From the famous Kiama Blowhole to lesser-known attractions, there’s so much to love about the seaside town of Kiama.
Just a 90-minute drive south of Sydney, on the NSW South Coast, the Kiama region is full of outdoor adventures for kids. What may surprise you is the number of impressive historic buildings, cafes and restaurants, boutique stores and art galleries to explore.
Stay a week or just a weekend, the choice is yours! Kiama is close enough to Sydney and Canberra for a short break — and one of the top stops on the Grand Pacific Drive — but there’s plenty to keep kids occupied for a week or more. Whether you’re keen for adventure or a relaxing escape, Kiama is sure to earn a special place in your heart.
Learn all about what Kiama has to offer below, including the best places to eat, play and stay.
What to do in Kiama with kids
There’s lots for families to see and do when visiting Kiama!
See Kiama's natural wonders
Without a doubt, the biggest attraction in town is the Kiama Blowhole, which is the largest of its kind in the world, with water spouting as high as 30 metres. There are several boardwalks from which to view the spectacle.
Take in the South Coast’s natural beauty on the 20-kilometre-long Kiama Coast Walk, which stretches from Minnamurra River to Werri Beach in Gerringong. The Walk is set out in stages, so you can do either a little or a lot.
Highlights along the way include the Kiama Lighthouse, which was built in 1887, and Pilot’s Cottage Museum (open on weekends). During winter, it’s also a great vantage point from which to spot humpback whales passing by on their annual migration. Alternatively, book a whale watching boat tour.
Learn more: A family-friendly guide to winter in Kiama
Fun on the water at Kiama's beaches
As well as Kiama’s main surf beach, popular patches of sand include Kendall’s Beach to the south, patrolled Werri Beach in Gerringong and Seven Mile Beach in Gerroa. Surfing lessons for the young and young at heart await, and there are several surf schools in the area. Kiama Harbour provides a safe place to go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.
Kid-friendly attractions in Kiama
Kids will love racing down the waterslides, braving the thrill rides and splashing about in the giant wave pool at Jamberoo Action Park, which also has a mini-golf course and a chairlift leading to a bobsled.
The whole family can go ziplining at Illawarra Fly, which also has a treetop walk and fairy houses dotted throughout. At Buena Vista Farm near Gerringong, kids can meet the goats, pigs and chickens during a farm tour.
For more, see our full list of 21 things to do with kids in Kiama.
Where to stay in Kiama with kids
With a beautiful beach right at its doorstep, a huge pool, epic water park and super fun kids’ club, BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park Kiama is the ideal place for a fun-filled family holiday. There’s a range of accommodation options to choose from, including powered campsites, cabins, villas and large beachfront retreats for up to eight people.
Sunny’s Aquaventure Park has multi-level platforms with two water slides, a giant tipping bucket and an ocean-themed splash pad with interactive features, as well as a shaded water journey for babies and toddlers.
The Krazy Kidz Club, which is open on weekends and during the NSW school holidays, offers such activities as slime making, sand art, foil art, scratch art, cupcake decorating and cooking classes to learn to make treats like Mars Bar balls, Crunchie slice and Malteser Fudge.
Parents can relax on sun loungers while watching their kids play in the two pools, one of which has a children’s water play area.
Family-friendly Kiama restaurants & cafes
The South Coast region is well-known for its food, with plenty of kid-friendly places to eat in Kiama:
Cafe Kiama & Scoops Ice Creamery & Gelateria
60 Terralong St, Kiama
Bright and colourful Cafe Kiama & Scoops Ice Creamery offers everything from hot dogs to Vietnamese pork rolls, plus milkshakes, smoothies and what feels like countless flavours of ice-cream, sorbet and gelato.
Penny Whistlers Cafe
5/31 Shoalhaven St, Kiama
Penny Whistlers Café has magical views over Kiama Harbour while the sun sets. The dedicated kids’ menu featuring items such as hotcakes with maple syrup, ham and cheese toasties (with cherry tomato, avocado and cucumber on the side) and fish and chips.
Adults will adore the signature Mocequa, a Brazilian stew with mussels, calamari, scallops and fish. Pete’s Belgian chocolate mousse with poached berries and biscotti is a flawless way to end the evening.
The Hungry Monkey
5/32 Collins St, Kiama
Dine in an old converted terrace house at The Hungry Monkey in Kiama.With its industrial styling, vibrant music playing and quirky touches including a giant monkey face on the wall, it has appeal for friends, families and couples.
Kid’s Oreo shakes are a winner, along with a good kid’s menu which includes bacon and eggs, three-stack pancakes, chicken strips and burgers. The main menu packs plenty of flavour for grown-ups, including the Southern Fry burger with southern fried chicken, American cheese, Jalapenos and monkey hot sauce.
Sails Bistro at Kiama Leagues Club
109 Terralong St, Kiama
Sails Bistro at Kiama Leagues Club has a playground on the verandah and kids’ lounge at the entrance, with a TV, Sega car racing games, arcade games and claw machines where they can win various prizes.
The Blue Swimmer at Seahaven
19 Riverleigh Ave, Gerroa
For one of the best local coffee stops, drop in to The Blue Swimmer at Gerroa where locals spill onto the streets, Sydney-style, waiting for their takeaway coffee. It’s worth the wait to dine indoors with views over Gerroa and the kid’s park across the road, sampling the decadent fresh cakes.
The Hill Bar & Kitchen
98 Fern St, Gerringong
The Hill Bar and Kitchen is a chic eatery in Fern Street, Gerringong, with sweeping beach vistas as well as outdoor lounges and deck seating. Parents will be glad to know it also has very generously sized children’s meals.
Crooked River Wines
11 Willowvale Rd, Gerringong
Around 10 minutes’ drive south of Kiama, Crooked River Wines in Gerringong is a fantastic venue for people of all ages. As well as a cellar door, an on-site restaurant with views over the vineyards and live music on Saturday afternoons, there’s a large grass area where children can play, a giant swing, chickens roaming around and friendly goats to pat.
Outdoor markets in the Kiama region
For such a relaxed and peaceful place, the Kiama area sure knows how to have fun. There are endless events for families, including regular markets:
Kiama Farmers' Market
Every Wednesday, Coronation Park
Pop into Kiama Farmers’ Market to peruse the stalls bursting with colourful locally-grown produce. As well as live music, there’s a dress up box to keep the littlies entertained, games such as chess, and food stalls offering gozleme, dumplings and donuts for an early dinner.
Gerringong Rotary Markets
Third Saturday of the month, Gerringong
On the third Saturday of every month, the centre of Gerringong fills with stalls piled high with boutique and handmade products for the Rotary Markets. Live music is also on the menu!
Kiama Seaside Markets
Third Saturday of the month, Black Beach
The largest and most vibrant market in the region, Kiama Seaside Markets is the place to find local arts and crafts. Kids’ rides and treats by the seas are another drawcard for families. Extra markets are typically held in April, June and January.
Jamberoo Village Market
Last Sunday of the month, Reid Park
At the quaint country Jamberoo Village Market, chat with the friendly locals and sift through bric-a-brac to discover hidden treasures.
Top tips for a Kiama family holiday
Here’s what you need to know to plan your own Kiama getaway:
Best time to visit
The NSW South Coast’s temperate climate makes Kiama perfect for family holidays any time of year. Even in winter, Kiama rarely gets down into single digits, while average daytime maximums bottom out at a manageable 17 degrees. Whale-watching season on the South Coast runs from May to November, peaking in September and early November.
The annual KISS Arts Fest is held in Kiama each October. Formerly known as the Kiama International SeaSide Arts Festival, the event schedule is packed with kids’ activities and family events, including music, theatre and comedy shows.
How to get there
Kiama makes a fantastic road trip destination from Sydney, Canberra, or Melbourne. From Sydney, take the 140km Grand Pacific Drive route, or connect to the iconic Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive. The South Coast rail line also connects Sydney to Kiama Station.
In partnership with BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park Kiama
Main image: An aerial view of BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park in Kiama © NEG photography
Content contributors: Angela Saurine, Katrina Holden
