Plantation Point reserve is located in Vincentia, a small town on the NSW South Coast. Less than three hours drive South from Sydney and North from Canberra.
The reserve was originally named Lambs Point in Huskisson South. Huskisson South became Vincentia in 1843, when the first post office opened.
Plantation Point reserve is well set up, taking the complete area of Plantation Point, skirted by Nelsons and Barfleur Beach on one side and Plantation Point road on the other. The park has recently been refurbished by Shoalhaven Council, and includes picnic tables with shelters, gas BBQs, a toilet block with showers and a children's playground, which caters for children aged between 2 and 8 years of age.
Covered tables and gas BBQs
Grassed areas are in abundance with lots of room for ball games, kite flying, frisbees and other boisterous activities. Dogs are also allowed in this area, provided they are kept on a leash. Even on the busiest days finding a parking spot is not difficult, as the reserve has two parking areas. Street parking is also allowed.
Plantation Point reserve hosts many activities throughout the year. Their most popular activities include Candles by Candlelight and a Dog's Christmas Party, which is a sight to see as owners take great delight in dressing up themselves and their four legged friends in festive outfits.
The centre of Plantation Point Reserve hosts a wilderness area which is a great attraction for adventurous children who love to hide and explore in the safety of park confines, although it's not unusual to find wildlife including rabbits, wallabies, kangaroos and snakes hiding in there too.
Signs warn against overnight camping and that park rangers patrol this area regularly.
Shoalhaven Council have future plans to upgrade the reserve further, including a look-out at the tip of Plantation Point, which when finished will include a whale watching platform - however no immediate date has yet been established for the start of this development.
Volcanic rock at Barfleur Beach
Barfleur Beach is located to the west of the reserve. Access to the beach is easy from either a walkway to the boat ramp or a set of established well-maintained steps.
The boat ramp which leads from the reserve onto the beach is best suited to small crafts such as kayaks, catamarans, skiffs and single masted sailing boats. Once you leave the tarmac area, the boat ramp is sand from the beach, supported by natural volcanic ground formation covered by shallow water. This is not a good spot for launching larger motor vessels.
The boat ramp and reserve is used by the Vincentia Sailing Club between August and April on Sunday afternoons, but is a public area so is open to all users.
This area is a great vantage point to watch the larger airborne New Year's Eve fireworks, which are launched from sea barges in Huskisson.
It is not unusual to find whales basking in this area around June to July and again in September to October, as they take refuge within Jervis Bay.
