Kiama & the Blowhole
The pretty seaside town of Kiama is the northern gateway to the South Coast — and home to one of the world's largest blowholes, which can fire seawater more than 30 metres skyward on the right swell. Around it lie a historic lighthouse, dramatic volcanic rock formations, a beautiful coast walk and a rainforest just inland. Barely 90 minutes from Sydney, it's the perfect first stop as you head south.
The Blowhole & the Little Blowhole
The Kiama Blowhole is the town's icon — a sea cave on Blowhole Point that funnels a big south-easterly swell up and out in a booming plume of spray. It's free, floodlit after dark and right beside the Kiama Lighthouse (first lit in 1887). When the main blowhole is quiet, head 2 km south to the Little Blowhole on Tingira Crescent — smaller, but often the more reliable performer on a north-easterly. Both are weather-dependent, so a windy, rough day gives the best show.
Cathedral Rocks, Bombo & the walk
Kiama's coastline is made for walking and photography. Just north, the volcanic Cathedral Rocks at the end of Jones Beach and the striking hexagonal basalt columns of Bombo Headland Quarry are sunrise favourites (both exposed and unpatrolled — take care near the water). Patrolled Bombo Beach is the town's main surf beach. Tying it together, the Kiama Coast Walk traces about 20 km of headland and beach between Minnamurra and Gerringong — pick a section and enjoy the views.
Minnamurra Rainforest
About 15 minutes inland, in Budderoo National Park, the Minnamurra Rainforest offers an elevated Lyrebird Loop boardwalk (1.6 km) through lush subtropical rainforest, with a steeper Falls Walk extension to Minnamurra Falls. A vehicle fee applies. Note that the visitor precinct has been through storm repairs and an amenities upgrade, and the café is closed for now — so check the current NPWS alerts before you visit. It's a lovely, cool contrast to the coast.
Kiama: your questions
The Kiama Blowhole — one of the largest in the world — puts on its best show when there's a strong south-easterly swell and wind, which drives water up through the sea cave and can send spray more than 30 metres into the air. It's unpredictable, so you might catch a huge blast or a gentle spout; a rougher day gives the biggest show. It's free, floodlit at night and accessible, right beside the lighthouse on Blowhole Point.
Yes — the Little Blowhole, on Tingira Crescent about 2 km south of the main one, is smaller but often more reliable, firing best on a north-easterly swell. Many locals rate it as the more consistent performer. It's free with a small car park, and well worth the short detour, especially if the main blowhole is quiet on the day.
Plenty. Beyond the two blowholes, there's the historic Kiama Lighthouse (first lit in 1887) and Pilot's Cottage Museum on Blowhole Point, the dramatic volcanic Cathedral Rocks and the hexagonal basalt columns of Bombo Headland Quarry (a photographer's favourite), patrolled Bombo Beach, and the superb Kiama Coast Walk. The nearby Minnamurra Rainforest adds a rainforest boardwalk within a short drive.
The full Kiama Coast Walk is about 20 km, split into three sections you can walk separately: North (Minnamurra to the Blowhole, ~8.5 km), Mid (Blowhole to Loves Bay, ~6 km) and South (Loves Bay to Werri Beach at Gerringong, ~6 km). It mixes sealed path, grassy headland and beach, with gorgeous coastal views throughout. Most visitors tackle one scenic section rather than the whole thing.
Kiama is about 120 km, or roughly 1.5 hours' drive, south of Sydney down the freeway and Princes Highway — the closest major stop on the South Coast and a great first base. You can also reach it by train on the South Coast Line from Sydney (about 2 hours), which terminates its electrified service at Kiama. See our getting around guide.