from Jervis Bay Shellfish Market

If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, this is the move. Jervis Bay Shellfish Market sells fresh local mussels and oysters direct from Jervis Bay Mussels. A rainy afternoon, a pot on the stove, garlic and white wine. You know how the rest goes.

5. PhycoHealth

Worth a visit if you’re curious about local innovation. Founded by marine scientist Dr. Pia Winberg, PhycoHealth in the Woollamia estate, use locally harvested seaweed in nutrition, gut health and skincare products. It’s an interesting stop and their products make genuinely distinctive local gifts.

6. Indoor Climb South Coast

If someone in your group needs to move, Indoor Climb South Coast in Huskisson offers bouldering and top-rope climbing for all levels, from first-timers to regulars. Good for families, couples and anyone who’s eaten one too many pastries from Kraken.

7. Jervis Bay Maritime Museum

For a quieter afternoon, the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum and Gallery in Huskisson covers local maritime history, navigational artefacts and the Halloran Collection. Calm, unhurried, genuinely interesting for history lovers.

---

A simple rainy day plan

Start your day by heading into Huskisson for coffee and pastries at Kraken Sourdough, then stop by Jervis Bay Distilling Co. for a mid-morning tasting. Then head to Huskisson Hotel for lunch paired with a JBD cocktail or two. Pick up fresh seafood from Jervis Bay Shellfish Market for dinner, or browse local products at PhycoHealth. If energy levels require it, finish at Indoor Climb South Coast.

Rain in Jervis Bay is genuinely fine. You just need to know where to go.

---

FAQ

What is there to do in Jervis Bay on a rainy day? Jervis Bay has several good indoor and sheltered options, including a working distillery cellar door, indoor rock climbing, a maritime museum, local bakeries and waterfront dining at Huskisson Hotel.

Is Jervis Bay Distilling Co. open to visitors? Yes. The cellar door is open during weekday warehouse hours at the Woollamia Industrial Estate, two minutes from Huskisson. You can taste spirits, buy direct and speak with the distillers.

Are there dog-friendly activities in Jervis Bay? Yes. Jervis Bay Distilling Co. and Huskisson Hotel both welcome friendly, supervised dogs at their venues. There are also many outdoor areas and beaches around Huskisson that are dog-friendly when the weather clears.

Is Huskisson worth visiting in winter or on rainy days? Absolutely. The town is quieter, the hospitality venues are more relaxed, and experiences like the distillery cellar door are genuinely better without summer crowds.