Uncovering the Bay and Basin: Short History Podcasts from Jervis Bay and St Georges Basin

From the stench of boiling whale blubber on the wind to the quiet of a sailor’s grave overlooking Jervis Bay, Uncovering the Bay and Basin brings to life the stories that have shaped this remarkable stretch of the New South Wales South Coast.

Produced in the studios of Bay & Basin 92.7 FM, this locally made history podcast tells big stories in small doses - each episode running under five minutes, perfect for a coffee break, morning walk or drive along the bay.

A Local Lens on Local History

Every episode blends research, storytelling and sound design to uncover the events and characters that still echo through the Shoalhaven. Written and researched by Wendy Hamlin and hosted by Stephen Brown, Uncovering the Bay and Basin shines a light on the people, industries and natural forces that helped shape the region we call home.

This short-form podcast was created to help listeners reconnect with the landscapes and landmarks they see every day revealing the fascinating stories hidden within the coves, headlands and country towns of the Bay & Basin.

Historic Stories of Jervis Bay and the South Coast NSW

Across its growing collection of bite-sized episodes, the series spans centuries of local history from the whaling boom and bust to colonial ambition, natural disasters and unexpected links to the nation’s capital.

In Whalers of Jervis Bay: Boom, Bust and Legacy, listeners are transported to the early 1900s when shore-based and later Norwegian industrial whaling defined coastal life. The story captures how this once-profitable trade polluted the bay and divided the community before its dramatic collapse paving the way for the whale-watching culture that thrives today.

The Wool Road Story follows convicts and colonists carving a 60-kilometre track from Nerriga to the coast in 1841, an ambitious attempt to turn Jervis Bay into a major wool port. Though the plan failed, its legacy lives on in road names like Larmer Avenue and Wool Lane and in the optimism that characterised early colonial Australia.

The Sailor’s Grave at Huskisson explores the poignant resting place of 19-year-old seaman Robert Johnson, whose 1892 drowning forever tied his name to a popular surf break known simply as Sailor’s. The episode connects past and present, reminding listeners how stories of loss and remembrance still shape local identity.

In Canberra’s Coastal Cousin – The Jervis Bay Territory, the series uncovers the curious political arrangement that gave land-locked Canberra its own seaside territory. While Discovering Jervis Bay’s Tsunami Past reveals geological evidence that waves up to 80 metres high once crashed into the cliffs of Beecroft Peninsula, reshaping the coastline thousands of years ago.

Listening to the Past

More than a history lesson, Uncovering the Bay and Basin is an invitation to rediscover the region through sound. Drawing on archival research, oral histories and local insight, Wendy Hamlin and Stephen Brown craft engaging snapshots of Shoalhaven life that build pride, connection and curiosity.

Each short episode proves that history doesn’t have to be long or dusty - it can be vivid, accessible and right on your doorstep. Whether you’re a lifelong local or a visitor exploring the South Coast NSW, these stories invite you to see the familiar through new eyes.

Listen to Uncovering the Bay and Basin - short, local and unforgettable stories - on the 92.7FM podcast page. https://www.927fm.com.au/uncovering-the-bay-and-basin/