Kiama Travel Guide: Beaches, Walks & Weekend Escape

Just 90 minutes south of Sydney and under 3 hours from Canberra on the NSW South Coast, Kiama is known for its dramatic ocean blowhole, rugged coastal walks, and seaside charm. Kiama is a relaxed town where you can swim at the beach, walk 20 km of dramatic coastal cliffs, and find excellent restaurants that don’t require booking weeks in advance.

Next Escape is your guide to real places and real experiences, with practical, independent travel advice based on first-hand visits: the places we’ve explored, the restaurants we’ve eaten at and the walks we’ve 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.

Yes – Kiama is one of the easiest and most scenic coastal escapes from Sydney or Canberra, offering dramatic ocean views, excellent walking trails, and a relaxed town centre that makes it ideal for both day trips and weekends away. Kiama strikes a rare balance as it is large enough to offer excellent dining and accommodation, yet small enough for a relaxed coastal vibe.

If you’re deciding between Kiama and Berry, Kiama offers more dramatic coastal scenery, while Berry leans more toward boutique shopping and dining. If you’re deciding between Kiama and Gerringong for a weekend, check out our guide Kiama or Gerringong: Where should you stay? for a comparison of the two towns and who they are likely to suit.

• There is a solid range of cafes and restaurants. It’s big enough that there’s plenty of choice, but small enough that it still feels friendly and local.
• It’s a versatile town with lots of accommodation, dining and activity options for families, foodies, couples and exercise lovers.
• Gorgeous coastal views from the beaches, walks and blowhole. 
• The town centre and beach area are easily walkable.

Distance from Sydney	1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours (driving) 131 km
Distance from Canberra	2 hours 45 minutes – 3 hours (driving) 219 km
Best for	Weekend escapes, coastal walks, families
Known for	The Kiama Blowhole, Kiama Coastal Walk
Ideal stay	2-3 nights
Best time to visit	Spring & early autumn
Things to see and do in Kiama	As well as the highlights below, check the Next Escape Things to do in Kiama Guide for a full rundown on our favourite activities.
Accommodation	Kiama has a good range of accommodation including hotels, motels, holiday houses and apartments. See below for a few favourites, or check Booking.com and Stayz.

• Ideal stay: 2-3 nights
• Day trip from Sydney: possible (depending on the Sydney traffic) but rushed
• Long weekend: perfect
• 4+ nights: great for slow travel

If it’s your first visit, 2 nights is enough time for the coastal walk, blowhole, ocean pool, beach and two great meals.

Kiama fits very nicely as part of a South Coast road trip from Sydney. We have two ready-made suggested itineraries depending on the time you have available:

• South Coast 4-day road trip: this is an easy loop with fairly minimal driving (300 km in total), from Sydney to Kiama, Gerringong and Berry, then back to Sydney.
• South Coast 6-day road trip: this longer trip (total 732 km) with more driving each day takes you south from Sydney to Kiama, Mollymook, Narooma then back north via Huskisson to Sydney.

The Kiama Blowhole

This is the go-to spot in Kiama and one of the largest blowholes in the world. The blowhole is most active when strong south-easterly swells combine with high tide. It’s an easy visit with a cafe and car park nearby and it’s a short walk from town. Entry is free.

Personal note: The blowhole has never been hugely active when we have visited - I think we’ve timed it badly with the tide - however it’s still worth a visit to wander around the rocks and take in the views.

Kiama Coastal Walk

The Kiama Coastal Walk is a 20 km mix of paths, grass tracks and beach walks with Kiama sitting 8.5 km from the northern end. If you are staying in Kiama for a couple of days, you don’t need to do this all in one go. You could head north towards Minnamurra River one day to see the Minnamurra Whale Watching Platform, Cathedral Rocks and Bombo Headland. Then the next day, head south towards Loves Bay and on to Gerringong with gorgeous coastal views along the way.

Important note: There are some areas with unprotected cliff tops which may be tricky with younger children. 

Family-friendly beaches

Kiama Surf Beach is the closest beach to town, is very family-friendly, and is patrolled from October long weekend through to Easter. There’s a picnic area, BBQ, toilets and showers. 

Weekday market

Right next to the surf beach in Coronation Park you’ll find the Kiama Farmers’ Market every Wednesday 3pm-6pm (2pm-5pm in winter). There’s a good range of fruit and veg, seafood, meats, flowers and prepared meals. It’s also a great spot to have a beer, takeaway food and listen to some music in the sun. 

Swim in the ocean pools

Kiama has two fantastic, free saltwater ocean pools close to town. The 50-metre Continental Ocean Pool, also known as the Olympic Pool, sits at the northern end of Black Beach Reserve and is the better choice for lap swimming or a calmer dip. The smaller Blowhole Point Ocean Pool is on the northern side of the headland near the blowhole, with an irregular shape, variable depth, natural rock floor and a shallow wading area.

Both pools have parking, toilets and change facilities nearby. Blowhole Point is more exposed, and waves can wash over the surrounding rocks in rougher conditions. If you have time, include both pools in a waterfront walk.

For a full rundown of activities, see the Next Escape Things to do in Kiama Guide.

• Ocean-view dining: Silica
• Casual dinner: Olive & Vine
• Share plates & cocktails: Miss Arda
• Bakery & takeaway: Flower Water Salt
• Excellent wine list: Little Betty’s
• Breakfast: Penny Whistlers
• Aussie pub: The Grand Hotel

Silica restaurant

Excellent seafood (plus plenty of non-seafood options), gorgeous views over the ocean, a solid wine list and fabulous cocktails. There’s also a takeaway kiosk downstairs for a coffee to drink on your morning walk. 

Personal note: Our absolute favourite in Kiama! We’ve visited several times and never been disappointed. The service is never rushed and we’ve often spent a good couple of hours enjoying lunch and a bottle of wine looking out at the ocean. 

Olive & Vine

Relaxed and family-friendly with generously sized gourmet pizzas. This is popular with locals so book ahead on weekend nights, especially if you’d like a family-friendly early sitting.

Miss Arda

Casual, Middle Eastern inspired sharing menu (the halloumi and the prawns are a standout!) with a great wine list and cocktail options. As well as indoor tables, there are also some tables outside and on a warm day this is a perfect spot for tapas and people-watching.

Flower Water Salt

Fabulous sourdough, pastries and cakes, plus a selection of grab and go sandwiches and pies. Excellent coffee!

Personal note: When we are leaving Kiama to head back to Sydney we often stop off to buy a pie (or two) to take home to heat up for dinner that night. A personal favourite is the mushroom & thyme.

Little Betty’s

Wine and cocktail bar with a selection of sharing plates. The food is fresh and features seasonal produce and the wine list is excellent.

Penny Whistlers

A fantastic spot for morning coffee and smashed avo. Other highlights for us included the hotcakes and eggs benedict. The cafe is right next to Black Beach Reserve, making it a great place to grab coffee after a waterfront walk or a swim in the ocean pool.

The Grand Hotel Kiama

Family-friendly location with all you’d expect from a good country pub – burgers, steak, schnitzel and a great selection of beers on tap. 

Most accommodation in Kiama is within a short walk of the town centre. We’ve included hotel-style accommodation below but there are also plenty of short-term apartment rentals. For a full listing, check Booking.com and Stayz.

The Sebel Kiama

The Sebel is a 4-star hotel set on a slight hill near the centre of town. It’s around a 15-minute walk from the blowhole or the Surf Beach and an easy walk to the restaurants and cafes. The rooms are clean and comfortable and there’s a great breakfast buffet with water views. The facilities are everything you’d expect from a Sebel, including a bar, restaurant and gym, although there’s no pool onsite. 

Nova Kiama

The Nova is a boutique hotel in a central location in Kiama with a gym and outdoor pool. The hotel is only a five-minute walk to the beach or blowhole and is very close to the cafes and restaurants. They have a good range of rooms – from Queen rooms for one or two people up to family rooms with bunk beds. Some rooms also have a kitchenette so you can cook some meals in your apartment.

Kiama Harbour Cabins

Kiama Harbour Cabins offer individual cabins from 1 to 3 bedrooms, located right next to the blowhole and lighthouse. The cabins are in rows, so some will have ocean views (along the front row). These work particularly well for groups and families as they come with 2 or 3 bedrooms and full kitchens.

Kove Apartments Kiama

Kove Apartments are self-catering apartments close to the beach, with coastal views, a pool and onsite parking. The apartments are all spacious, clean and new.

Personal note: The apartment we stayed in on our last visit was huge, sparkling clean and had a fantastic balcony to start the day with a takeaway coffee and pastry while watching people on their morning walks and the local football team. Each apartment available for short-term rent is booked separately on Booking.com on the link below, so you may find it easier to call to find the best apartments and to book.

For more options, check Booking.com and Stayz.

• Summer: lively and busy, great for beach days.
• Autumn: ideal weather for the coast walk.
• Winter: dramatic ocean swells, fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation.
• Spring: great for whale watching, wildflowers and walking.

Local’s tip: If you can time your visit for the third Sunday of the month, don’t miss the Kiama seaside markets at Black Beach Reserve for local produce, takeaway food, arts and crafts and clothing. 

With the fantastic beach for swimming and surfing and the sea breezes, Kiama is a great destination for a summer getaway. However, our favourite visits have been in spring and autumn – when it’s not as rushed but the weather is still warm enough for the coastal walk and exploring the town. Accommodation is a little cheaper also, with several of the hotels offering packages for staying outside of peak season.

If your lifestyle permits, a visit during the week – ideally a Wednesday when the farmers market is on – is definitely worthwhile.

2-day itinerary

Day 1 – Coastal walk -> Silica for lunch -> visit the Blowhole (time it with high tide!) -> Watch the sunset -> Cocktails and dinner at Little Betty’s.

Day 2 – Beach day with takeaway fish and chips or a picnic -> markets (on a Wednesday) -> scenic drive or visit to Minnamurra Rainforest -> Share plates at Miss Arda for dinner.

3-day itinerary

Day 1 – Coastal walk -> Silica for lunch -> visit the Blowhole (time it with high tide!) -> Watch the sunset -> Cocktails and dinner at Little Betty’s.

Day 2 – Swim in the ocean pools -> Picnic lunch with supplies from Flower Water Salt -> Afternoon beer at The Grand Hotel Kiama -> Dinner at Olive & Vine.

Day 3 – Morning beach swim at Kiama Surf Beach -> Scenic drive to Berry for lunch -> Visit to Minnamurra Rainforest -> Share plates at Miss Arda for dinner.

Extra days

If you have additional days available, you could consider:

• A scenic drive to nearby Gerringong
• Stand-up paddleboarding at Minnamurra River
• Walking the Sand Track at Seven Mile Beach
• Book in a massage or facial at the local Endota Spa
• Take in the gorgeous views with a round of golf at Gerringong Golf Club
• Potter around the shops and pick up a book to read in the sun from The Bookshop Kiama

Kiama isn’t a boutique shopping destination – the town centre has practical shops and cafes, but if you’re after artisan homewares and clothing boutiques, Berry is just 15 minutes away and offers exactly that. It’s also not a party town – nightlife is limited to a few pubs and wine bars, making it ideal for relaxed evenings rather than late nights. The blowhole, while iconic, can be underwhelming during calm seas or low tide – it’s worth a visit, but don’t expect guaranteed dramatic eruptions.

From Sydney:

• Driving – About 1 hour 45 minutes (131 km)
• Train – Direct train from Central Station takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes. The train station is centrally located and once in Kiama you don’t need a car to get around.

From Canberra:

• Driving – 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours (219 km)

While at the blowhole or on the coastal walk, keep an eye out for migrating whales, particularly from May to November.

Kiama is one of those destinations that feels easy – the drive from Sydney is relatively short, there are good accommodation and dining options, and the town itself is easy to explore. With the gorgeous coastal scenery and slower pace it really feels like you’ve left the city behind.  

Next Escape is your guide to real places and real experiences, with practical, independent travel advice based on first-hand visits: the places we’ve explored, the restaurants we’ve eaten at and the walks we’ve done.

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