Attractions

At The Green Cottage Bed and Breakfast we have a wide range of brochures and information to help you enjoy your holiday in Kiama and explore its many attractions. 

Your hosts Roy and Jeanette will be happy to assist you with their local knowledge and experience.  We recommend you drop into the Kiama Visitors Centre or visit them on-line for more information, maps, booklets and brochures. 

 

Scroll down this page to find out about:

 

The Kiama area offering offer some of the best swimming and surfing beaches on the Illawarra South Coast.

 

Surf Beach is Kiama's main surfing beach surrounded by parkland and central to Kiama's main shopping district. Patrolled in summer on weekends from the long weekend in October through to Easter. Plenty of accessible car parking, toilets, barbecue facilities, picnic tables and changing sheds. Access via Manning St, Kiama.

 

Kendalls Beach is 1km south of the Kiama town centre. It is a small gorgeous beach set in a protected bay between grassy headlands.  It is a popular swimming spot for families known for its small surf. BBQ and playground facilities available. Access via Bonaira Street, Kiama.

 

A large, quiet, unpatrolled beach, generally protected from heavy seas by two headlands. This a lovely beach for children with low, long sets of small waves and a small lagoon running into the beach. Access is through Easts Beach Holiday Park on Ocean Street, Kiama.

 

Bombo Beach is located just north of the Kiama township on the Eastern side of the Princes Hwy.  A popular surfing beach on the Northern end but only accomplished surfers should access this spot as it is well known for strong undercurrents. Whales can often be spotted off the Southern Headland during the migrating season between April and May as they head North and September and November as they travel South. This beach is patrolled during the summer months at the north end. Bombo Beach is a dog friendly beach.Access via Riverside Drive

 

Jones's Beach is another popular surfing beach with a North Easterly aspect just 5 minutes north of the Kiama township. It is patrolled by the local Surf Lifesaving Club. Enjoy views of spectacular Cathedral Rocks from the southern point of the beach. Access via North Kiama Drive, Kiama Downs.

 

'Mystics', a favourite with the locals, is a very popular surfing spot just off the Minnamurra River estuary.  This is part of the 250 hectares of pristine coastal reserve sited on 8 km of coastline with one of the best surf beaches on the south coast of New South Wales. This natural setting features small areas of vegetation with a view out to stunning Stack Island.

There are barbecues and picnic areas at nearby Minnamurra River Reserve. Access via Charles Ave, Minnamurra.

 

Located on a sweeping stretch between two rocky headlands, with rock swimming pools at one end and a natural lagoon at the other, Werri is ideal for active leisure lovers or those who simply seek to unwind. Surfers and body boarders have some of the best waves on the South Coast. Werri Beach is on trial as a dog friendly beach. Access via Pacific Ave, Gerringong.

This natural scenic coastal beach stretches for 7 miles from Gerroa in the north through to Shoalhaven Heads in the South. The beach is renowned for it’s safe surf and is used for a number of Surfing Schools throughout the Summer season.  The Northern end is patrolled in summer on weekends from the long weekend in October through to Easter. Access to the northern end is via Riverleigh Ave and Burke Parade with parking, toilets and picnic facilities over the footbridge. Entry points and parking are also available further south after crossing the Crooked River Bridge.

 

Kiama has a host of café’s offering coffee and light refreshments.  Most of the café’s are on Terralong Street opposite the Commonwealth Park and along the lower end of Manning Street. There is also the Little Blowhole Cafe on the southern end of the town – just ask us for directions.

Kiama has some fantastic cycleways that curl around the stunning coastline. In particular the Minnamurra to Kiama route provides a relaxing and safe means to get around, it combines both on and off road paths, linking Kiama to Minnamurra.

Marlin, yellowfin tuna, kingfish, mulloway (jewfish), snapper, flathead & morwong are all within easy reach with a boat launched from one of our five boat ramps.  Two are located at Minnamurra River, as well as at Kiama Harbour, Gerroa & Gerringong (watch the surge).

The Harbour is a great spot for the whole family fishing for bream & blackfish.  Around the rocks you can fish for Kingfish, snapper, drummer, trevally, salmon, tailor & groper.

 

This beach is also famous for its whiting during the summer months as well as bream, tailor, salmon, flathead & mulloway.

 

This is a popular place for prawns, good size bream & flathead up to 5kg recorded.

 

Werri Beach is a very deep beach with snapper to 6kg & whiting to 1kg to be had.

 

The Minnamurra River is a unique mangrove ecosystem. Netting is illegal, but many a peaceful hour can be spent fishing for whiting, bream, flathead & blackfish.

 

Take a trip out on the water with one of the local charter operators.  These start from Kiama harbor. For information on upcoming fishing tournaments contact the Kiama Fishing Club.

With so much history evident in the area, it would be a shame to leave without learning about our past. A good place to start would be at the Pilot's Cottage Museum around the harbour and historic precinct of Kiama. Heritage walk leaflets are available on Kiama, Gerringong and Jamberoo, pointing out the prominent historical landmarks and places of interest in the area - just ask at the Kiama Visitors Centre on Blowhole Point.

 

The Sebel (enjoy the wonderful view across the Kiama harbour)

The Grand Hotel (classic old Australian hotel)

Jamberoo Hotel (enjoy a cosy open fire in winter)

 

held on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 9am – 3pm at Black Beach with a fantastic array of local arts, crafts and collectables. For Stall bookings please phone 0457 773 063 to book your stand or for further information contact Kiama Visitors Centre on 04 4232 3322 

 

held on the 4th Saturday of each month at Black Beach from 8am – 1pm with delectable gourmet food and produce.  Phone for stall bookings on 02 423 0464

 

held on the last Sunday of each month in Kevin Walsh Oval, Jamberoo. For stall bookings please contact Kiama Apex on  0405 2569 264

 

held on the 3rd Saturday of Every Month. Gerringong Town Hall, 8am to 1pm. For stall bookings please contact Margaret Hyslop 0410 663 548 or Patricia Crowhurst 02 423 4904 

 

This is a unique experience that captures views over the Illawarra valley.  It offers both an adventure and an educational experience. With the treetop walks soft environmental footprint, guests can enjoy the beauty of the rainforest and the spectacular views of the Illawarra region whilst enjoying the exhilarating experience of walking 25 metres above the ground.

 

This is a multi award winning attraction located in Budderoo National Park, a short fifteen minute drive west of Kiama past the village of Jamberoo. Visitors can experience the spender and beauty of subtropical and warm temperate rainforests along a network of elevated walkways and paved tracks which meander through the rainforest. Suspension bridges cross the Minnamurra Rivulet and lead visitors to spectacular views over the rainforest canopy and the gorge carved by Minnamurra Rivulet and conclude at the Upper Falls. Other facilities include a retail shop, a Café for light meals and refreshment, Picnic and BBQ facilities.

 

Kiama has a range of wonderful restaurants of many cuisines. Most of the restaurants are on Collins Street which runs down the hill into Terralong Street and is flanked on one side by the old stores from the 1890’s.  Please ask us if you need to know more.

Below is a list of most of the restaurants in Kiama :

 

Seabreeze              (Seafood and other)

Chachi’s                 (Italian/Mediteranean)

Ritzi Gritz               (Mexican)

Kiama Thai             (Thai)

JJ’s                        (Indian)

Hanoi on Manning   (Vietnamese)

Pippies                   (Seafood and Australian)

The Sebel               (Thai)

Italian Pizza            (Pizza – dine in or takeaway)

Red Dragon            (Chinese)

Other one               (Chinese)

Hunk Dory              (specialty fish and chips – takeaway)

 

The rock pools at Kiama are large safe swimming areas built onto the rock shelf but protected from the waves by a low wall that allows sea water to continually refresh them. Kiama has two rock pools. 

 

One pool is at the end of the Kiama Harbour. Public toilets are available. To get there take the road to the lighthouse then turn left after 100 meters.

 

The other rock pool is situated at the northern end of Kiama harbor. There are no change room facilities available.  Access via Shoalhaven Street. 

Time: 30 minutes.

Start at the Kiama Visitors Centre on Blowhole Point, drive the loop past the Lighthouse and Blowhole, turn right on Terralong Street, then straight through the roundabout, past the pink Post Office (left) and Hindmarsh Park, Kiama Leagues Club and Centro Kiama shopping centre (right).  See sports fields and Kiama Leisure Centre (left) in an old bluestone quarry. Under the overpass, turn right onto the Princes Highway and see Kiama Cemetery (left) and Bombo Railway station (right). Take the Bombo exit (left) and turn right into Bombo Beach for a walk or swim, or continue on and turn right into Riverside Drive. Turn right again at North Kiama Drive. Follow this up the hill, turn right over the railway line, continue on then turn sharp right into Cliff Drive. See Cathedral Rocks on your left. Return to North Kiama Drive, head north past Jones Beach, turn right onto Charles Avenue. See Kiama Golf Club (left). Turn third right to James Oates Reserve, Minnamurra River entrance and Rangoon Island. Enjoy a great walk around the headland. Return to Kiama via Federal Street under the railway line and through the Golf Course. Turn left onto Riverside Drive and head back to town.

 

Time: 30 minutes.

Start at the Kiama Visitors Centre on Blowhole Point, drive the loop past the Lighthouse and Blowhole, turn right on Terralong Street, then left at roundabout  onto Manning Street. Travel south past the pink  Post Office (right), historic Council Chambers, the Old Bank and the Westpac building (left). See Coronation Park and Surf Beach (left). Just past the Catholic Church and school, turn left at Barney Street roundabout to Chapman Point and Chapman’s Reserve, named after the original owner of historic Hartwell House, seen on the corner of Hartwell Crescent. For magnificent views, walk or cycle the path from Surf Beach around the headland to Kendalls Beach. Turn right at Farmers Street for the bluestone Coach House, formerly part of Hartwell House. Turn left into Manning Street and take the next left into Bonaira Street. The Old Hospital (right) was built in 1931. Down the hill is Kendalls Beach (left) and playing field (right). Behind this is the entrance to Bonaira Native Reserve and Walk. Stay on Bonaira Street; follow Gwinganna, Tombonda and Tingira to discover The Little Blowhole. Take a short walk north to Fry’s Cave, an enormous sea cavern in the cliff face. Continue along Tingira Crescent to Marsden Street for Easts Beach (left). Take Wilson and Marks Streets back to South Kiama Drive, turn right and head back to town.

 

Time: 1 hour.

Start at the Kiama Visitors Centre on Blowhole Point, drive the loop past the Lighthouse and Blowhole, turn right on Terralong Street, then left at the roundabout onto Manning Street. Travel south and turn right at Kiama High School onto Saddleback Mountain Road. Turn left at the hill top and follow the scenic country road which takes you to Saddleback Lookout where, on a clear day, you can see almost 120km north and south along the coast. This is also the start of Hoddles Track bush walk. Leave the lookout and turn left on Fountaindale Road and follow the bitumen track to Jamberoo Road. Turn left and proceed for 2km to reach historic Jamberoo village. About 1km through town, turn right at the roundabout, then left up Jamberoo Mountain Road for the award winning Minnamurra Rainforest in Budderoo National Park, Barren Grounds Nature reserve and the Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk at Knights Hill. Return to Jamberoo Road, turn left and travel for about 4km to Jamberoo Action Park, then onto Albion Park. Turn right at the Princes Highway to head back to Kiama. Or from Jamberoo Action Park you can return back to Kiama on Jamberoo Road, past historic Terragong House.

 

Time: 1 hour more than driving to Sydney via Wollongong.

Go south down Manning Street onto the highway and continue south to Berry (20 minutes).  Be sure to stop for a coffee and browse the many shops. Drive through Berry and take the Kangaroo Valley road at the southern end of town (turn right).  Enjoy the breathtaking scenery until you get to the town of Kangaroo Valley (15 minutes).  Continue through the town and drive up the range to the Fitzroy Falls reserve.  You will want to get out and enjoy the waterfall.  Then take the road to Bowral (15 minutes) and then on to the Hume Highway and back to Sydney. 

Time: 45 minutes more than driving to Sydney via Wollongong.

Go to Wollongong but take the ----- look for signs to Bulli and Thiroul. Sutherland National APrk, Austinmere, Stanwell Park, etc. 

 

Shopping at Kiama can be a delightful experience for any shopaholic.  Kiama boasta a variety of boutique fashion shops and homeware stores.  It has a craft supply store, a hardware store, a fishing supply store, 3 chemists, 2 delicatessens, a travel outlet, 2 jewelers, a photographic, a liquor store and many others.  On one side of Collins Street you will see a line of old historic Terrace houses shops that date back to the 1890’s. These have been converted to shops and cafes sell a wide range of tourist trinkets and mementoes.  Kiama has a Woolworths supermarket at the Centro Shopping Centre which includes a variety of other stores. Just ask your hosts if you need directions.

 

 

 

There are plenty of places to step out and take in some fresh air along the coast or in the hinterlands around the Kiama area. A user-friendly Kiama Walk-it map is available at the Kiama Visitors Centre near the lighthouse and blow-hole.  The map identifies locations of popular walking paths and tracks and also provides information on the time taken to complete each walk, distance and grade of difficulty. The Kiama Walk it map also shows interesting locations to visit during each walk. Call the Kiama Visitors Centre for further information including pocket guides and trail maps.

 

Several marked and unmarked tracks  exist around the coastal reserves.  They include:- Minnamurra Headland, Cathedral Rocks, Bombo, Black Beach to Kaleula Head and Little Blowhole to Loves Bay.  Why not try the newly opened Kiama Coastal Walk from Kiama Heights (Loves Bay) to Gerringong (Werri Lagoon) walk.  This six kilometre walk takes in the rugged scenic beauty of the area, wear sturdy footwear and a sun protection. Keep your eye out for whales from May - November and Sea Eagles all year round. Call into the Kiama Visitors Centre for a copy of the Loves Bay to Werri Lagoon map.

 

Featuring newly established rainforest species and can be found just south of Kendalls Beach or commence from Reid Street, Kiama.

 

commencing from Saddleback Mountain offers a return walk with some great views along the coast on its way to the escarpment.

 

Located at Barren Grounds Nature Reservethis walk gives you a relatively flat but scenic route through the hearthland.

 

Pick up a copy of the Shoalhaven Coast Vineyards and Wineries Map and the Kiama Regional Wine Guide from the Kiama Visitors Centre at Blowhole Point.  This is full of information on local wineries and awarded wines from the South Coast and Southern Highlands. The Shoalhaven Coast wine region has been strongly developing over the last 15 years, with 15 vineyards scattered over the area.  At the lookout on the highway between Kiama and Gerringong a large detailed map is on display that shows all the wineries in the Kiama and Illawarra area.

 

in Gerringong is a great place to start, with it's favourite Chocolate Port it can be found just off the Princes Highway on Willow Vale Road.

 

on the Princes Highway at Gerringong invites visitors to enjoy private wine tasting by apointment.

 

If your heading further south, pop into the award winning Coolangatta Estate Winery. 

 

This is held on the June long weekend,