Kiama: The town ‘where the sea makes a noise’

The vibrant town is bustling with colour, culture and fresh ocean breezes. Looking back, I have so many memories of sun-drenched days that left me feeling warm and content.

Pack up your family, make the trip to the coast and become explorers for a few days. Allow yourselves to stop, take a deep breath and work towards feeling rejuvenated.

Step outside your routine and onto the coast, feel the sand between your toes, the wind in your hair and the salt against your skin. Get deep into nature, spot wildlife and marine animals, and eat apples fresh from the farm.

Kiama is just the starting point. Take the time to explore the south coast in all directions and watch the landscape change as oceans make way for rainforests which in turn become Australian escarpment and rolling hills. 

Do:

Little Blowhole

Arguably more impressive than its sister, albeit a little harder to find, the little blowhole is well worth the walk. A true gem tucked away in a residential area, two kilometres out of Kiama towards Marsden Head. Perhaps I’m just one to root for the underdog but, with more frequent sprays, it will always take the cake for me. 

The crashing, whooshing and gentle rhythms of blowholes gave the town its name. “Kiaram-a” is a Wodi Wodi Indigenous phrase meaning “place where the sea makes a noise” which is the basis for what we know today as Kiama.

Kiama Coastal Walk

Nearly twenty kilometres of winding, scenic tracks dip and dive from Minnamurra in the north to Gerringong in the south. The walk is split into three sections: north, mid and south.

The north section is the easiest and best for whale watching in winter and spring when it’s not quite warm enough to beach hop your way along the other sections. Humpback whales can be spotted from the Minnamurra whale watching platform from late May to July as they migrate north, and again from September to November with their calves, returning south. Sea eagles, hawks and seals have also been spotted.

Rock Pools

Kiama has two rock pools, one of which I spent a lot of time in as a child before I was confident enough to tackle the big waves.

My favourite is Blowhole Point Rock Pool. It is the smaller of the two and sits oceanside to the north of Blowhole Point. Although you can’t see the blowhole in full action from the pool, it has always been the perfect spot to cool down on a hot summer day.

The Continental Pool is far larger and there is plenty of space for swimming laps; it is often on the cooler side due to it being shaded, even in summer.

Beaches

While Surf Beach is the most popular, Kendalls Beach has always been my favourite. 

Surf Beach is the most central to Kiama township and is patrolled every weekend from the NSW Labour Day long weekend in October through to Easter.

Half an hour south of Kiama is the world-famous Seven Mile Beach. This beach is known for being the runway for the first commercial flight from Australia to New Zealand in 1933. The beach is part of Seven Mile Beach National Park and there are plenty of options not just for swimming but also walking, fishing and picnicking. Surfing lessons and camps are often held at Seven Mile Beach.

Rangoon Reserve

This is my all-time favourite swimming spot. Nestled in a residential Minnamurra street, you could be forgiven for passing right by Rangoon Reserve. It is a small, shaded, grassy area that is the perfect picnic and swimming spot.

Just beyond the picnic tables, the stairs lead down to the Minnamurra River. At low tide, you can walk straight over to the sandbar to make sandcastles.

Saddleback Mountain

Before you head out of Kiama, pop up to the Saddleback Mountain Lookout. It will take your breath away. On a clear day, you can see all the way from Milton in the south to Cronulla in the north. Visit at sunrise or sunset for an incredible display of colour.

Minnamurra Rainforest

A 20-minute drive inland from Kiama will transport you to the otherworldly ancient Minnamurra Rainforest in Budderoo National Park. I could not count the Saturday mornings I have spent walking the boardwalks and footpaths of the rainforest. The secret is to get in early and beat the crowds – they scare all the wildlife away.

When I was young, my dad would tell stories of drop bears and kangawallafoxes and although I could have sworn I saw them rustling in the trees, the most impressive wildlife was the stunning lyrebirds.

The rainforest has two walking paths: the flat, kind to strollers and small children Rainforest Loop Walk; and the full, breathtaking Falls Walk which is quite a vertical climb. You will need good walking shoes and a full water bottle.

Jamberoo Action Park

Jamberoo Action Park will be at the top of your kids’ to-do lists. The water park is full of attractions for all ages, whether you are seeking an adrenaline rush or a lazy float around, Jamberoo has you covered. Get in early and avoid the queues. It usually reopens just in time for the spring school holidays.

Illawarra Fly

The Illawarra Fly is a little way out of Kiama, but it is well worth the trip up into the Southern Highlands. The treetop walk sits 500 metres up in the canopy and offers a 1.5-kilometre stroll to those who would simply like to enjoy the view. For the thrill-seekers among us, there are day and twilight zipline tours that will have you zipping down through the canopy similar to a flying fox. Not much of an adrenaline junkie myself, my favourite part of the walk is the Knights Tower lookout which spirals up above the walkway, about 45 metres above the ground, for stunning views of the Illawarra and beyond.

Eat

Hungry Monkey

No monkey business here: The Hungry Monkey took the title of “Best Business” on the South Coast in 2017. Hungry Monkey Kiama is best known for burgers, but people flock from all over for its breakfasts, too. It’s on the main street into Kiama, in a row of cute weatherboard terrace houses converted to cafes and specialty shops. 

Licked Gelateria

There is no better accompaniment to a walk along the water or a trip to the park than an afternoon ice cream, all year round. Licked Gelateria sits opposite Hindmarsh Park, which has picnic tables, a playground and plenty of grassy space to burn off extra energy. It’s also a short stroll over to Black Beach Reserve.

Apple Crumble has recently topped my long list of favourite ice-cream flavours. The kids won’t be able to pass on the Snickers, Malteser or bubble gum flavours.

Parfait Patisserie

This perfect spot for morning tea. If you’re searching for the ideal tea and coffee accompaniment or a light lunch make a beeline to Parfait Patisserie. The cosy patisserie pairs skilful pastry work with lunch classics – think quiche and pies baked to perfection. Fresh bread is also sold daily.

Picnic by the Sea

A small local business that was initially started to make picnics easier for the average family, Picnic by the Sea is a luxe picnic option. You pick the package and the location and just turn up. They offer an outdoor dining experience where you can relax, enjoy some local produce and the South Coast’s natural beauty.

Perfect Break Vegetarian Café

Tucked into Gerringong’s main street, the Perfect Break Cafe dishes up healthy, organic food with Mediterranean and Mexican influences. Pop in for breakfast or lunch in its cosy space, and afterwards browse the Natural Necessity Surf Shop next door.

Stay

Sebel Kiama

The Sebel Kiama Harbourside is boutique accommodation built on a heritage-listed 1871 bluestone school, and sits at the heart of Kiama. It is a 15-minute walk to Kiama rock pool, lighthouse and the blowhole.

Breakfast is always a winner, however, the stand out is the dining space in which it is served. The Quarry Room offers 180-degree floor-to-ceiling views of Kiama Harbour. It is so close to the water, the right table almost feels like dining on a cruise ship.

Nova Kiama

A brand new boutique hotel offering a variety of rooms and a heated pool, Nova Kiama is a stone’s throw from Kiama Station and a short stroll to Kiama’s markets, shops, restaurants and beaches. Pick a family room with a balcony for the most space when travelling with children.

Kiama & Surrounds Holiday Parks

With some of the most picturesque parks on the South Coast and accommodation options to suit everyone, consider staying at one of the following:

Take me there

Drive: Kiama is a two-hour drive from the Sydney CBD and nearly three hours from Canberra.

Train: Trains go directly from Central Station to Kiama Station every day, departing each hourly on the weekend or every half-hour during the week. 

Explore more: kiama.com.au