Top 8 things to Do in Kiama with Kids
This blog post is dedicated to our top 8 things to do with kids in Kiama. Planning a family holiday can be a little daunting, and knowing the little ones will be entertained makes for a carefree start of the trip. Our recommendations include local Kiama sights, an exciting action park plus visits to gorgeous surrounding beaches and national parks.
We have had a look for things to do with kids all along the unspoilt NSW South Coast, incorporating Kiama, Gerringong, Gerroa, Jamberoo, Minnamurra and Bombo. Whether you’re here for quiet family time, surf, sights or delicious local food, families will love all Kiama has to offer.
Where to stay in Kiama with kids
Before we write about the best activities in the Kiama area to do with kids, we’ll address the accommodation situation. For the holiday to be a success, you need a solid kid-friendly base. It is important to choose accommodation where children are welcome with enough space for the whole family. A nice bonus if it’s also in a great location with kid-friendly cafes and restaurants in the near vicinity.
It might come as a surprise (as we are writing this blog, please get ready for a tiny bit of shameless self promotion ;-)) but the best hotel accommodation option for a trip to Kiama with kids is…. to book a Nova Kiama family room.
1. Stay in a Nova Kiama Family Room (sleeps 4)
Nova Kiama is a brand new boutique hotel, we opened our doors 1st November 2019, We have a great variety of rooms, including family rooms that sleep four. All our rooms are spacious, have beautiful designer bathrooms and free wifi [check availability & pricing here]. On top of that, the hotel has a private outdoor heated swimming pool and is a 5 minute walk to the beach. Besides this, Nova Kiama is surrounded by some of the South Coast’s best cafes and restaurants, perfect for mum and dad to enjoy Kiama’s culinary side. Learn more about the best eats in Kiama in this blog.
Location: 31 Bong Bong Street, Kiama NSW 2533, Australia
Contact: +61 2 4203 3010 | Website
What to do in Kiama with kids
Now we’ve covered where to stay, we will continue with the list of the best things to do in Kiama with kids. We’ve carefully selected locations and activities we believe the whole family will enjoy together. And the great thing about the list is that you won’t have to travel far to have a great day. This means no rushing around and doing everything at your own pace.
2. Jamberoo Action Park
Without a doubt the number 1 kids’ favourite activity in the Illawarra: Jamberoo Action Park. NSW’s largest family owned and operated water theme park features world class rides and attractions, making for a perfect family day out. There are so many rides and slides to choose from, plus there is a huge water playground. No wonder it’s easy to spend a full day here and wanting to come back the next day! Your park entrance ticket includes all rides and attractions plus parking is free, a nice little bonus. Nova Kiama is a great base for those planning a trip to Jamberoo Action Park as the park is a quick 15 minute drive away.
Location: 1215 Jamberoo Rd, Jamberoo NSW 2533, Australia
Contact: +61 2 4236 0114 | Website
3. Kiama Lighthouse & Blowhole
The Kiama Lighthouse was built in 1887 and Kiama Blowhole was formed 260 million years ago. Both have been popular tourist attractions since the late 19th century. In a south easterly swell, the sea sprays from the blowhole high up in the air so try to plan your trip there to align with the swell! The Kiama Lighthouse & Blowhole are a 10 minute walk from Nova Kiama, making it easy to pop round any time to check on the blowhole. And trust us, when the blowhole does its thing, your little ones will be thrilled!
Location: Blowhole Point, Kiama NSW 2533, Australia
Contact: 1300 654 262 | Website
4. Kiama Coast Walk
Kiama Coast Walk: the very best coast walk in Australia. Ok ok, we might be a little biased but it sure is beautiful! The walk covers 22kms of incredible ocean views, ancient rock formations and gorgeous unspoilt beaches. The track is divided into three sections, so you can take your pick or do them all. The first section begins at the mouth of the Minnamurra River to Kiama Blowhole and takes about three hours, the second leg from Kiama Blowhole to Loves Bay takes around one and a half hours and the last section from Loves Bay to Gerringong’s Werri Beach can be covered in about two hours. During the NSW whale season you can get lucky and see humpback whales migrating up and down the coast! The whale season runs from May until November.
Location: From Minnumurra River to Gerringong’s Werri Beach
More information on Kiama Coast Walk
5. Minnamurra Falls Walk
Starting at the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre, the falls walk is 4.2km return and takes about 1-2 hours. Your little ones will enjoy the hike (run) up the tracks to the top falls, especially when the area has had some rain and the waterfall is in full flow! It’s a great place for kids to let off some steam on the rope bridges whilst enjoying views of the rock pool and rain-forest. With loads of animal life around, you may see various lizards, gorgeous butterflies and lots of birds. If you are in luck, you might even see lyrebirds! Minnamurra is a 20 minute drive from Nova Kiama.
Location: 345 Minnamurra Falls Rd, Jamberoo NSW 2533, Australia
Contact: +61 2 4236 0469 | Website
6. Surf or swim at Seven Mile Beach National Park
Seven Mile Beach is one of our favourite beaches in the area as there is so much to do! Whether you’re into fishing, swimming, surfing, picnicking or walking, you’re guaranteed a great day! If you’ve never surfed before, you could even book a private lesson. There are two local surf schools in area, Surf Camp Australia and Gerringong Surf School who offer lessons to kids aged 4 and up. So if your little ones are a little adventurous, you could give them the thrill of a surfing lesson on paradise Seven Mile Beach.
Location: Gerroa and Shoalhaven Heads, Australia
More information on Seven Mile Beach
7. Berry Treat Factory
Berry is one of our favourite towns in the area because of the great food, gorgeous wineries, cute shops and it’s surrounded by beautiful landscape. Soooo we love going there, but how do we entertain the kids? Well, there is one very clear option, two words that will make any kid get just a little bit (over)excited: Treat Factory. The Berry Treat Factory produces hundreds of varieties of jams, marmalades, chutneys, pickles, sauces and more. While this is great for you, the kids will love the handcrafted Belgian chocolates, an abundance of fudges, lollies and old fashioned sweets like rocky road and peanut brittle! Berry Treat Factory is a 20 minute drive from Nova Kiama.
Location: LOT 1 Old Creamery Ln, Berry NSW 2535, Australia
Contact: +61 2 4464 1112 | Website
8. Gerringong Boat Harbour Pool
Gerringong’s beautiful ocean rock pool is one of the best kept secrets in the region, a spot only the locals know about. Perfect for swimming and paddling, a safe place for you to take the little ones for a dip and enjoy the refreshing ocean breeze during the summer months. Make sure to check the tides as the water level might be higher on big swell days. You can access the pool via Jupiter Street, it’s only a short walk from the boat ramp. Best way to get to the Boat Harbour Pool from our hotel is by car, it takes a bit over 10 minutes. There are a few other rock pools in the Kiama area. Read our blog “Kiama’s Best Rock Pools For Swimming” to learn more.
Location: Jupiter Street, Gerringong NSW 2534, Australia
More information on Gerringong’s Boat Harbour Pool
We hope you’ve enjoyed our blog on top 8 things to do with kids in and around Kiama. Whether you’re looking for an active family holiday or a relaxing getaway, Kiama has plenty of options.
Planning a trip to Kiama? Check out our brand new Kiama hotel accommodation, including our family rooms. Already booked with us? Please ask our friendly staff for additional recommendations on arrival to enjoy your time in Kiama to the fullest.