Kiama Travel Guide
Best neighborhoods, things to do, and when to visit
Kiama, Australia
Kiama sits on a stretch of the Illawarra coast where basalt headlands meet surf beaches, and its famous blowhole sends seawater skyward when southeast swells roll in. Dairy farms climb the escarpment behind town, with cliff walks and a working harbour below.
Coastal walks · Blowhole · Surf beaches
Airport
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, north of Kiama along the coast
Language
English, with local Aboriginal place names common
Currency
Australian dollar (A$); cards accepted almost everywhere
Ideal trip length
Two to three days, or a long weekend
Best time to visit Kiama
September – November
Average temperature
47–76°F (9–25°C), Mild spring days, modest rainfall, and steady sea breezes along the coast.
Crowd Level
Moderate
Reason To Visit
Spring days settle near 70°F (21°C) with some of the year's lightest rainfall, so the headland paths stay dry and the view from the Blowhole reaches the Illawarra escarpment.
Spring eventKiama Culture Fest
Hindmarsh Park, Kiama
Things to do
Follow the Kiama Coast Walk toward Minnamurra, watch the spray at the Blowhole, and scan the water for migrating whales from Blowhole Point.
Popular events
Spring
Kiama Culture Fest, Sydney FC Kiama Football Festival
Summer
Kiama Show, Kiama Seaside Markets
Fall
Jamberoo Action Park - Canberra Day Long Weekend, Live Music Sundays at Mountain Ridge Wines
Winter
Berry Farmers' Market, Trivia at Club Jamberoo
Where to stay in Kiama
Coastal town centre, headland lookouts, surf beaches, and quiet inland valleys within a short drive.
Kiama
The town centre puts cafes, the harbour, and the train station within a few blocks.
Known for
Harbour strolls, weekend markets, and easy rail access
Things to do nearby
Kiama Blowhole, Kiama Harbour, Kiama Lighthouse
Nearby neighborhoods
Bombo
Kiama Downs
A residential pocket north of town with long beach frontage and a small shopping strip.
Known for
Beachside living close to Jones Beach and Minnamurra
Things to do nearby
Bombo Headland
Nearby neighborhoods
Bombo, Kiama
Kiama Heights
Hillside streets south of the centre, with ocean outlooks and short drives to surf breaks.
Known for
Elevated ocean views and the Little Blowhole
Things to do nearby
Little Blowhole, Easts Beach, Kiama Beach Walk
Nearby neighborhoods
Kiama
Gerringong
A small village on the ridge above Werri Beach, about 15 minutes south of Kiama.
Known for
Werri Beach surf, bakeries, and rolling green headlands
Jamberoo
An inland dairy village ringed by escarpment farmland, roughly 20 minutes from the coast.
Known for
Green valley farm stays near Minnamurra Rainforest
Nearby neighborhoods
Kiama
Minnamurra
River-mouth suburb at the northern edge of the shire, good for calm-water swimming.
Known for
Sheltered river swimming and quiet walking tracks
Things to do nearby
Kiama Beach Walk
Must see places in Kiama
Sea stacks, blowholes and rainforest boardwalks within a short drive of town
Kiama Blowhole
Ocean swells push through a sea cave here and send spray high above the rock platform.
Neighborhood
Kiama
Things to do nearby
Kiama Lighthouse, Kiama Harbour
Time needed
30-45 minutes
Kiama Lighthouse
Views take in the ocean and the blowhole, with a pilots' cottage museum alongside.
Neighborhood
Kiama
Things to do nearby
Kiama Blowhole, Kiama Harbour
Time needed
30 minutes
Cathedral Rocks
Jagged volcanic sea stacks sit off Jones Beach, sharpest from the clifftop track at low light.
Things to do nearby
The Boneyard Beach
Time needed
1 hour
Minnamurra Rainforest Centre
Boardwalk loops thread subtropical rainforest in Budderoo National Park, with a falls track beyond.
Neighborhood
Jamberoo
Time needed
2-3 hours
Minnamurra Falls
A two-tier waterfall waits at the end of the loop track, above the rainforest floor.
Neighborhood
Jamberoo
Time needed
2 hours
Saddleback Mountain Lookout - Northern Viewing Platform
From this ridge-top platform you can trace Kiama, the coastline and the escarpment.
Things to do nearby
Kiama Blowhole
Time needed
30-45 minutes
Little Blowhole
A compact cliffside blowhole at Marsden Head that often performs in modest swell.
Neighborhood
Kiama
Things to do nearby
Kiama Blowhole, Kendalls Beach
Time needed
30 minutes
Bombo Beach
A wide surf beach with off-leash dog areas, walking tracks and headland views.
Neighborhood
Bombo
Things to do nearby
Kiama Harbour
Time needed
1-2 hours
Places to eat and drink in Kiama
Sourdough bread, French-inspired cakes and live music on the terrace.
The Hungry Monkey Kiama
Terralong Street cafe pouring espresso alongside all-day breakfast plates.
Highlights
all-day breakfast menu
Why do locals love it
A steady morning coffee stop a short walk from the blowhole headland.
Silica Restaurant
Kiama's fine-dining room, with seasonal set menus drawing on South Coast produce.
Highlights
Set degustation menu
Why do locals love it
The kitchen changes its menu as South Coast seasons turn over.
Little Betty's
Small bakery known for laminated pastries, sourdough loaves, and filled rolls.
Highlights
Craft cocktails
Why do locals love it
Pastries come out warm and are easy to carry down to Black Beach.
Diggies Kiama
Beachfront cafe on Bourrool Lane with breakfast, seafood plates, and ocean outlook.
Highlights
Ocean views, outdoor seating
Why do locals love it
Tables face straight out to the surf at Kendalls Beach.
Olive & Vine
A relaxed beachside dining room serving modern Australian plates, gourmet pizzas and homestyle meals.
Highlights
Gourmet pizzas, beachside setting
Why do locals love it
Easygoing tables near the sand suit long, unhurried meals.
Cantik Place
Balinese-inspired cafe near the water, with fresh coffee, breakfast plates and lunch.
Highlights
Fresh coffee, Balinese-inspired breakfast and lunch
Why do locals love it
An island-leaning menu paired with a beachside setting.
Earnest Arthur - Kiama
A Terralong Street bakery known for its pies, easy to fold into a morning walk.
Highlights
Pies
Why do locals love it
A pie in hand works for the walk to the blowhole.
Slow Dough
A Kiama sourdough bakery with loaves out front and a sweet menu that changes.
Highlights
Sourdough bread, rotating sweet menu
Why do locals love it
The sweet case shifts, so each visit brings something new.
Explore Kiama: The best travel itineraries
Two ways to see Kiama, from a single coast-focused day to a longer loop through rainforest, headlands and hill views.
Experienced Airbnb hosts in Kiama
180+
Places to stay in Kiama
320+
Verified guest reviews in Kiama
18,120+
Average rating in Kiama
4.8
1 Day trip
Start at the blowhole and lighthouse, spend the afternoon on the sand at Kendalls Beach, then settle in for a degustation dinner in town.
Morning
Water spouts at the headland
Swell from the south-east gives the best chance of a big spout.
Afternoon
Calm water and a playground
Grassy picnic areas sit just back from the sand.
Evening
A set menu dinner
Book ahead, since the kitchen runs one seating menu.
3 Day trip
Three days built around the blowhole headland, the beaches north of town, and the rainforest and ridge lookouts inland.
Morning
Headland spouts
Bigger southeast swell gives the best chance of a spout.
Afternoon
Lighthouse and cottage
The cottage museum sits a short stroll from the lighthouse.
Evening
Harbour benches
Seafood outlets keep shorter hours than the town cafes.
Morning
Bombo sand
Off-leash dog zones sit at the northern end.
Afternoon
Balinese-style coffee
An easy lunch stop close to the Minnamurra sand.
Evening
Sea stacks at low light
Follow the clifftop track above Jones Beach.
Morning
Rainforest boardwalk
Loop tracks start from the centre in Budderoo National Park.
Afternoon
Ridge-top view
Clear afternoons open up the escarpment behind town.
Evening
Degustation dinner
Book ahead, as the set menu runs to one seating.
5-7 Day trip
A five-day loop through Kiama and its neighbours, from the harbour and lighthouse to Minnamurra Falls, Gerringong headlands and the dunes at Gerroa.
Morning
The famous spout
Swell from the south-east gives the biggest surges, so check conditions first.
Afternoon
Lighthouse and harbour
The cottage museum sits a few steps from the lighthouse path.
Evening
Dinner above the water
Ask for an outdoor table for the ocean outlook.
Morning
Pies for breakfast
Bakery counter on Terralong Street, good for an early start.
Afternoon
Harbour and town green
Benches near the breakwater make an easy lunch stop.
Evening
Cocktails in town
A short walk from the main street shops.
Morning
Rainforest boardwalk
Wear shoes with grip; the boardwalk can be damp.
Afternoon
Waterfall turnaround
The falls sit at the far end of the loop track.
Evening
Sea stacks at dusk
The clifftop track above Jones Beach gives the clearest view.
Morning
Breakfast in Gerringong
All-day breakfast, so a late start still works.
Afternoon
Headland rock platforms
Grassy reserve above the rocks; stay back from wet ledges.
Evening
Dunes at last light
Quietest in the final hour before sunset.
Morning
Escarpment views
Clear mornings give the widest look along the coast.
Afternoon
Calm water swim
Picnic tables and a playground sit behind the sand.
Evening
Beachside dinner
Good for groups sharing pizzas.
Family travel
Kendalls Beach has gentle sand for little ones, and Blowhole Point Reserve suits picnics between rock pool visits.
Couple travel
Time sunrise at the Kiama Blowhole, then drive the Jamberoo Valley to Minnamurra Rainforest for the Falls Walk together.
Solo travel
Walk the Kiama Coast Walk from Loves Bay, then linger over coffee and browse the shops along Terralong Street.
How to get around Kiama
Metro and train
Kiama station is served by intercity trains running between Wollongong and Sydney. Check current timetables and ticketing with Transport for NSW.
Bus
Local buses link Kiama with nearby towns such as Gerringong, Jamberoo, and Minnamurra. Confirm current routes and times with the operator.
Rental car
Cars from Wollongong or Sydney give easy reach to Jamberoo and Saddleback Mountain. Drive on the left and expect busy parking near the blowhole.
Walking
The town centre, harbour, and beaches are walkable within about 20 minutes. Coastal paths suit bikes, though a few hills call for steady legs.
Generated with AI and may contain mistakes. Sources include third-party travel data and Airbnb data from listings, hosts, and host guidebooks. Updated September 2026.