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.
This complete Kiama travel guide covers everything you need to plan the perfect South Coast getaway, from the best beaches and coastal walks to where to eat and stay.
Next Escape is your guide to real places and real experiences across NSW — honest, practical travel advice based on genuine 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 Kiama worth visiting?
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 – 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.
Why visit Kiama?
- 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 versatile with lots of accommodation, dining and activity options for families, foodies, couples and exercise lovers.
- Gorgeous coastal views.
- The town centre and beach area is easily walkable.
Kiama at a glance
| 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 |
| Ideal stay | 2-3 nights |
| Best time to visit | Spring & early autumn |
How long should you stay in Kiama?
- 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 standout meals.
Best things to do in Kiama
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 20km mix of paths, grass tracks and beach walks with Kiama sitting 8.5 km from the northern end. If 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 – see the Minnamurra Whale Watching Platform, Cathedral Rocks and Bombo Headland. Then the next, 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
There are two fantastic ocean pools in Kiama. The larger pool (Continental Ocean Pool, also called Olympic Pool) is at the northern end of Black Beach Reserve.
There are changing facilities at both pools.
Where to eat and drink in Kiama
- 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
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: pizzas $14 – $30, other mains $28 – $48
Relaxed and family-friendly with generously sized gourmet pizzas.
Miss Arda: small plates $16 – $30, large plates $36 – $38
Casual, Middle Eastern inspired sharing menu (the halloumi and the prawns are a standout!) with a great wine list and cocktail options.
Flower Water Salt: sourdough from $7.90, takeaway family pies $27 – $37
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. My personal favourite is the mushroom & thyme.
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: breakfast from $14 – $26
A fantastic spot for morning coffee and smashed avo. Other highlights for us included the hotcakes and eggs benedict.
The Grand Hotel Kiama: mains $26 – $51
Family-friendly location with all you’d expect from a good country pub – burgers, steak, schnitzel and a great selection of beers on tap.
Where to stay in Kiama
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.
The Sebel Kiama
4-star hotel set on a slight hill near the centre of town. This is everything you’d expect from a Sebel – clean rooms and good facilities (bar, restaurant, gym).
Kove Apartments Kiama
Very close to the beach, with beach views and a pool. Spacious, clean and new apartments.
Personal note: This is our pick of accommodation in Kiama. The apartment we stayed in 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.
Nova Kiama
Boutique hotel in a central location with gym and outdoor pool.
Kiama Harbour Cabins
Individual cabins from 1 to 3 bedrooms, located right next to the blowhole and lighthouse. Some have ocean views. Great for families.
Best time to visit Kiama
- 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.
Perfect Kiama itinerary options
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
What Kiama isn’t
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.
How to get to Kiama
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)
Local travel tips
While at the blowhole or on the coastal walk, keep an eye out for migrating whales, particularly from May to November.
FAQs
Bring sunblock, a hat and a refillable water bottle for the coastal walk (there are water stations at some points). Also bring binoculars to keep an eye out for migrating whales.
The Minnamurra Rainforest area is just a 15-minute drive from Kiama and includes the Rainforest Loop Walk – a 1.6km loop walk of elevated walkways, suspension bridges and viewing platforms. For those wanting to go a little further (and not minding a few steep sections), there’s also the 4.2km Falls Walk. Park fees apply.
The town of Gerringong is also only a 10-minute drive from Kiama. This is a slower paced, smaller town with gorgeous coastal scenery. It’s also the southernmost point of the Kiama Coastal Walk.
Berry is around a 20-minute drive from Kiama and offers fabulous boutiques and cafes.
Yes – the Surf Beach (main Kiama beach) is patrolled from October long weekend through to Easter.
Yes, there are good accommodation options for couples (a 1-bedroom apartment at Kove would be our recommendation) and excellent dining and cocktail choices. There’s also an Endota Spa for a couple’s massage (well deserved after the coastal walk!).
Yes, Kiama is easily walkable. The town is mostly level and it’s an easy walk between the beach, the blowhole, the train station and the town centre.
Most accommodation options include free parking. There’s timed parking at the beach and free and paid parking at the blowhole.
Kiama is ideal for:
- Couples seeking an easy coastal break with great food and wine options
- Families wanting safe beaches with BBQ and picnic facilities
- Walkers and outdoor lovers
- Sydneysiders looking for a low-effort escape
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.