Kiama

Kiama is a beachside city in the Illawarra region, about 90 minutes south of Sydney by car or just over 2 hours by train. With a population of more than 20,000, it has been a tourist destination for day trips and weekends from Sydney for over a century. The area is famous for its spectacular coastline, the famous Kiama Blowhole, and surrounding rural scenery. Today's economy remains strongly supported by rural activities as well as a burgeoning tourism industry, with a rich heritage based on dairy farming and quarrying.

Kiama is accessible by car via the Princes Highway (M1) or by train on the South Coast Line from Sydney. The train journey takes just over 2 hours. Kiama station and Bombo station serve the area on the South Coast Line.

Kiama and Bombo are both small enough that most points of interest are easily navigable on foot from the railway station. However, walking in the town centre can sometimes be unpleasant, especially when crossing the road.

Kiama sits on some of the most picturesque and beautiful coastline of the Illawarra. The main attraction is the Kiama Blowhole and Lighthouse at Blowhole Point Road, which in the right tide and surf conditions, especially with a south-easterly wind, sprays water up to 30 meters in the air. Nearby, Cathedral Rocks at 36 Cliff Drive in Kiama Downs is a popular sunrise lookout and geological marvel of basalt rock formations. The Little Blowhole on Tingira Crescent blows more frequently than the main blowhole but is smaller; best in northeasterly winds. For panoramic views, Saddleback Mountain Lookout is reached via a winding scenic drive through dairy country, 7 km southwest of Kiama.

Bombo Beach on the Princes Highway is a long, often windswept stretch of sand known for powerful surf breaks popular with experienced surfers. 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. Minnamurra Beach at the outlet of the Minnamurra River features a picturesque long sand spit and is popular for kayaking and stand-up paddling. For family fun, Jamberoo Recreation Park at 1215 Jamberoo Road offers chute toboggan rides, water slides, and the Funnel Web spider statue, with adult entry at $79 and children at $69. Golfers can visit Jamberoo Golf Club at 21 Allowrie Street in Jamberoo.

The Kiama Seaside Markets run on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 9AM to 3PM. For fresh local dairy products, visit The Pines Pantry at 26 Collins Street, which stocks biodynamic milk, cheddar, and their signature gelato with seasonal flavours like raspberry aniseed myrtle.

KG Cafe at 42 Terralong Street serves South African style cuisine mixing Dutch, Malay, Indian, and African influences, open Monday-Wednesday 7AM-3PM and Thursday-Sunday 7AM-late. Try the tasting platter at $83 for two or $155 for four people, featuring classics like boerewors sausage and bunny chow. Dragon Garden Chinese Restaurant at 113-115 Terralong Street offers Chinese dining.

Accommodation options include Motel 617 at 132 Manning Street, a mid-range motel with reasonable amenities and modern, clean rooms. The Sebel Harbourside Kiama at 31 Shoalhaven Street is a modern apartment hotel with great restaurant views, though most rooms face the park or train line.

Kiama Municipal Library provides free Internet access for visitors.

Wollongong and Sydney are both feasible as day trips from Kiama. Further south lie Nowra and Bomaderry, Jervis Bay, and the Shoalhaven region in general. By car, the M1 heads north to Sydney via Albion Park and south to Batemans Bay via Gerringong. By train, electric services run north to Sydney and Bondi Junction, while diesel services run south to Bomaderry via Gerringong.