View across the inlet near the boathouse

Sussex Inlet
Small coastal township with a tranquil setting
Sussex Inlet is essentially a narrow, attractive, winding stretch of water that connects the Tasman Sea to St Georges Basin. The township (population 2324) is 204 km south of Sydney via the Princes Highway. The turnoff along Sussex Inlet Road is 4 km south of Wandandian.

Once occupied by the Dhurga Aborigines the first European settler was Jacob Ellmoos, a migrant from Schleswig-Holstein in Prussia. Ellmoos arrived in Sydney in 1878 then sailed and fished his way south. Having obtained a letter of introduction to the lighthouse keeper at Cape St George on Jervis Bay he set up camp there. During a fishing excursion he came across Sussex Inlet and was captivated by the combination of plentiful fish stocks and a beautiful and tranquil locale. Granted 100 acres of land on the eastern side of the Inlet he proceeded to bring out his parents and siblings.

The family erected a guest house, 'Christian's Minde' in 1896, the only one of its kind between Port Hacking, at the southern end of Sydney, and Twofold Bay. The name means 'Christian's Rest' after Jacob's brother, Christian, who died of pneumonia after surviving several hours in the water when his boat overturned in St Georges Basin.

Wandandian, supposedly meaning 'home of lost lovers', was settled in the 1850s. Dairying and timber were the initial local industries and mechanical sawmilling began in 1910. They have been supplanted by fruit-growing and hobby farms.

With a number of lengthy beaches lining the watercourse Sussex Inlet is essentially a tourist resort, ideal for fishing and swimming. The population in 1986 was 1705.

Things to see:  

Christian's Minde

Christian's Minde
Christian's Minde is located on what is now Ellmoos Rd, which runs from the south-eastern tip of the Inlet to the Visitors Centre at the entrance to the Jervis Bay National Park. It was originally frequented by Sydneysiders who journeyed by coach to the northern shore of St Georges Basin and then by boat, in order to enjoy the seclusion and the fishing.

A road was cleared to the naval base at Jervis Bay by Jacob's brother and nephew in 1940 and the guest house was converted to self-contained flats in the late 1940s. The buildings are still of interest and have been classified by the National Trust. They still offer self-contained units of accommodation with frontages to the calm, safe waters of the Inlet. There is a large surfing beach, renowned for its fishing.

Water Activities
There are five boat ramps, four at Sussex Inlet South and one to the north.The all-purpose ramp to the north is right next to the public wharf.

Boats are also available for hire from Sussex Inlet Marine Centre on Jacobs Drive (02 4441 2086) and from South Sussex Marine, Reserve Road (02 4441 2074). The latter doubles as a local tourist information centre. They can therefore furnish more exact dates for the fishing carnival that is held each May.

There is sailing and, in season, prawning, at nearby Swan Lake. Berrara, just south of the lake, offers ocean, beach and rock fishing.

	Motels
	Bentley Waterfront Motel 164 River Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2052 Rating: ***
	Sussex Inlet Motel/Hotel Cnr Jacobs Dve & River Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2711 Rating: ***
	The Ranch Motel 56 Iverson Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2007 Rating: ***
	Cottages & Cabins
	Alonga Waterfront Cottages 166 River Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2046 Rating: ***
	Sussex House Cottage 199 Jacobs Dve Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2017
	The Springs Holiday Cabins Yarowa Ave Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2067
	Caravan Parks
	Alamein Carvan Park Alamein Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2031
	Anchorage Caravan Park 200 River Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2598
	Badgee Park 148 River Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2146 Rating: **
	Cedar Pines Caravan Park 204 River Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2254
	Kalua Caravan Park 173 River Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2065
	Kerri-Ann Caravan Park 40 Sussex Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2395 Rating: **
	Lakeside Cabins & Holiday Village Goonawarra Dve Cudmirrah Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2516 Facsimile: (02) 4441 2314 Rating: ***1/2
	Riverside Caravan Park 96 Sussex Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2163 Rating: **
	Riviera Caravan Park 158 River Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2112 Rating: **
	Seacrest Caravan Park Sussex Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2333
	Shang-Ri-La 212 River Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2011 Rating: **
	Siesta Caravan Park 165 River Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2706
	Sussex House Caravan Park 199 Jacobs Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2017
	Swan Lake Tourist Village 4 Goonawarra Dve Cudmirrah Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2219 Facsimile: (02) 4441 2219 Rating: ***1/2
	Talofa Caravan Park 178 River Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2214
	Snappy Gums Caravan & Camping Park 128 Springs Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2222 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Bentley Waterfront Motel 164 River Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2052
	Sussex Inlet Bowling Club St Georges Ave Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2087
	Sussex Inlet Motel/Hotel Cnr Jacobs Dve & River Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2711
	Sussex Inlet RSL Club Jacobs Dve Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2076 Facsimile: (02) 4441 1646
	The Ranch Motel 56 Iverson Rd Sussex Inlet NSW 2540 Telephone: (02) 4441 2007