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Jervis Bay Territory

About the profile areas

The 2023 Estimated Resident Population for Jervis Bay Territory is 307, with a population density of 4.53 persons per square km.

Location and boundaries

Jervis Bay Territory is located to the east of Shoalhaven City. Jervis Bay Territory is bounded by the localities of Wrights Beach and Hyams Beach and Jervis Bay in the north, the Tasman Sea in the east and south, and Sussex Inlet and St Georges Basin in the west.

Name origin

Jervis Bay Territory is named after Jervis Bay, which was named after Admiral Sir John Jervis.

Profile areas
Jervis Bay Territory

Settlement history

European settlement of the area dates from the 1860s when a lighthouse was built at St George. Population was minimal until the 1880s when a small settlement was established on the western side, with land used mainly for crop growing and animal grazing. A guesthouse was also established at this time. Land was set aside for a Naval College in 1911, which operated from 1915 to 1930, and then reopened in 1958. Booderee National Park (originally named Jervis Bay National Park) was created in 1992. The population fluctuated in recent years, due to changes in dwelling stock, dwelling occupancy rates and the average number of persons living in each dwelling. The majority of people who live in the area are located at the Navy base, or in small Aboriginal communities.

Land use

Jervis Bay Territory is predominantly national park, with a naval establishment at HMAS Creswell, and three small (mainly Aboriginal) communities at Jervis Bay Village, Wreck Bay Village and Green Patch. The area also has four private leasehold holiday properties; Bay of Plenty Lodges, Christian’s Minde, Kullindi Homestead and RTBU Holiday Park.

Major features

  • Major features of the area include Booderee National Park (including Lake Windermere,
  • Lake McKenzie and Blacks Waterhole),
  • Booderee Botanic Gardens,
  • HMAS Creswell,
  • Jervis Bay,
  • Sussex Inlet,
  • Jervis Bay Marine Park,
  • Bowen Island,
  • St Georges Head,
  • Wreck Bay,
  • Bherwerre Beach,
  • Cave Beach,
  • Green Patch Beach,
  • Kittys Beach,
  • Murrays Beach,
  • Steamers Beach,
  • Whiting Beach,
  • Cape St George Lighthouse,
  • Jervis Bay Airport and Jervis Bay School.
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