South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation

Kiama

The Kiama area is located 90 minutes south of Sydney. The Municipality includes the coastal towns and country villages, Kiama, Jamberoo, Gerringong, Gerroa and Minnamurra. There are nine uncrowded patrolled beaches to enjoy.

The Kiama Visitor Information Centre is located at Blowhole Point next to the Pilot's Cottage Historical Museum that tells the story of Kiama's colourful past, from the time when cedar cutting, basalt quarries and dairy farming were the town's mainstays.

Famous for its Blowhole, Kiama sits on a peninsula that rises from the sweeping curve of Bombo Beach. On the cliffs at Blowhole Point, waves surging into an underground cavity are compressed and forced upwards, then explode high into the air, accompanied by a loud 'oomph'. The strength varies according to wind, waves and tides, but when it's pumping, the Blowhole always draws a crowd. There is also a Little Blowhole located 2kms further South which is well worth a look.

A short drive into the Hinterland from the Kiama Township takes you to Saddleback Mountain Lookout which provides a magnificent coastal and rural scenic outlook back to the Pacific Ocean. On a clear day, you'll be able to see more than 100 km – from Cronulla in the North to Pigeon House Mountain near Milton in the South. Walk along Hoddle's Trail, a 60-minute ramble along the edge of the escarpment.

The Minnamurra Rainforest looks like something out of the Amazon jungle. In the shadow of the Great Dividing Range, 15 minutes drive West, just inland from Kiama, giant roots creep across the forest floor, thick strangler figs lasso trees, and raucous bird calls erupt from the canopy high overhead.

From the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre, a 1.6-km elevated boardwalk winds towards the escarpment and across Minnamurra Creek, giving easy access to the 400-hectare rainforest. If you feel like a more substantial hike, there's a two-hour return walk to Minnamurra Falls.

Any visit to Minnamurra rainforest demands a stop at Jamberoo, a delightful little village surrounded by emerald green farms with the escarpment in the background. Jamberoo was established as early as 1820, originally to harvest the rich cedar forests that built much of colonial Sydney. Take a short stroll around town to explore its historic churches, and poke around in Fredericks General Store. On Sunday afternoons enjoy music and entertainment at the Jamberoo pub.

If there are children on board, take them to Jamberoo Action Park, where Billabong Beach, Rapid River, Outback Bay, Taipan and Surf Hill are the raw ingredients for an action-packed adventure playground. You can easily spend a day there, and count on tired and content children at the end of it.

Continue your drive over the Jamberoo Mountain Road to the Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk. A 500metre elevated walk takes in the spectacular panoramic scenery of the beautiful Kiama Coastline.

The Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk offers both an adventure and an educational experience. Enjoy the beauty of the rainforest and the spectacular views of the Illawarra region whilst enjoying the exhilarating experience of walking 25 metres above the ground. The Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk is nestled amongst a temperate rainforest located on the picturesque Illawarra Escarpment - with spectacular views of the South Coast.

Also located on the Jamberoo Mountain Road is the Budderoo National Park covering from Jamberoo and across to Upper Kangaroo Valley, the Budderoo National Park features several walking spots and spectacular waterfalls. Further up Jamberoo Mountain Road you'll find the turn off to Carrington Falls. A short 15 minutes walk through the bush brings you to a view over the top of the falls dropping 50 metres down into Kangaroo Valley.

Back into Kiama continue along the Princes Highway. Just south of the turn-off to Gerringong, follow the signs to Crooked River Winery, which produces a premium range of wines on a former dairy farm. Drive past Gerringong to Seven Mile Beach, where you can make the most of this wild and inspiring stretch of coast by going for a walk along the water's edge.

Seven Mile Beach is our natural scenic coastal beach stretches for 7 miles from Gerroa in the north through to Shoalhaven Heads in the South. The beach is renowned for it's safe surf and is used for a number of Surfing Schools throughout the Summer season.

Access to the northern end via Riverleigh Ave and Burke Parade with parking, toilets and picnic facilities over the footbridge. Entry points and parking are also available further south after crossing the Crooked River Bridge.

Northern end patrolled in summer on weekends from the long weekend in October through to Easter. Rail services run regularly from Sydney, providing a relaxing journey and some of the most scenic coastline in Australia.

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