Kiama Coastal Walking | My Experience Walking Along the Kiama Coast

When you travel south from Sydney, you will eventually reach Kiama, a coastal town known for its beaches, rocky cliffs, ocean views, and the famous Kiama Blowhole.

I recently visited Kiama and spent some time walking along the Kiama Coast Walk. Rather than simply visiting the famous Blowhole and leaving, I followed the coastline on foot and explored some of the surrounding beaches and coastal scenery.

Getting to Kiama from Sydney

Kiama is about 120 km south of Sydney and can be reached by car or train.

If you drive, you can follow the Princes Highway south from Sydney. The actual travel time depends on traffic, so it is a good idea to check the route before leaving.

Another convenient option is the train. You can take the South Coast Line from Sydney Central Station toward Kiama. One advantage of the Kiama Coast Walk is that several sections of the walking route can be connected with nearby train stations, making it possible to plan a one-way walk without having to return to the starting point.

For example, you can start around Minnamurra, walk south toward Kiama, or start in Kiama and walk toward Gerringong.

For my visit, I travelled by car and started my walk around the Kiama Blowhole area.

Starting at Kiama Blowhole

The Kiama Blowhole is probably the first place most visitors think of when they hear the name Kiama.

The Blowhole is a natural rock formation where waves enter a narrow opening in the rocks and seawater can be pushed upward into the air. The size and frequency of the spray depend on the waves and weather conditions.

Around the Blowhole, there is also the Kiama Lighthouse, the Pilot’s Cottage and the Kiama Visitor Information Centre. This makes the area a convenient starting point for exploring the coast.

After spending some time around the Blowhole, I followed the coastal path and continued south.

Walking Along the Coast

One of the main characteristics of the Kiama Coast Walk is that it is not simply one straight path. The route connects beaches, headlands, residential areas and natural coastal sections.

From the Kiama Blowhole area, the southern section passes places such as Storm Bay, Surf Beach, Kendalls Beach, Easts Beach and Loves Bay.

The section from Kiama Blowhole to Loves Bay is about 6 km and takes around 1.5 hours, depending on your walking speed and how often you stop.

As I walked, I found that the surface changed from one section to another. Some parts were paved, while others followed grass or more natural paths.

This also meant that the scenery changed regularly.

At one point, I was walking beside a rocky coastline with waves below the cliffs. A little further along, a small beach appeared. From some of the higher sections, I could look back along the coastline and see the route I had already walked.

Little Blowhole

Another interesting place along the coast is Little Blowhole.

It is smaller than the main Kiama Blowhole, but it can be visited while walking along the coastal route. The amount of water coming through the rocks depends on the sea conditions.

Because the coastline can be exposed to strong waves, it is important to stay away from the edge of the rocks and follow any safety signs.

From Little Blowhole, the path continues toward Easts Beach and Loves Bay.

This section provides a mixture of beaches, rocky areas and open ocean views.

Other Sections of the Kiama Coast Walk

The Kiama Coast Walk is approximately 20 km in total and is divided into three main sections.

The northern section runs from Minnamurra River to Kiama Blowhole and is about 8.5 km long.

This section passes several interesting coastal locations, including Jones Beach, Cathedral Rocks, Bombo Headland and Bombo Beach, before reaching Kiama Blowhole.

Cathedral Rocks and Bombo Headland are particularly interesting if you enjoy unusual coastal rock formations.

The southern section runs from Loves Bay to Gerringong and is about 6 km long. It continues toward Werri Beach and Werri Lagoon.

This section includes more natural coastal scenery and some uphill and downhill sections, so it is worth considering your fitness level and the weather before starting.

What I Noticed While Walking

The main feature I noticed during my walk was how frequently the coastal scenery changed.

The route moved between rocky cliffs, beaches, grassy areas and higher viewpoints. Even though I was following the same coastline, the landscape looked different as I continued walking.

Some sections allowed me to walk quite close to the beach, while other sections were higher above the water.

From the higher points, the coastline opened up and provided wide views of the ocean.

There were also several places where I could stop for photographs without needing to leave the main walking route.

Things to Know Before You Go

You do not need to walk the entire 20 km route.

Because the Kiama Coast Walk is divided into three sections, you can choose one section depending on your available time and fitness level.

Since the route follows the coast, it is a good idea to bring water, a hat, sunscreen and a fully charged phone.

The weather can also make a big difference. Coastal areas can become quite windy, and some sections are exposed with limited protection from the weather.

Extra care is needed around cliffs and rocky areas, particularly when the waves are strong.

If you plan to walk toward Gerringong, check the conditions around Werri Lagoon before starting, especially after heavy rain.

If you are visiting Kiama for the first time, I would recommend spending more time than just visiting the Blowhole.

Walking along the coast allows you to see smaller beaches, rocky formations, cliffs and viewpoints that can easily be missed when travelling by car.

The entire Kiama Coast Walk is around 20 km, but you can choose a shorter section according to your schedule.

For this visit, I walked mainly around the Kiama Blowhole and along the nearby coastline. Next time, I would like to explore the northern section from Minnamurra to Kiama and see Bombo Headland and Cathedral Rocks along the way.

Kiama is also suitable for a day trip from Sydney, and the area can be reached by both car and train.

For me, the main attraction of the Kiama Coastal Walk was not one particular destination. It was the opportunity to follow the coastline and see the beaches, cliffs, rocks and ocean from different points along the route.

If you enjoy coastal walking, Kiama is a place worth exploring on foot rather than simply stopping at the famous Blowhole and heading home.