Gerringong Travel Guide: Beaches, Surf & Weekend Escapes
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Sandwiched between seaside Kiama and boutique-hopping hub Berry, Gerringong has found itself on the global map thanks to Tasman Drive, now one of the most-photographed streets in Australia. But if you’ve come for more than a selfie, you’re in the right place. This quiet coastal village has excellent beaches, cliff-top coastal walks and quality cafes and restaurants.
This complete Gerringong travel guide covers everything you need to plan the perfect beach getaway, from the best surf beaches and coastal walks to where to eat and stay.
Next Escape is your guide to real places and real experiences, with honest, practical, independent travel advice based on first-hand visits: the beaches we’ve swum at, the restaurants we’ve eaten at, the walks we’ve actually done. This page may contain affiliate links; if you book or buy through them, Next Escape may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Is Gerringong worth visiting?
Yes – Gerringong has a beachy, surf town feel with a slower-paced vibe. It’s perfect for families wanting quieter beaches, surfers and couples escaping the crowds. Although it’s a small town there are still plenty of cafes and restaurants for foodies. Gerringong sits at the southern end of the Kiama Coastal Walk so it’s a great launching pad to head north and take in the coastal views this section of the walk offers.
If you’ve come because of Tasman Drive, stay for the rest of it. The beach, the coastal walk and the food scene make Gerringong well worth a full day or weekend.
If you’re deciding between Kiama and Gerringong, Kiama is larger and busier with more options for dining and accommodation. Gerringong is quieter and slower-paced.
Why visit Gerringong?
- Beachy surf town with a relaxed atmosphere
- Beautiful beach – Werri Beach is less crowded than Kiama
- Southern end of the Kiama Coastal Walk with cliff-top views
- Quieter than nearby Kiama or Berry but with easy access to either of these towns
- Great cafe and restaurant options despite the small town size
Gerringong at a glance
| Distance from Sydney | 2 hours – 2 hours 15 minutes (driving) 141 km |
| Distance from Canberra | 2 hours 45 minutes – 3 hours (driving) 228 km |
| Best for | Beach escapes, surfing, quiet weekends |
| Known for | Werri Beach, Tasman Drive, surf culture, relaxed vibe |
| Ideal stay | 2-3 nights |
| Best time to visit | Summer and spring |
How long should you stay in Gerringong?
- Ideal stay: 2 to 3 nights
- Day trip from Sydney: possible (depending on the Sydney traffic) but rushed and we wouldn’t recommend
- Long weekend: perfect
- 3+ nights: great for proper beach relaxation
Best things to do in Gerringong
Visit Werri Beach
Werri Beach is a patrolled surf beach popular with surfers and families alike. The southern point of the Kiama Coastal Walk is at one end and there is an ocean rock pool at the other end.
The beach is patrolled during the week in peak summer season and the Easter school holidays, and on weekends from the end of September to the end of April. These dates do change so be sure to check the beachsafe website to be sure.
There’s also a dog-friendly area in the middle section of the beach (look for signs). Parking is available at the southern end near the rock pool, at the northern end near the lagoon and also on-street along Pacific Avenue. Public toilets are also available next to the car parks at the northern and southern ends of the beach.
Kiama Coastal Walk
Gerringong sits at the southern end of the Kiama Coastal Walk, giving easy access to start the walk heading north. The section from Gerringong up to Loves Bay is the most rugged with plenty of hills to climb but the reward is stunning coastal views. If you are not quite ready to tackle that, a shorter option is the 1.5 km walk along Werri Beach or a walk along the headland.
Local’s tip: The lagoon at the southern end of Werri Beach can be open to the sea in heavy rainfall or high seas so this may limit your walk from Werri Beach on to the Kiama Coastal Walk.
Check out the views from the headland
The headland at the southern end of Werri Beach offers gorgeous views across Werri Beach, as well as out to sea from the whale watching platform (whale watching season is from May to October).
Next to the headland, Tasman Drive, dubbed ‘the most beautiful street in Australia’, has become an international social media sensation. One Instagram video has clocked over 37 million views, and the street now draws busloads of visitors on weekends, including international tourists who discovered it through TikTok and Douyin. The street runs alongside the headland reserve and cemetery, framing sweeping views across Werri Beach.
Timing matters though: weekend afternoons can get very congested, with visitors competing for space on the road itself. A weekday visit or early morning arrival makes for a much more relaxed experience. Better still, walk up to the headland behind the street. The views are just as good with far less foot traffic.
Swim in the ocean pool
Gerringong’s ocean rock pool (Ourie Pool) sits at the southern end of Werri Beach. At low tide you can also walk around the headland and explore the rock pools (keep an eye on the tide though). There’s parking and change rooms nearby and for kids there is a separate wading pool.
Personal note: The rocks can get very slippery at low tide so explore with care!
Explore the nearby countryside and beaches
Gerringong is set in a beautiful part of NSW with rolling hills, farmland and mountain views as you drive inland, and coastal scenery to the north and south. Gerroa is a short drive to the south and worth it to visit Gerroa headland and check out the views. Seven Mile Beach is then just a little further on for a quieter beach option (easiest access is via the picnic area on Beach Road). Heading north you have the busier town of Kiama with the blowhole and beaches to visit.
Where to eat and drink in Gerringong
Gerringong’s restaurant and cafe scene offers excellent choices for every budget range. Most cafes and restaurants are up the hill from the beach in the town centre.
- Casual craft beer and burger: Stoic Brewery
- Dining: The Noble
- Lunch with a view: The Hill Bar & Kitchen
- Breakfast with a view: Sea Vista Cafe
- Vegetarian: The Perfect Break Cafe
Stoic Brewery: burgers $17 – $25 (Thursday special: $10 cheeseburgers)
On the edge of town, Stoic Brewery offers a relaxed atmosphere with a huge beer selection and great casual food options. Beer paddles give you a great opportunity to try four different beers before settling on your favourite. There are also regular weekly specials, like the Thursday night $10 cheeseburgers and plenty of takeaway beers available.
Personal note: My favourite on the last visit was the Guava Lychee Sour (so good we bought some to take home).
The Noble Restaurant and Bar: mains $28 – $65
Open Thursday to Sunday, The Noble is an excellent option for lunch or dinner in the heart of Gerringong. Entrees include a selection of sharing plates (think sizzling prawns, halloumi, stracciatella cheese) and the mains include a premium cut selection menu, featuring a 1kg Bistecca alla Fiorentina. There’s a kid’s menu, lovely views and a relaxed but classy atmosphere.
The Hill Bar & Kitchen: small plates $16 – $24, large plates $24 – $45
A relaxed spot with views over Werri Beach, The Hill offers a range of small and large plates perfect for sharing plus burgers. We shared 3 small plates between 2 people and that was plenty for lunch (highlight was the Korean popcorn chicken). A great selection of beers on tap plus a small but good wine list make this a perfect spot for a long lunch.
Sea Vista Cafe: breakfast $16 – $21
In the centre of Gerringong (and across the road from The Hill Bar & Kitchen) is the Sea Vista Cafe. Open for breakfast and lunch every day, the Sea Vista has an extensive breakfast menu with all the classics (smashed avo, eggs benedict, breakfast bagel) plus options like shakshouka and chilli fried eggs. The coffee is great and the view is fantastic. There is undercover outdoor seating on the deck which can get busy in peak hours.
The Perfect Break Cafe: breakfast $10 – $20
Open every day for breakfast and lunch with great coffee and an excellent selection of vegetarian and vegan food, including a kid’s menu. Lunch highlights are the nachos and burritos.
Where to stay in Gerringong
Gerringong accommodation is mostly holiday houses, rather than hotels, which may require a little more planning in advance unless you are travelling mid-week or off season.
In addition to the options below, Stayz also has a range of self-catering holiday houses, cottages and apartments.
Mercure Gerringong
Comfortable and clean with a pool, bar and restaurant on site. The Mercure is situated on the other side of town from the cafes and restaurants so it is about a 15-20 minute walk (some of it uphill) to get to most restaurants. When we’ve stayed, some nights it is absolutely packed with conferences, other times it’s almost deserted.
Park Ridge Retreat
Centrally located right in the middle of Gerringong within an easy walk to the cafes and restaurants. The beach is around a 15-minute walk away.
Werri Beach Holiday Park
Right opposite the beach, The Werri Beach Holiday Park offers cabins, camping and caravan sites. The cabins are perfect for families with plenty of room, outdoor settings and BBQs plus access to the swimming pool.
Best time to visit Gerringong
- Summer: peak beach season, busy but not as crowded as Kiama
- Autumn: still warm enough for swimming, fewer crowds
- Winter: quiet beaches and off-season rates
- Spring: whale watching, wildflowers and perfect weather for walking
Perfect Gerringong itinerary options
2-day itinerary
Day 1 – Morning swim at Werri Beach → Brunch at Sea Vista → Afternoon coastal walk towards Loves Bay → Dinner at The Noble
Day 2 – Early morning beach visit to watch the sunrise → Coffee and breakfast at The Perfect Break → Drive to Kiama to visit the Blowhole, swim in the ocean pools and have a cafe or picnic lunch → Return to Gerringong for a casual beer and burger at Stoic Brewery.
3-day itinerary
If you have one extra day:
Day 3 – Early morning beach visit to watch the sunrise → Coffee and breakfast at The Perfect Break → Drive to Kiama to visit the Blowhole, swim in the ocean pools and have a cafe or picnic lunch → Return to Gerringong for a casual beer and burger at Stoic Brewery.
What Gerringong isn’t
Gerringong isn’t a shopping destination. For boutiques and homewares, head to Berry instead (just 15 minutes inland). It’s also not as developed as Kiama, with fewer restaurant options and, beyond Tasman Drive and the beaches, limited major tourist attractions. The nightlife is minimal: more relaxed cafe lunches and quiet evenings than late nights out.
How to get to Gerringong
From Sydney:
- Driving – 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes (141 km)
- Train – Approx 3-hour train journey from Central Station, with a change at Kiama.
From Canberra:
- Driving – 2 hours 45 minutes – 3 hours (228 km)
Local travel tips
Werri Beach carpark fills up quickly in summer so arrive early or walk from your accommodation. Tasman Drive gets very busy on weekend afternoons and locals say it’s difficult to drive in or out of the area after midday on weekends. If you’re visiting for the views, aim for a weekday or early morning, park on a nearby street and walk up to the headland instead.
FAQs
This is a beachy town so sunscreen, swimmers, beach towel and a hat are essentials. If you are doing the coastal walk, bear in mind that the Gerringong to Loves Bay section is quite rugged so you’ll need good shoes and a water bottle.
Seven Mile Beach National Park – Just a 5-minute drive from Gerringong, Seven Mile Beach offers a striking stretch of coastline ideal for long walks, picnics and quiet ocean views.
Wineries – Crooked River Estate is just a few minutes out of town and offers wine tastings for $20 per person (with $10 credited towards purchases) and long lunches Wednesday to Sunday (dinner Saturday night only).
Kiama – 10 minutes driving will get you to the seaside town of Kiama where you’ll find gorgeous coastal scenery, the Kiama surf beach, ocean pools for swimming and the Kiama blowhole.
Gerroa – a 6-minute drive from Gerringong lands you in Gerroa, a small seaside town at the northern end of Seven Mile Beach. The headland is worth a visit for the views.
Berry – offering boutiques, homewares and restaurants, Berry is just a 15 minute drive inland from Gerringong. If staying more than a couple of days in Gerringong then this is definitely worth a trip for a wander down Queen Street and lunch.
Yes, Gerringong is a great destination for a beachy, relaxed family holiday. Werri Beach is patrolled and has the ocean rock pool with wading pool as a great option for kids. Restaurants are also generally relaxed and kid-friendly. One caveat is that there are not that many activities if the weather turns bad – see our rainy day options below.
Gerringong is a small town mainly focused around the beach and headland walks, so a rainy day is harder to fill and may require a little driving:
- Drive 10 minutes north to Kiama to catch the blowhole in action during a big swell, and combine it with a long lunch at Silica.
- Spend a few hours at Stoic Brewery over a beer paddle and casual food.
- Settle in for a long lunch at The Hill Bar & Kitchen and watch the rain roll over Werri Beach.
- Drive a few minutes to Crooked River Estate for wine tasting and lunch.
- Head to Kiama for a massage or facial at the Endota Day Spa.
- If you don’t mind the drive, head to Event Cinemas in Shellharbour (about a 30-minute drive north) for all the current releases.
Yes – Gerringong is walkable, however you’ll find the town centre is a 10-minute walk up the hill to the beach. You’ll likely want a car for access to different beaches, and nearby towns.
Beach car parks are available but can fill up quickly in summer. Arrive early on weekends.
Consider the Werri Beach Holiday Park for accommodation and look out for local specials, like the $10 Thursday night cheeseburger special at Stoic Brewery. If possible stay mid-week when accommodation costs are lower.
Gerringong is ideal for:
- Surfers seeking less crowded breaks
- Families wanting quieter beaches than Kiama or Sydney
- Couples escaping the crowds
- Beach lovers who prefer relaxed vibes over tourist attractions
Gerringong has a relaxed, beachy vibe with a slower pace and fewer tourists than nearby locations like Kiama and Berry. It’s still large enough that there are great cafe and restaurant options (plus a local brewery and winery).