With its dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches and fascinating rock formations, Kiama is a great place to experience the rugged beauty of New South Wales. The laid-back town is dotted with historic buildings and towering Norfolk pines, while beach hopping along the Sapphire Coast and lush Budderoo National Park rainforests provide stunning natural spoils.

Things to do

No visit to Kiama is complete without getting drenched by the famous Blowhole. It's supposedly the largest in the world, shooting spectacular plumes of water 25 metres into the air. You can also visit nearby Cathedral Rocks, where volcanic karsts rise out of the ocean and look particularly epic at sunset.

Kiama's Historic Terrace Houses were originally built for local quarry workers in the late-1800s. Today they're protected by the National Trust and house a unique collection of craft stores, cafes and clothing boutiques.

Sitting in Budderoo National Park, the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre offers a fascinating glimpse at the local ecosystem. The park is also laced with trails that take you past cascading waterfalls, scenic lookouts and towering fan palms.

When the sun's shining, there's no better place to be than Surf Beach. Surrounded by grassy parkland and Norfolk pines, it's an easy stroll from Kiama's main shopping district. In addition to its world-class waves, the sheltered beach features a kids’ playground, picnic tables and a lifeguard during summer.

Getting around

While Kiama is easy to navigate on foot, you'll need a car to explore the Sapphire Coast at your own pace. From Sydney, the drive to Kiama takes about 90 minutes. You can also catch a train from Sydney or Wollongong, which takes around three hours.