This was published 10 years ago
Weekend Away: Boat Sheds, Jervis Bay review
By Lissa Christopher
One of the Boat Sheds at Worrowing, Jervis Bay.Credit: Lissa Christopher
Wallabies on one side, water on the other. Lissa Christopher finds a quiet spot to enjoy the serenity of Jervis Bay.
THE SETTING
Worrowing is an enviable 101-hectare property about two kilometres inland from Vincentia beach in Jervis Bay. It includes a range of accommodation options - from huts to cabins to houses - plus the owners' homestead and several dams. Hundreds of small kangaroos and red-necked wallabies also call Worrowing home. The property is about a 2½-hour drive from Sydney but it feels a world away.
THE SPACE
The three identical boat sheds, which have generous gaps and privacy screens between them, sit out over one edge of a large and lovely dam. They're a lot like houseboats, but without the disturbing rocking that comes with being afloat. A lot of the materials used to build them were recycled, including the hardwood floorboards, the bed frames, and the corrugated-iron external walls. Arriving at dusk, our shed and the discreetly lit duckboard path that leads to it look exactly like the picture. The interior design is elegantly rustic and open plan. The long narrow windows that run along the bottom of each shed reflect ripples onto the interior walls. The doorless bathroom is tucked neatly behind the sleeping area and has a shower but no bath. The sheds are suitable for couples or solo guests only. There are other options at Worrowing for families and groups.
THE KIT
Small TV/DVD player; a small but effective electric heater styled like a wood stove; a Weber barbecue; a small microwave; a bar fridge; and a fully equipped kitchen.
COMFORT FACTOR
The boat sheds are an excellent reminder of how little you really need to be comfortable. A doona, tea towels, a bath mat and pillows are provided, but unless you want to pay an extra $25 a person, bring your own sheets, bath towels and beach towels.
FOOD
Entirely BYO - and remember, you only have a kettle, toaster, microwave and the barbecue for cooking. Give yourself a break from kitchen duties and head for Huskisson, which is home to a good range of cafes and restaurants. There is also a Woolworths at nearby Vincentia.
WORTH STEPPING OUT FOR
The boat sheds are hard to leave. Staring out across the dam with a cup of tea or a gin and tonic in hand, thinking about as little as possible, are highly recommended "activities". The Jervis Bay area, however, is divine. Its attractions include adjective-defying beaches, fishing opportunities, bushwalks, and whale-watching cruises. Mooching around the cafes and shops along the waterfront at Huskisson is also a pleasant way to pass some time. Adrian and Jenny Robertson, who own and run Worrowing, provide a useful map and guide to the area.
THE VERDICT
Peace and quiet are the luxury elements here. The set-up in the sheds is fairly basic, but elegantly so. It's an ideal antidote to hectic city life and we wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Sydney, head south on the Princes Highway. Turn left onto Jervis Bay Road (about 12 kilometres south of Nowra). At the second roundabout (about 13 kilometres along the road), turn right onto The Wool Road. The driveway to No. 81 is about two kilometres along on the right. Total drive time is about 2½ hours.
ESSENTIALS
The boat sheds cost $440 for a two-night weekend stay; $350 for two nights midweek; $550 for five nights midweek, or $900 a week. Sheets and towels can be provided for an extra $25 a person. See worrowing.com.au.
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