A guide to the top Kiama caravan parks

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Pull your caravan into Kiama and set up camp for a relaxing but adventurous weekend.

When destiny calls, it’s often the coastal haven of Kiama that answers. Specifically, if you’re on an east coast road trip journey and you’re looking for the best Kiama caravan parks.

Whether you’re cruising in a motorhome, on a nomadic road trip with a car roof pop-up tent or seeking a great glamping place to lay your head, we’ve got you covered.

Surf Beach Holiday Park Kiama

Talk about prime position. Surf Beach Holiday Park  looks directly over Kiama’s Main Beach, offers plenty of activities and has spotless facilities including a fab camp kitchen.

kids having fun at the pool in Surf Beach Holiday Park Kiama
Kids will enjoy splashing around the pool.

It’s a quiet location, about a 10-minute walk from the centre of town and is also pet-friendly (conditions apply). It’s one the best caravan parks in Kiama and features spacious two-bedroom cabins which are great for families, cool campsites for stargazing antics, and ample space for your caravan too.

two kids on the balcony gazing at the ocean view in Surf Beach Holiday Park Kiama
Soak up ocean views from your balcony at Surf Beach Holiday Park Kiama.

Kendalls on the Beach

Kendalls on the Beach , yes please. The team at Big 4 Holidays Parks sure knows how to cater for everyone.

There are great Kiama accommodation options for all types of travellers here. We love the powered caravan sites with ensuite facilities and the aptly named Ocean View Loft with the double-storey layout, ideal for an upstairs parents’ retreat.

an overhead shot of Kendalls on the Beach, Kiama
Have a splendid time with your family at Kendalls on the Beach. (Image: NEG photography)

Sunny’s Aquaventure Park is great for the kids and there are seasonal family-friendly activities throughout the year. Note: this park is easy to navigate for those seeking an accessible caravan park in Kiama.

an aerial view of Kendalls on the Beach, Kiama
Pull your vehicle over the majestic Kendalls on the Beach. (Image: NEG photography)

7 Mile Beach Holiday Park

This spectacular holiday park  is just outside (approx. 15-minute drive) from Kiama. You’ll find it between the northern end of magical Seven Mile Beach and the calm waters of Crooked River – which is a top spot for swimming and kayaking.

Glamping, camping and caravan sites sit alongside the forest backdrop of Seven Mile Beach National Park. Immaculate amenities, pet-friendly premises, BBQs, a swimming pool and a tennis court are all yours.

Travel hint: Crooked River Winery is close by if you’re in the mood for a wine tasting or just swing by and pick up a few bottles of vino to keep at your campsite.

Werri Beach Holiday Park

Beautiful Werri Beach is buffered by two headlands at each end, one has enchanting rock pools to explore and swim in and the other has a natural lagoon. This area is famous for fishing and surfing and Werri Beach Holiday Park  is the perfect base for people who love marine-based activities.

There are grass and concrete caravan and campsites here and the park has excellent facilities and amenities such as a tennis court, a camp kitchen, a playground, an inflatable jumping pillow (kids love this one) and a resort-style swimming pool.

Kiama Harbour Cabins

Perched on Blowhole Point these coveted cabins book out quickly in the holiday season. But, even when it’s ‘busy’ this place maintains a peaceful, easy feeling.

The superb position of Kiama Harbour Cabins overlooking the Pacific Ocean makes a great vantage point for whale watching. Be sure to enjoy the nearby Kiama Lighthouse walk and stroll into town for gourmet supplies – then cook up in your self-contained kitchen and tuck in on your seaside balcony.

It’s a truly blissful experience complete with colourful birdlife and native gardens. Bonus points for its close proximity to the Kiama rockpools for swimming. Add it to the bucket list.

Killalea Camp Ground

Set up camp at the best bush-style caravan park near Kiama. Nestled in the subtropical rainforest, Killalea Camp Ground is the ideal base if you want to (and trust us, you do) head to the hills and explore Minnamurra Falls.

lush greenery at Killalea Camp Ground
Be at the centre of an idyllic nature and beach landscape at Killalea Camp Ground.

It’s also super close (just a short walk) to famed Kiama surf breaks such as the Farm and Mystics. You literally have the best of both the bush and beach worlds here.

This idyllic Aussie campground in Killalea Regional Park (between Kiama and Shellharbour) offers plenty of shady sites to pull up the caravan or pitch a tent and spend a few nights. It’s an affordable option for those keeping an eye on the hip pocket too.

the nearby beach at Killalea Camp Ground, Kiama
Set up your tent on the beach at Killalea Camp Ground.
Roxanne Andrews
Roxanne Andrews is a freelance travel writer and editor based in Yamba, Australia. Topics of expertise include; sports tourism, luxury travel, arts & culture, cuisine & dining, wellness, the adventure sector and all things marine. A professional scribe who occasionally goes gonzo to capture the moment.
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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.