Huskisson to Vincentia Shared Path

The Huskisson to Vincentia Shared Path, known locally as the Round the Bay walk, runs 11.6 km along the edge of Jervis Bay in the Shoalhaven. It is fully paved and flat, dogs stay on lead the whole way, and the walk must not be extended south into Booderee National Park, which bans dogs completely.

The walk. Allow 2.5 to 3 hours for the full 11.6 km. The moderate rating comes from the distance rather than the grade: the path is paved, flat and wide enough for prams, wheelchairs and bikes. Shorter versions of roughly 5.7 km to 10 km return are easy to pick depending on which car park you start from. You pass the Moona Moona Creek bridge, White Sands Park and Plantation Point, plus the white sand of Huskisson, Collingwood and Orion beaches.

The rules. Dogs must stay on lead on the shared path, and Shoalhaven City Council lists the Collingwood cycleway section as on-leash specifically. The rule that matters most sits at the southern end: Booderee National Park prohibits dogs entirely, so do not follow the path into it. Off-lead time is available beside the path rather than on it. Collingwood Beach and the Vincentia foreshore reserve, from the northern end of Ilfracombe Avenue to the boat ramp at the end of Holden Street, is an off-leash area, though the cycleway through it stays on-leash. Nelsons Beach, and Huskisson Beach between Nowra Street and Tapalla Avenue, are timed: off-leash 4pm to 8am from 1 October to 30 April, and 3pm to 10am from 1 May to 30 September.

Water. Jervis Bay is calm, shallow and clear along here, and the timed off-leash beaches give a dog a real swim rather than a paddle at the edge. Low tide opens up much more sand to walk on. High tide is when the Moona Moona Creek bridge fills up with people jumping off it.

Getting there. Park at White Sands Park on Bowen Street in Huskisson, at Moona Moona Creek, or at Plantation Point in Vincentia. Start at White Sands Park and head south, or at Plantation Point Parade and head north. All three have public toilets and drinking fountains, and there is bike hire in the Huskisson town centre.

Nearby with the dogs. Harley's @ Husky and Portside Cafe are the obvious stops afterwards. Holiday Haven Huskisson Beach and SALT Beach House in Vincentia both sit close to the path, and Clifton Park Fenced Dog Park at Sanctuary Point gives a fenced off-lead run with no tide times to check.

When to go. Early morning or late afternoon dodges both the sun and the crowds, and lines up with the timed off-leash hours at Nelsons and Huskisson. Weekends and school holidays are the busiest. Good for big runners.

Sources

• Dog off-leash and prohibited areas, Shoalhaven City Council · shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au
• List of existing off-leash and prohibited areas, Shoalhaven City Council · doc.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.