The best Kiama accommodation for every holiday style

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A sleepy seaside town with jaw-dropping coastal vistas, Kiama in the NSW South Coast is renowned for good quality slow living. From its 20-kilometre coastal walk and nature-centred activities to a stellar coffee and dining scene, the laidback spot offers visitors the best of every world. Making life even sweeter is the array of Kiama accommodation up for grabs, running the spectrum from simple camping and facility loaded holiday parks to luxury lodgings with state-of-the-art tech and world-class views. Here, our favourites of the bunch to get you on your way sooner.

Hotels

1. THE SEBEL KIAMA

The Sebel Kiama from above
This contemporary accommodation is nestled in the heart of Kiama.

Best for: families and couples, equally

Blending heritage and modern architecture, The Sebel Kiama knocks together an unparalleled Kiama stay right by the water. Even better, it’s angled to both families (with packages that throw in tickets to Jamberoo Action Park) and loved-up duos (think complimentary sparkling wine and a cheese platter) so you can imagine how vast the room types prove. Eight individual hotel and apartment styles cover the lot, all decorated tasteful-coastal with stocked mini bars and, if you’re staying in a Deluxe Balcony room, harbour views. Elsewhere, Yves is the Kiama accommodation’s on-site restaurant, plating up local flavours and ingredients via internationally inspired dishes, plus signature cocktails including six unique martinis. Other inclusions span undercover parking, 24/7 reception assistance and a buffet breakfast.

Address: 2 Minnamurra St, Kiama

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2. NOVA KIAMA

an ocean-view room at Nova Kiama
Nova Kiama features modern family rooms.

Best for: families and corporates

Nova Kiama exudes that coveted coastal feel via warm service, hipster facilities and a swish design. We love the Kiama accommodation’s heated outdoor swimming pool and the “Nova Kombi" converted vehicle that offers coffee, drinks and snacks from 7am daily. There’s also a tight edit of gym equipment that’s available for use daily and Wi-Fi flows freely throughout the 32-room property. Ready to hit the hay? Choose from the Queen, Ocean View, Family (with bunk beds) or one-bedroom Executive suites, the latter of the bunch featuring a kitchenette for totally comfortable work-from-anywhere conditions.

Address: 31 Bong Bong St, Kiama

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3. BELLEVUE BOUTIQUE HOTEL

the Bellevue Boutique Hotel window shot
The charming boutique hotel exudes idyllic countryside vibes. (Image: Supplied)

Best for: bed-and-breakfast vibes

A restored 1890s boarding house is now home to the delightful Bellevue Boutique Hotel. With six unique suites – four premium and two deluxe – the Kiama accommodation provides fully self-contained lodgings with their own access to a wraparound veranda if you’re staying upstairs (otherwise there’s a lovely terrace). If you’re needing ample space, go for the Deluxe option due to its larger floor plans and separate bath and showers; however, all include air-conditioning, a smart TV, Wi-Fi, separate dining and living areas and fully operational kitchens and laundries.

Address: 21 Minnamurra St, Kiama

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4. PARK RIDGE RETREAT

a hotel room with a bed, chair and wine on the table at Park Ridge Retreat, Gerringong
Settle into a 4-star Gerringong hotel with your own private balcony. (Image: Park Ridge Retreat)

Best for: budget-conscious stays

Located just over a 10-minute drive from the centre of town, Park Ridge Retreat is a Gerringong hotel with an extremely attractive price tag. Offering 32 rooms from $169 per night, plus the capacity to bring your pet along with you, the hotel features various room styles including interconnecting stays making it all too tempting for other families to get on board. Decor-wise, muted colour palettes and simple furniture create calm spaces, plus there are private balconies, Wi-Fi, undercover car parking and a BBQ to lean into.

Address: 139 Belinda St, Gerringong

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5. MERCURE GERRINGONG RESORT

the standard king single room at Mercure Gerringong Resort
The award-winning Mercure Gerringong Resort boasts 52 spacious rooms.

Best for: couples

Another Gerringong hot spot that’s worth stepping a little outside of town for, Mercure Gerringong Resort is home to 52 rooms including Spa Suites so slick they were once used in episodes of Married at First Sight. Offering views of the region’s wetlands and lush hinterland, the accommodation also houses the seasonally led Bella Char Restaurant & Wine Bar, a homely space for a quality meal, plus there’s two swimming pools and a tennis court to enjoy.

Address: 1 Fern St, Gerringong

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Airbnbs and holiday homes

6. KIAMA BEACH HOUSE AIRBNB

dining with scenic views at Kiama Beach House
Take in spectacular views from your own private deck at Kiama Beach House.

Best for: serene views

Kiama Beach House is a classic Kiama holiday home that’s perfect for families thanks to a multitude of sleeping combinations. Housing up to eight guests, three bedrooms feature double beds and two of them also throw in a bunk bed, so you can twist and turn who’s sleeping where any which way. Walk from the backyard directly through to Easts Beach or enjoy Pacific Ocean views from the balcony. Even better, the Kiama accommodation garners consistent reviews from happy guests who adore its beachside location, fully equipped kitchen and entertaining areas.

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7. BLUEWATER APARTMENTS

the interior of Bluewater Apartments, Kiama accommodation
This picturesque boutique apartment is close to the main beach.

Best for: large groups who need separate rooms

Offering terrific beachside accommodation in Kiama, Bluewater Apartments is filled with 22 individual stays spanning studios, two-bedroom configurations and three-bedroom blow-outs. It’s close to the beach town’s much-adored attractions, like Kiama Blowhole, plus it’s an easy flat walk to some of the most acclaimed cafes and restaurants in town.

Address: 9 Bong Bong St, Kiama

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8. THE WERRI SHACK

a living room with a fireplace at The Werri Shack, Kiama accommodation
Make yourself at home next to the fireplace.

Best for: fur parents

The Werri Shack is a superb beach house located smack bang between the mountains and the sea. The two-level, pet-friendly Kiama accommodation (the yard is fully fenced, and there’s a nearby off-leash zone at Werri Beach) offers generous living areas and cool furnishings across three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Plus, there’s unlimited Wi-Fi, a PlayStation, table tennis and a rack to store your surfboard, proving they’ve really thought of everything.

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9. AMAROO

Best for: living the rich and famous lifestyle you deserve

Ready to step the decadence up a notch? Amaroo is a grand five-bedroom holiday home with all the bells and whistles. The Kiama accommodation, located just 10 minutes’ stroll from Easts Beach, sleeps up to eight guests with three bathrooms, a swimming pool with sun lounges and an adjacent games room filled with a lounge, pool table, dining table and barbecue. The cherry on top is how remote you’ll feel lounging in this place with water views stretching out to the horizon and green grass flowing right from the property to the water’s edge.

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10. BUNKER HOUSE

coastal views from the Bunker House, Kiama accommodation
Take in jaw-dropping coastal vistas at the oceanfront Bunker House.

Best for: Architecture nuts

While we’re going crazy, consider splashing out on Bunker House. An architecturally led marvel on a quiet, water-facing corner in Gerringong, the property is staggering from the outset. But wait until you step inside. Serving as a popular photo shoot location, the home features seven bedrooms, smart technology, three kitchens, three individual living areas, a mammoth deck with a barbecue, a heated pool, a steam room, a gym, a fireplace, four car spaces, indoor and outdoor fire pits and, unbelievably, it’s wheelchair accessible if you let the owners know in advance to make a few tweaks.

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Caravan parks and camping

11. KENDALLS ON THE BEACH HOLIDAY PARK

Best for: absolute beach frontage bragging rights

Kendalls on the Beach Holiday Park offers everything from a two-level, four-bedroom spa bath cabin to equally picturesque three-bedroom varieties and far simpler tent and caravan sites. If you’re sleeping outside of four walls, take advantage of the amenities block, a camp kitchen and free Wi-Fi, while visitors of all descriptions will appreciate the laundry, barbecue facilities and children’s playground.

Address: Bonaira St, Kiama

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12. SURF BEACH HOLIDAY PARK

Best for: families and budget-friendly bookings

Talk about prime position. Surf Beach Holiday Park peers directly over Kiama’s Main Beach, offering plenty of activities and spotless facilities including a camp kitchen, swimming pool, games room and kids’ playground. It’s a quiet location, about a 10-minute walk from the centre of town, plus it’s pet-friendly, so nobody’s left at home. Accommodation spans villas, bungalows and powered campsites. The Kiama accommodation is ideal for families looking to save a bit of coin for temptations outside of their digs.

Address: Bourroul St, Kiama

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13. CICADA

a look inside the safari-style tent at Cicada, Kiama accommodation
The safari-style tents at Cicada are a luxe lover’s dream. (Image: Destination NSW)

Best for: romance-chasing glamping addicts

Cicada is the region’s most-loved glamping option, located about five minutes from the centre of town and featuring those incredible dome-shaped stays typically reserved for Instagram. If you’re a sucker for newness, go for the Silver Knight or Tiger Prince Domes, launched in the first half of 2025, which feature breathtaking views across the bush, air-conditioning, private undercover decks, kitchens with gas barbecues, firepits and woodfired tubs to soak under the stars in. Other beautiful options within Cicada’s suite come in the way of safari tents (still with kitchenettes and outdoor baths, mind you) and bell tents.

Address: 127 Jerrara Rd, Jerrara

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Discover the best things to do in Kiama

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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Where to eat, sleep and visit on Grand Pacific Drive, and beyond

The ultimate road trip begins and ends on NSW’s stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

Whales, charming villages, fine wine and stunning natural vistas: there’s a lot to love about a road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales. Winding from the Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven before heading inland to the Southern Highlands, this scenic drive makes for an unforgettable road trip.

But like all great road trips, it’s not just about the drive but the stops made along the way. From incredible farm-to-plate (and grape-to-glass) dining options to unbeatable natural vistas and quaint towns with beautiful accommodation, there’s plenty to explore en route.

Shellharbour Marina
Spend time in Shellharbour Marina.

Where to eat

What is a road trip without incredible food? Whether you’re after fresh seafood, slow-cooked paddock-to-plate feasts or delicious wines, you’ll find something around every bend along Grand Pacific Drive.

Restaurant Santino is a local Wollongong secret we can’t keep quiet any longer. With a fresh take on Italian cuisine, servings are hearty and flavours are comforting. The chitarra with blue swimmer crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and crustacean oil is a crowd favourite.

Keep it local in Shellharbour with a menu all about fresh local produce at Relish on Addison . From South Coast oysters and blue swimmer crab linguine to crispy pork belly, surf and turf takes on an elevated meaning here.

Kiama’s neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar, Little Betty’s , is just as good for a tasty share plate as it is for creative cocktails. The signature Grilled Octopus with burnt honey, garlic confit and sautéed Asian greens is worth a trip on its own.

Only the best will do in Shoalhaven, where multi-award-winning Bangalay Dining uses native Australian ingredients to bring its dishes to life. Start with the Smoked trout croquette before moving on to the sautéed potato gnocchi. Don’t forget the white chocolate mousse for dessert.

Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands are full of culinary highlights. From dining on incredibly fresh, local fare (we’re talking ingredients plucked from the team’s on-site kitchen garden or sourced through local producers) at Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima to creating gin blends at Millsheds Distillery .

bangalay dining shoalhaven
Taste native flavours at Bangalay Dining.

Exploring nature

Scenery is everything when hitting the road, and Grand Pacific Drive serves it up in spades. Drivers don’t even have to leave the car to enjoy the iconic ocean views from Seacliff Bridge (but several lookouts make it easy to stop).

Seaside Kiama boasts stunning beaches and famous blowholes. But travellers can also swap ocean for rainforest when taking the Minnamurra Rainforest walk, culminating in a picturesque waterfall. Or soar overhead at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures .

The scenic coastal drive along Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton.
Cruise along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

Between May and November, 30,000 whales make their way passed the South Coast between May and November. Spot them from the coastal shores or join a whale-watching cruise from Shellharbour Marina or Jervis Bay. Dive in with Woebegone Freedive .

Shellharbour’s Killalea Regional Park is home to a traditional bush tucker and medicine walk with Aboriginal tour group, Gumaraa . Learn Indigenous healing practices and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and wisdom of the land’s Traditional Owners.

Wollongong is the perfect place for hikers, with the 6.5-kilometre Wodi Wodi track serving up views, settler history and a variety of landscapes in one loop. If you prefer, skip the walk and pull up at Bald Hill Lookout for expansive views south towards Wollongong (and a hang-glider or two).

For something truly unique, join the Highland Cow experience at The Swallow’s Nest in the Southern Highlands. In a brand-new offering, get a taste of farm life and help groom and feed these gorgeous creatures.

kiama coast walk people with dog
Wander the Kiama Coast Walk.

Unique experiences

No need to choose between an adrenaline rush or a culture fix, Grand Pacific Drive serves up both.

Soar into aviation history at Shellharbour’s HARS Aviation Museum .  Tour the museum, then join a guided walk onto the wing of the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747 and see the significant historic aircraft up close.

If ever there was a place to skydive, it’s in Wollongong. Dive from 15,000 feet (tandem, of course) with Sky Dive Wollongong and see the coastal beauty of this region from above.

Shoalhaven’s Bundanon Art Museum has to be one of the most unique offerings in the country. The legacy of artist Arthur Boyd and more than just a gallery, find eco-accommodation, fine dining, award-winning architecture and community here.

Kiama’s Crooked River Estate is about more than just delicious wine.  Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy casual food and drinks with live music at Kick Back Fridays , every week.

Between June and August, the Southern Highlands’ Robertson attracts novice truffle hunters. Join the hunt at family-owned and operated Robertson Truffles (alternatively, you can order truffle treats online, if your sense of adventure isn’t up for it).

Freshly dug truffles at Terra Preta Truffles, Braidwood.
Discover hidden gems beneath the soil in the Southern Highlands. (Image: Destination NSW)

Where to stay

Road trips are the ultimate promotion for slow travel, encouraging visitors to take their time, enjoy the journey and stop along the way to really immerse themselves in local towns.

Find history and elegance at Berida Hotel in the Southern Highlands. Intimately set amongst gardens, but still close to the main street of Bowral, this 1920s private residence turned boutique hotel is the perfect stay.

Stay in one of Barranca’s private villas with views of rolling farmland overlooking the dramatic escarpment at Kangaroo Valley or be surrounded by native bushland (a short walk from the beach) in Jervis Bay.

Speaking of beachside escapes, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach delivers unrivalled access to Wollongong’s beaches. These serviced apartments enjoy coastal views from spacious balconies.

For something completely different again, check in at Cicada Luxury Camping . Stay in safari-style or large bell tents, each with a private fire pit and top-notch kitchen facilities. Outside, enjoy spectacular countryside views.

Cicada Luxury Camping
Unwind at Cicada Luxury Camping. (Image: DNSW)

Discover more and plan your ultimate road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive and beyond at grandpacificdrive.com.au/grand.