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A guide to the Kiama Coast Walk: from Gerringong to Kiama

Credit: Destination NSW

Roxanne Andrews Roxanne Andrews
Strolling along the Kiama Coast Walk with the rolling waves and the fresh sea breeze filtering in really is the best feeling.

Hidden beaches, ancient rock formations, panoramic vistas, ocean blowholes and languid lagoons. It’s all waiting for you on the Kiama Coast Walk. There are three well-maintained sections to explore, suitable for most fitness levels. Take your lover, go with a mate, step out solo, or even bring the pooch along.

The Route

Couple enjoying a walk along the Kiama Coastal Walk on the South Coast
Traverse the stunning beach path along Kiama. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Stretching 20 kilometres from Kiama to Gerringong, the Kiama Coast Walk features dramatic seaside views, windswept headlands, and a stunning collection of picturesque beaches. The track is divided into three main sections, meaning you can make a day of it and gently hike for six to seven hours from start to end or keep a leisurely pace along your preferred walkway. There are ample places to stop and refuel too (try one of our recommended cafes).

North Section: Minnamurra River to Blowhole Point

Distance: 8.5 kilometres
Time: three hours

Bombo Quarry along the kiama coast walk
Hop your way through the basalt formations at Bombo Quarry. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Park your car (for free) at the start of the Minnamurra River, aka Kiama Downs as the locals like to call it and begin your walk south.

Sightseeing highlights include: the heritage-listed Bombo Quarry with its spectacular basalt formations jutting up from the ocean floor, the dramatic volcanic structures that form Cathedral Rocks and the famous Kiama Blowhole. If you’ve had enough beauty for one day, stroll back the way you came or catch the train from Kiama station to Minnamurra.

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Mid Section: Blowhole Point to Loves Bay

Distance: Five kilometres
Time: 1.5 hours

Scenic coastal views from Kendalls Beach, Kiama
Soak up scenic views from Kendalls Beach. (Credit: Mark Fitzpatrick; Destination NSW)

This is the shortest section of the Kiama Coast Walk and is suitable for those seeking a casual amble by the sea as opposed to a full-tilt, all-day hiking itinerary. Watch the surfers ride ‘The Wedge’ break before you head on down to the calm waters of Kendalls Beach for a swim. Kiama’s Little Blowhole is a gorgeous place to catch your breath, break for a rest and admire the scenery. Keep in mind that the Easts Beach stretch is a terrific family-friendly (seasonally patrolled) Kiama holiday zone.

South Section: Loves Bay to Werri Beach

Distance: Six kilometres
Time: Two hours

Scenic aerial overlooking Werri Beach, Kiama
Feel the sand beneath your toes at Werri Beach. (Credit: Mark Fitzpatrick; Destination NSW)

Beginning at Loves Bay (parking available on Elanora Road), the South Section is more popular with Gerringong residents. Approximately two hours into the walk, you’ll come across Werri Lagoon; it’s an angler’s paradise, so why not drop a line and see if you can catch a fish for tea? Didn’t hook anything? No problems, stay and have a feed at a nearby cafe, return and complete the walking track loop or charge ahead to Gerringong and train it home to Kiama.

Highlights

cathedral rocks in kiama
Catch the sunrise at Cathedral Rocks. (Credit: Tourism Australia)
sunrise at Cathedral Rocks, Kiama
Catch the sunrise at Cathedral Rocks. (Image: Tourism Australia)

There are many natural attractions on the Kiama Coast Walk. If you find time to see them all, that’s ace, but if you need to prioritise your time, be sure to put the following unmissable highlights on your list asap: Mystic Beach, Cathedral Rocks, the Kiama Blowhole and the ocean pool at South Werri Beach.

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How to make a day of it

aerial of Blowhole Point Rock Pool in kiama
There are plenty of beaches and ocean pools to take a dip in. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Be prepared: sunscreen (an ocean-friendly brand is best), a hat, comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of H20 are musts. Depending on how far you plan on trekking, you might want to pack some nourishing snacks too. Oh, and swimmers, don’t forget those because there are plenty of lovely spots on the Kiama Coast Walk to stop for a dip and cool off.

Hints: if you select the North Section for your walking adventure, we recommend wrapping up your hike with a refreshing beverage at the 19th hole aka the clubhouse at the Kiama Golf Course. Always keep your camera ready when traversing the Mid Section too; it’s here you can visit the Pilot’s Cottage Museum and take a few snapshots of history. Are you an early bird catches the worm type of person? If so, start your day at the South Section; the whale-watching platform is a beautiful place to watch the sunrise and enjoy a pre-packed breaky.

Things to know before you go

Pilot's Cottage Museum
Step into Kiama’s rich historical heritage at Pilot’s Cottage Museum.

Dogs are allowed (on leash, please) for most of the Kiama to Gerringong walk, and there are even a few pet-friendly beaches (with off-leash areas) along the way too. Certain sections of the walk are bicycle-friendly, and there are well-maintained facilities such as free beachside BBQs, viewing platforms and drinking fountains located at many points of the walk for visitors to enjoy.

The Wodi Wodi are the First Nations custodians of the Illawarra region, and many areas around Kiama, Gerringong and Bombo were considered good sources of “ochre" — a deep orange clay used for Indigenous ceremonies.

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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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8 reasons Cronulla is the talk of the town right now

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    A national beach title, a new entertainment precinct and a run of headline restaurant openings have put this Sydney suburb on everyone’s radar. Here are eight of the best reasons to spend a long weekend in Cronulla.

    Cronulla has spent the past year becoming one of Australia’s most talked-about coastal destinations. Its beaches picked up the title of Australia’s Best Beach for 2026, the town centre is now the state’s first beachside Special Entertainment Precinct, and it’s still the only Sydney beach you can reach by train.

    Add a wave of excellent new bars and restaurants and two national parks on its doorstep, and it’s easy to understand why locals wax lyrical about the lifestyle.

    1. The new wining and dining scene

    table spread at isora cronulla
    Try Thai, Korean and Japanese flavours at Isora.

    Chef Nelly Robinson has set up NOA just metres from the sand, and it includes a formal room for long lunches, plus Little NOA, a low-key terrace doing burgers and cocktails. Down the strip, Retro fuses a Mexico City cantina with an unlikely sideline: pizzas on a 48-hour fermented dough, backed by the Shire’s most extensive tequila list. At Checho’s, cocktails arrive in ceramic handbags and the pops of pink neon match the mood. Isora is another newcomer and skewed towards Asia, with dishes that rely on Thai, Korean and Japanese flavours. While Bobbys is one of the best waterfront restaurants in Cronulla, its sister venue, Meadow, is the new music room we didn’t know we needed. It’s cool and sleek, kitted out with excellent audio equipment and a roster of DJs on the decks.

    2. Local favourites

    Homer Rogue Taverna cronulla
    Follow the locals to Homer Rogue Taverna. (Credit: Trent van der Jagt)

    Follow the locals home from the beach to Homer Rogue Taverna, where Harry and Mario Kapoulas draw from mum’s own recipe book – moussaka, charcoal chicken off the souvla. Duke’s Providore flips from butcher-counter deli by day to an intimate wine bar after dark, and Parc Pavilion’s new pub complex covers everything from a casual bistro to a proper sports bar under one roof. Benny’s looks over Gunnamatta Bay, where the signature barra arrives in a bag with clams and cherry tomatoes, while Alphabet St has long paired its signature Apple Martini with modern Asian share plates. At family-run Queen Margherita of Savoy, the vibes are always high and the Neapolitan-style pizza lives up to its reputation as the suburb’s best.

    There are also endless options for an introduction to Cronulla’s cafe culture. Start by ordering a brew at places like Grind Espresso, Next Door, Blackwood Pantry and The Press.

    3. Winning beaches

    Bate Bay in the Sutherland Shire was named Australia’s best beach for 2026. (Credit: Taylah Darnell)

    The best beach title didn’t come from nowhere. Cronulla’s beaches and ocean pools remain some of Sydney’s most photographed, pulling swimmers, surfers and photographers back year after year. The award covers several spots along Bate Bay, including four ocean pools and the Gunnamatta Bay Baths. Follow the Esplanade from Cronulla Beach, then on to Shelly Park, where an ocean pool sits beside a grassy park and fenced playground.

    4. A surf culture to match

    sufers in cronulla nsw
    Watch the local surfers, or join in.

    Life in Cronulla revolves around the ocean. Local surfers are in the water before work, wriggling into their wetsuits. Others are swimming around Shark Island or doing the downward dog at Sunrise Yoga. In the warmer months, many are putting a full stop on the day with a quick dip at dusk. Wander the Esplanade under a wide, blue sky, and you’ll understand why Cronulla deserves the its accolades. Groups like the Shark Island Psycho Swimmers (SIPS) swim all through winter, and the beachside cafes fill with these fit folk still dripping wet and salty from the surf.

    5. A ferry ride to Bundeena

    The Coast Track, Royal National Park
    Royal National Park is the world’s second-oldest national park. (Credit: J Spencer / DCCEEW)

    For a change of pace, base yourself in Cronulla and take the short ferry across to Bundeena. While it’s only a day trip from Cronulla, it feels like you’ve left Sydney behind entirely, without ever getting in a car.

    Time your visit to coincide with the monthly art trail. Or paddle into the calm water of Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. The boho suburb is the gateway to the walking tracks of the Royal National Park – the second oldest national park in the world and the oldest in Australia. It’s worth the jaunt along Jibbon Beach to see the Jibbon Head Aboriginal Engravings, an ancient Dharawal rock art site located on a sandstone platform near Bundeena in the Royal National Park.

    6. Explore Kamay Botany Bay National Park

    Sandstone cliff walls lining the Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell
    Wander over impressive sandstone clifftops. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Prefer to stay on this side of the water? The Kurnell side of Kamay Botany Bay National Park sits just beyond Cronulla’s beaches – its coastal walking trails leading out to Cape Solander, where watching the waves crash against the soaring sandstone cliffs is as dramatic as seeing whales breaching during the annual migration season.

    There’s history here too, layered into the landscape. The Cape Baily walking track snakes along the clifftops to the 1950 lighthouse, passing through heathland that is brightened with pops of pretty wildflowers during spring. Set off early, in the cool light of dawn, to make the trek from Cape Solander to Cronulla along a well-used walking track.

    7. Stay the night (or several)

    Rydges Cronulla Beachside
    Peaple-watch from your balcony at Rydges Cronulla Beachside. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Accommodation in Cronulla ranges from cosy Airbnbs to full-service hotels. Rydges Cronulla Beachside has 84 rooms and suites, most with balconies over the beach or the Kingsway, plus a terrace bar, The Alley, right by the beach. And Quest Cronulla Beach has reopened after a full refurbishment with pet-friendly studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, each with its own kitchen and laundry. Guests can also use the outdoor pool, gym, sauna and spa. Quest Woolooware Bay is just one suburb back from Cronulla and near the Woolooware Bay Shared Pathway, which leads across the Captain Cook Bridge to Dolls Point.

    8. A vibrant events calendar

    the music venue with a live band setup at Brass Monkey Cronulla
    Check out Brass Monkey’s gig guide.

    Music lovers flock to the Cronulla Jazz and Blues Festival, which happens every May. And there’s always something happening at the Brass Monkey, so be sure to check the gig guide for upcoming live acts.

    Lace up your runners and join in the Sutherland 2 Surf every July, or tackle the Shire Run Carnival every November.

    Pop into the Cronulla Christmas Market (in 2026, it’s on November 21-22) for over 200 stalls selling gift ideas for Christmas. Food lovers, meanwhile, can graze more than 30 international hot food stalls at Eat Drink Nights Cronulla.

    Bring the family along to two of the Shire’s favourite annual festivals. The Gymea Village Festival fills Gymea’s streets with rides, entertainment and market stalls every October, while the Jannali Moonrise Festival lights up November with live music, food and family-friendly fun.

    Yes, Cronulla officially has the best beach in Australia, a dining scene that holds its own against the city’s best and national parks on either side of it. But best of all, these attractions are all close enough together that you never have to choose between them.

    Start planning the ultimate Aussie getaway at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.