Town in Australia
Photo: profernity, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kiama (rhymes with "I am a") is the beachside city in the Illawarra region, south of Wollongong. With the area established with farming, it has been a tourist destination for day trips and weekends from Sydney for over a century.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
In the right tide and surf conditions, especially with a south-easterly wind, the blowhole sprays water up to 30 meters in the air. Probably the most visited attraction in Kiama, sunny weekends see lots of people eagerly awaiting each spout.
A popular sunrise lookout next to what is otherwise a geological marvel of basalt rock formations.
You can get closer to it, and it blows more frequently than the main blowhole, but as the name suggests, it is much less impressive in size. Best in northeasterly winds.
A winding scenic drive through dairy country gets you to the top of Saddleback Mountain, with panoramic views of the surrounding foothills.
A long and often windswept stretch of sand known for its powerful surf breaks, making it popular with experienced surfers. The beach is suitable for long walks and beach fishing. Swimming can be hazardous due to strong rips and the beach is frequently unpatrolled outside of peak season weekends at the southern end. The dramatic basalt columns of the old Bombo Headland Quarry are located just behind the northern end of the beach and are a major draw for photographers, though access requires care over uneven rocky ground. Basic toilet facilities available near the train station/southern car park.
Mystics Beach
At the outlet of the Minnamurra River, the beach here ends in a picturesque long sand spit jutting out towards Stack Island and is a popular spot for kayaking and stand-up paddling. The ocean side has strong waves and can be dangerous, while the river side is shallow but can have tidal currents. You can park either on the Minnamurra village side by the river, or take a 20-min detour through Shell Cove to park at the far north end of the beach.
Chute toboggan rides, water slides. Much of the water isn't heated, so it is best on a hot day. Extensive picnic facilities, as well as food vendors. It also contains the Funnel Web, which has a largest spider statue. If you don't want to go on the toboggans, you can play minigolf.
A regular cafe with mildly over the top safari decor in the mornings, the real star here is South African style lunch and dinner, mixing Dutch, Malay, Indian and African influences. Try the tasting platter ($83/155 for 2/4) for a selection of classics like boerewors sausage and bunny chow (curry in bread).
A mid-range motel with reasonable amenities and modern-looking rooms that are generally clean and well-kept.
Modern apartment hotel just around the corner from the center of Kiama. Great views from the restaurant, but most rooms face out into the park or the train line.
Dairy products fresh from the farm, including biodynamic milk, cheddar and their main draw, the best gelato in town. All the classics plus seasonal flavours like raspberry aniseed myrtle.
By train
To get to downtown Kiama, catch a train to Kiama station from Sydney or Wollongong. Trains run every hour or so, but it's worth checking the timetable before your trip.
By bicycle
A bicycle route stretches from Bulli in all the way down the coast to Kiama, with only a short stretch on the main road. The route from Dunmore station down to Kiama is all off-road or quiet road.
Kiama and Bombo are both small enough that most of the points of interests are easily navigable on foot from the railway station; that isn't to say that sometimes walking in the town centre can be unpleasant, especially…
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Sydney (Mascot) · International · SYD
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Kiama and Australia.
Compare and apply for the Australia ETA and New Zealand NZeTA in 2026. Step-by-step mobile app guides, fees, the IVL levy, and trans-Tasman rules.
7 min read
Plan your trip to the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia with match cities, ticket windows, domestic flights, visa rules, and budget advice.
8 min read
Discover how to use AI to find cheap flights. Learn prompt strategies, smart fare engines, open-jaw routings, and error-fare booking techniques.
6 min read
Complete 2026 guide to visa-free travel for US citizens. Learn where American passport holders can go without a visa, new eTA rules, and entry fees.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.