Run Huskisson And Husky Triathlon 2026: A Sanctuary Point Stay Guide
On the last weekend of October, Huskisson turns into a two-day endurance festival. Run Huskisson takes over the bay foreshore on Saturday 31 October 2026 with everything from a 2.5 km fun run to a full marathon, then Triathlon Huskisson follows on Sunday 1 November with swim, ride and run events for adults and kids. It is a brilliant weekend to be in Jervis Bay, and it is also the weekend Huskisson's streets and car parks are at their busiest. Staying at Sanctuary Point, on the quieter St Georges Basin side, gives runners, triathletes and their supporters a calm base with the race precinct a short drive away.
Key Takeaway
Run Huskisson (Saturday 31 October 2026) and Triathlon Huskisson (Sunday 1 November 2026) are run by Elite Energy from White Sands Park on the Huskisson foreshore. The organiser warns that parking in Huskisson is extremely limited on event days and that roads will close, so a base outside town that can feed a group, sleep everyone and absorb early starts makes the weekend far easier. Sanctuary Point is that base.
Before You Commit To The Weekend
Event details change from year to year, so lock in the things that decide your plans before you book flights, entries or dinners.
1Confirm the dates and start times: Check the Elite Energy event pages for Run Huskisson and Triathlon Huskisson, as times were listed at the time of writing and can move.
2Read the road-closure notice: The organiser publishes an interactive map and notification document for closures and shuttle parking. Plan your drive from Sanctuary Point around it.
3Book accommodation first: Event weekends fill the Jervis Bay area quickly. Sort the house, then the entries, then the extras.
Three Layers To A Good Race Weekend
The best event trips give the athletes what they need and the supporters something better than standing around. Build the weekend in layers.
1The events: Saturday's runs and Sunday's triathlon, with race-pack collection on Saturday afternoon.
2The bay: Late-season whale cruises, the White Sands Walk, Booderee National Park and swims when the water suits.
3The Basin: Slow mornings on the Sanctuary Point foreshore, the games room, the deck and easy meals at the house.
The Weekend At A Glance: Two Days, One Foreshore
Elite Energy Event Management stages both events from Huskisson. At the time of writing, the organiser's pages list Run Huskisson for Saturday 31 October 2026 and Triathlon Huskisson (also called the Husky Triathlon Festival) for Sunday 1 November 2026, with the runs and the triathlon promoted as one festival weekend. The NSW Government events listing gives the same Saturday date, with the venue at Hawke Street on the corner of Bowen Street in Huskisson.
Saturday 31 October: Run Huskisson
Marathon, half marathon (solo or relay), 10 km, 5 km and a 2.5 km fun run. Event HQ at White Sands Park, start line on Bowen Street. The organiser describes a flat, fast course along the shores of Jervis Bay.
Saturday afternoon: race packs
Optional race-pack collection for the triathlon was listed for Saturday 31 October between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Collect on Saturday and Sunday morning becomes much calmer.
Sunday 1 November: Triathlon Huskisson
Standard, Sprint and Super Sprint triathlons, a Standard-distance Aquabike and a TriKidz Aquathon for ages 5 to 11. All races start on the beach with staggered start times.
Sunday start times (as listed)
Super Sprint 6:30 am, Standard and Aquabike 7:30 am, Sprint 10:30 am, TriKidz from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm by age group. Confirm on the event page before race morning.
The two-day format is what makes this weekend so good for mixed groups. A family can have a marathoner, a teenager doing the 5 km, a parent in Sunday's Sprint and a seven-year-old in the TriKidz Aquathon, all racing on the same foreshore across two mornings. Everyone else gets Jervis Bay in spring.
Run Huskisson On Saturday: Distances For Every Pace
Run Huskisson is the running half of the weekend and it is genuinely inclusive. The distance list at the time of writing ran from a 2.5 km fun run through 5 km and 10 km to a half marathon (with a relay option) and a full marathon. That range lets a group of very different runners enter the same event and finish at the same park.
Event HQ is at White Sands Park with the start line on Bowen Street, right on the Huskisson foreshore. That means supporters can watch the start, wander to the water, grab a coffee on Owen Street and be back for the finish without moving the car.
Marathon runners: plan the Saturday around the early startLonger distances usually start first. If you are in the marathon or half, have breakfast sorted at the house the night before, leave Sanctuary Point with a generous buffer for the drive and parking, and let the rest of the group follow later on the shuttle or on foot.
Triathlon Huskisson On Sunday: Swim, Ride, Run And TriKidz
Sunday belongs to the triathlon. The Husky Triathlon Festival offers a Standard distance, a Sprint, a Super Sprint and an Aquabike (swim and ride, no run) at Standard distance, plus the TriKidz Aquathon for children aged 5 to 11. All races start on the beach, which makes the transition area and the swim exit easy to watch from the sand.
The start times listed at the time of writing were staggered through the morning: Super Sprint at 6:30 am, Standard and Aquabike at 7:30 am, Sprint at 10:30 am, and TriKidz between 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm depending on age group. Those gaps matter for planning. A household with a Standard athlete and a TriKidz child will be on the foreshore from dawn until mid-afternoon, so the supporters need shade, snacks and a plan.
Race-pack collection was listed as optional on Saturday afternoon from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Take that option. Sunday's early start is far less stressful if the pack, timing chip and bike questions are handled the day before while you are already in town for the run.
Getting Into Huskisson On Race Days
This is the section that decides how relaxed your weekend feels. The organiser states plainly that parking in Huskisson is extremely limited during the event, that designated parking areas are set up at surrounding locations with a complimentary shuttle bus for participants and spectators, and that road closures will be in place. An interactive map and a notification document are published for the closures.
From Sanctuary Point the drive to Huskisson is short on a normal day, usually somewhere around 15 to 20 minutes depending on the route and traffic, but event mornings are not normal days. Leave earlier than feels necessary, follow the signed shuttle parking rather than hunting for a street park near the foreshore, and agree on a meeting point at White Sands Park in case the group splits.
If one person is racing and the rest are watching, consider two trips: the athlete goes early with their gear, the supporters follow once the sun is up. With the house only a short drive away, splitting the group costs very little and saves a lot of standing around in the dark.
On event weekends the smartest move is not finding the closest park. It is staying somewhere the parking problem does not follow you home.
Why Sanctuary Point Is The Right Side Of The Bay For This Weekend
Sanctuary Point sits on the northern shore of St Georges Basin, a large, sheltered waterway behind Jervis Bay. Shoalhaven Tourism describes it as a great base for exploring the Basin, with Booderee National Park, the white-sand beaches of Jervis Bay, and the seaside towns of Huskisson and Vincentia all a short drive away.
That geography is the whole point on a race weekend. You are close enough to reach the events easily, but you are not inside the closure zone. When the run finishes, you drive away from the crowds to a quiet street, a fenced yard and your own kitchen. When Sunday's triathlon wraps up, the celebratory barbecue is ten minutes of driving away, not an hour of queuing.
The suburb has its own everyday conveniences too: a shopping centre, restaurants, and a country club with golf and entertainment. Waterfront parks at Palm Beach, Paradise Beach and John Williams Reserve all have accessible toilets, and swimming, sailing, kayaking and snorkelling are all part of life on the Basin.
Supporting Well: Where To Watch And What To Bring
Supporters make race weekends. With Event HQ at White Sands Park and the start on Bowen Street, the Huskisson foreshore is the natural place to watch the run start, see athletes come through and be at the finish. On Sunday, beach starts mean the swim is easy to follow from the sand and the transition area is close by.
Pack for a long morning: hats, sunscreen, a light layer for the pre-dawn chill, water, snacks and something for children to do between passes. Spring on the South Coast can swing from cool and breezy at 6:30 am to warm and bright by mid-morning, so layers beat one heavy jacket.
Whale Season Is Still Running: Book A Cruise Around The Races
The race weekend lands right at the tail of Jervis Bay's whale season. Jervis Bay Wild, which operates from Huskisson, lists its whale-cruise season as mid-May to mid-November, with cruises departing at 10 am and 1 pm daily from the public wharf near the Fishermens Wharf restaurant, and a cruise length of two to three hours. Check-in is 30 minutes before departure.
Late October and early November are the southern migration, when humpbacks head back toward Antarctic waters, often with calves. Sightings are never guaranteed and operators say so, but the timing gives you a real chance to see whales in the bay on the same weekend you race beside it.
Confirm departure times, prices and the season end date directly with the operator, and remember that wharf-side parking in Huskisson is part of the same event-day squeeze described above.
The White Sands Walk: An Easy Morning For Tired Legs
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service lists the White Sands Walk and Scribbly Gum Track as a 2.5 km loop, grade 3, taking 30 minutes to an hour and a half. The main start point is the Greenfield Beach picnic area at Vincentia, and the walk can also begin from Plantation Point to the north for a longer outing.
It is a sequence of white-sand coves and coastal forest, with Chinamans Beach along the way and clear water for a swim when conditions suit. NPWS notes bird watching and the chance of dolphins on the coastal section, and possums and gliders on the woodland return.
Bicycles are not permitted on the track, including e-bikes and fat bikes. NPWS says the park is always open but may close at short notice for weather or fire danger, so check current alerts before you set off.
Booderee National Park: One Big Day On The Peninsula
Booderee National Park covers the southern arm of Jervis Bay and is managed through Parks Australia. At the time of writing, Booderee lists a one-day vehicle pass at $20 (concession $10), a one-year pass at $80 and a two-year pass at $110. Passes can be pre-purchased online or bought at the entry station, and you do not need a park pass if you enter on foot or by bicycle.
Give Booderee a whole day rather than squeezing it between events. Beaches and bush tracks reward a slow pace, and with the park a short drive from Sanctuary Point you can be in and out without a long day on the road.
Pre-booking a pass online is the easiest way to avoid queues at the entry station, especially on a weekend when the wider area is busy. Check the Booderee website for current opening hours, closures and any pet restrictions before you go, as national parks generally have strict rules about animals.
Home Turf: The Basin Foreshore Walk From Paradise Beach
You do not need to drive for a good walk. The Basin Foreshore Walk runs along the northern shore of St Georges Basin from Paradise Beach to Palm Beach, described as roughly 40 minutes each way with plenty of reasons to dawdle. Access points are at Palm Beach Reserve and Macleans Point (via Greville Avenue) and at Paradise Beach Reserve (via Walmer Avenue). Both reserves have car parking, picnic facilities and toilets.
Paradise Beach Reserve is the listing's named local spot, a few minutes' walk from the house according to the listing page. Use it for a quick swim when the water suits, a picnic lunch on the Friday you arrive, or a quiet sit while the athletes sort their gear.
Dogs are welcome on the foreshore walk on lead, with the local guidance noting that dogs must avoid Palm Beach and Red Head. Confirm current rules with Shoalhaven City Council before you rely on them.
Bringing The Dog: Off-Leash Rules Around The Basin And The Bay
Luna's Sanctuary allows up to two pets with prior approval, so plenty of guests will travel with a dog. Shoalhaven City Council's rule is simple: dogs must be on a leash at all times except in a designated off-leash area, and restricted, dangerous or menacing dogs cannot use off-leash areas. The council publishes a Dog Off-Leash Guide and a map for each locality, including Sanctuary Point, Basin View, Vincentia and Huskisson.
Clifton Park, Sanctuary Point
Listed locally as a fenced off-leash exercise area with no time restriction. The closest reliable off-leash run to the house.
Huskisson Beach
Timed off-leash: 4 pm to 8 am from 1 October to 30 April, and 3 pm to 10 am from 1 May to 30 September, with prohibited sections at the creek and wharf end, the sea pool and the southern end near Tapalla Avenue.
Nelsons Beach, Vincentia
Timed off-leash on the same seasonal hours. Neighbouring Collingwood and Blenheim beaches are dog-prohibited; the cycleway behind Collingwood is on-leash.
Basin foreshore and Hyams Beach
On-leash walking. Keep dogs away from Palm Beach and Red Head on the Basin walk, and expect national park areas to be off-limits.
On race weekend, the Huskisson foreshore will be crowded and partly closed, so a dog is better off at the house or on the Basin walk than at the start line. The timed hours above were current on local guides at the time of writing; the council's official guide is the source to confirm before you travel.
Eating Around The Weekend: Huskisson Favourites And Basin Basics
Huskisson is the food hub of the bay and the tourism listings name a solid spread: Wildginger for contemporary Thai with a cocktail and wine bar, Kraken Sourdough in the back lanes for bread and pastries, 5 Little Pigs on Owen Street for cafe fare, Sandbar Restaurant and Bar for local produce, the Huskisson Hotel for a waterfront pub bistro and seafood, The Fishermens Wharf overlooking the bay, Club Jervis Bay for casual club dining, Merciers Gelato and Coffee, and Bud's Tavern for an eighties-inspired pub.
On event weekend, book anything that takes bookings. A post-marathon dinner on Saturday night and a post-triathlon lunch on Sunday are the two meals most likely to disappoint if you leave them to chance. Trading hours vary by season and by day, so confirm directly before you rely on a particular venue.
For the rest of the meals, Sanctuary Point's shopping centre and local restaurants handle the basics. Do one proper grocery shop on arrival for breakfasts, race-morning food and one easy dinner, and the house kitchen does the rest.
Race-morning food belongs at the houseCafes near the start will be slammed before dawn. Buy your porridge, bananas, bread and coffee supplies on Friday and eat at the house before you leave. Save the cafe visit for after the finish.
Why Luna's Sanctuary Suits A Race Weekend In Jervis Bay
Luna's Sanctuary is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Sanctuary Point that sleeps up to eight, a few minutes' walk from the St Georges Basin waterfront according to the listing. It takes its name from the owner Andrea's dog, Luna, and it was set up as a relaxed coastal home with bright shared spaces and multiple living areas so a group can spread out.
For a run and triathlon weekend that layout is exactly what you want. There are two living areas with TVs, sofas, books and board games: one downstairs near the entrance, one upstairs with a large TV, sound system and sliding doors to the front balcony. Early risers can sort race gear downstairs while the rest of the house sleeps.
The converted-garage games room has table tennis, darts and fitness equipment, plus an undercover fitness space with open-air light. That means a light spin-out or stretch before the race without leaving the house, and something for kids to do while the adults recover on Sunday afternoon.
The upstairs kitchen has an island bench, gas cooktop, dishwasher and generous storage, with a dining space that seats six beside the balcony doors, and a kitchenette-style bench downstairs. Outside, the covered deck has outdoor dining and seating for eight with capacity to extend to ten, barbecue facilities and garden lighting, opening onto a fully usable, fenced backyard. Post-race barbecues sort themselves out.
The sleeping setup is three queen bedrooms, each with a ceiling fan, and a bunk room with two single bunks, so eight guests can be a mix of adults and children. One bathroom has a freestanding bath, the other a glass walk-in shower. Self check-in is via lockbox with self check-out, there is free parking on the premises including a disabled parking spot, and the house has a high-speed wifi plan. Pets are welcome, up to two with prior approval. Check the live listing for the current configuration and house rules before booking.
About this stay
Where Luna's Sanctuary fits this race weekend
Luna's Sanctuary is a short drive from the Huskisson race precinct but well outside the closure zone, on the quiet St Georges Basin side of the bay. Four bedrooms sleep eight, two living areas let early-rising athletes prepare while others sleep, and self check-in by lockbox suits late Friday arrivals.
The converted-garage games room with table tennis, darts and fitness gear, the covered deck with barbecue and seating for eight to ten, and the fenced backyard make the recovery side of the weekend easy. Up to two pets are welcome with prior approval, and the Basin foreshore walk is a few minutes away.
Picture a typical booking: two couples, three children and a grandparent. One adult is in Saturday's half marathon, another in Sunday's Sprint, the oldest child wants the 5 km and the younger two are in the TriKidz Aquathon. The grandparent is there to cheer and to mind small people.
Friday evening, the athletes lay out gear in the downstairs living area while dinner comes off the barbecue on the deck. Saturday starts early for the half marathoner, who drives to the shuttle parking alone; the rest follow after breakfast at the house, watch the finish, collect the triathlon race packs between 3 pm and 6 pm and are back on the deck by dusk.
Sunday is the long day on the foreshore. Everyone goes, with a bag of snacks and layers, and the house waits with a hot shower, a freestanding bath and a table-tennis rematch for whoever still has energy. Monday is Booderee or a whale cruise, then a slow drive home.
A race weekend works when the house absorbs the early starts and the late finishes. Two living areas, a games room and a deck do that quietly.
A Four-Day Race Weekend Itinerary From Sanctuary Point
Friday 30 October: Arrive, Shop, Walk The Foreshore
Check in via the lockbox, do the big grocery shop for race mornings, then walk to Paradise Beach Reserve and along the Basin foreshore toward Palm Beach. Dinner on the deck, gear laid out, early night.
Saturday 31 October: Run Huskisson
Athletes leave early for the shuttle parking; supporters follow. Watch from White Sands Park, coffee on Owen Street after the finish, then a swim or the White Sands Walk at Greenfield Beach if legs allow. Triathlon race-pack collection from 3 pm to 6 pm. A booked dinner in Huskisson or a barbecue at the house.
Sunday 1 November: Triathlon Huskisson
Beach starts from 6:30 am, with TriKidz in the early afternoon. Pack for a long day on the sand. Back to Sanctuary Point for showers, the games room and a slow evening.
Monday 2 November: Booderee Or Whales, Then Home
Buy a Booderee day pass online and give the peninsula the morning, or take the 10 am whale cruise from Huskisson if the season is still running. Late checkout is not assumed; confirm with the listing and plan the final morning accordingly.
What To Pack For A Spring Race Weekend On The South Coast
Race gear first: shoes, kit, bike and helmet, wetsuit if the organiser's rules require one, and a spare of anything that can break. Print or save your race confirmation and know your bib collection details before you leave home.
Then spring layers. Late October mornings on the bay can be cool and breezy while afternoons warm up quickly. Bring a windproof layer, a beanie for pre-dawn starts, sunscreen and hats for the middle of the day, and thongs or sandals for the sand.
Supporters need a foreshore kit: folding chairs if you have them, water, snacks, a phone charger and something to entertain children between events. A small esky with fruit and drinks earns its place on Sunday.
For the house, bring your normal food staples plus whatever the athletes eat on race mornings. Dog owners should pack bedding, bowls, leads and poo bags, and remember the house rule about keeping pets off furniture.
Before Leaving Home: Your Race Weekend Check
1Dates and starts: Re-check Run Huskisson (31 October) and Triathlon Huskisson (1 November) times on the Elite Energy pages the week before.
2Closures and shuttles: Read the organiser's road-closure map and shuttle parking locations; plan the drive from Sanctuary Point around them.
3Weather and water: Check the South Coast forecast, surf and any NPWS alerts for Jervis Bay National Park and Booderee.
4Bookings: Confirm any whale cruise, dinner reservation or Booderee pass, and the trading hours of cafes you are counting on.
5Pets: Get the property's prior approval for up to two pets and download Shoalhaven City Council's current Dog Off-Leash Guide.
6House setup: Confirm bedding, bathrooms, stairs, parking and check-in details on the listing before a group booking.
FAQs About Run Huskisson, Triathlon Huskisson And Staying In Sanctuary Point
When is Run Huskisson 2026?
At the time of writing, Run Huskisson is listed for Saturday 31 October 2026 in Huskisson, Jervis Bay, with Event HQ at White Sands Park and the start line on Bowen Street. Distances listed are a 2.5 km fun run, 5 km, 10 km, half marathon (solo or relay) and marathon. Confirm dates and times on the official Run Huskisson site.
When is the Huskisson triathlon in 2026?
Triathlon Huskisson, also called the Husky Triathlon Festival, is listed for Sunday 1 November 2026. Events include Standard, Sprint and Super Sprint triathlons, a Standard-distance Aquabike and a TriKidz Aquathon for ages 5 to 11. Listed start times were 6:30 am (Super Sprint), 7:30 am (Standard and Aquabike), 10:30 am (Sprint) and 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm (TriKidz).
Is parking difficult in Huskisson during the triathlon weekend?
Yes. The organiser states that parking in Huskisson is extremely limited during the event and that road closures apply. Designated parking areas are set up at surrounding locations with a complimentary shuttle bus for participants and spectators. Check the organiser's interactive closure map before driving in.
How far is Sanctuary Point from Huskisson?
Sanctuary Point sits on the northern shore of St Georges Basin, a short drive from Huskisson and Vincentia. On a normal day allow roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car, more on event mornings. Check your route and the organiser's closure map before race day.
Can you still see whales in Jervis Bay in late October and early November?
Jervis Bay Wild lists its whale-cruise season as mid-May to mid-November, with departures at 10 am and 1 pm daily from Huskisson. Late in the season is the southern migration. Sightings are never guaranteed, so book with an operator and confirm current departure times and conditions.
How much does it cost to enter Booderee National Park?
At the time of writing, Booderee lists a one-day vehicle pass at $20 (concession $10), a one-year pass at $80 and a two-year pass at $110. Passes can be bought online in advance or at the entry station, and no pass is needed if you enter on foot or by bicycle. Check the Booderee website for current prices and conditions.
Where can dogs go off-leash near Sanctuary Point?
Shoalhaven City Council requires dogs to be on a leash unless in a designated off-leash area. Local guides list Clifton Park in Sanctuary Point as a fenced off-leash area with no time restriction, and timed off-leash hours at Huskisson Beach and Nelsons Beach (4 pm to 8 am from 1 October to 30 April). Confirm with the council's official Dog Off-Leash Guide before travelling.
Is Luna's Sanctuary suitable for a group of athletes and supporters?
The listing describes four bedrooms (three queens and a bunk room with two single bunks), two bathrooms and space for up to eight guests, with two living areas, a converted-garage games room with table tennis, darts and fitness equipment, a covered deck with barbecue and seating for eight to ten, and a fenced backyard. Check the live listing for the latest configuration.
Is Luna's Sanctuary pet-friendly?
The listing allows up to two pets with prior approval. House rules ask guests to keep pets off bedding and furniture, not to leave pets locked inside while the property is unattended, and to clean up after them before check-out. Public beach and reserve rules are a separate matter set by Shoalhaven City Council.
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