Top Towns for 2022: How Kiama became the NSW South Coast's best town

Why Kiama is a summer hotspot

The town of Kiama has stood in silent witness to the famed Sydney summer holiday exodus (similar to Africa’s mass migration of wildebeest only with SUVs and boogie boards) for decades. A scenic two-hour drive from the city centre, the town is at the top of ‘must-book’ lists year in and year out.

Aerial overlooking Kiama Blowhole Point, Kiama.

Kiama is a scenic two-hour drive from Sydney. (Image: Destination NSW)

But while other coastal hotspots have suffered from such adoration, with high-rise developments and smashed avo holiday price hikes, Kiama has retained a laid-back aura and sunny disposition reminiscent of the sun-bleached halcyon days of the ’70s and ’80s. Albeit with some seriously good cafes, bars and restaurants thrown in for good measure.

While the first arrivals here were the Dharawal people and the nomadic Wadi Wadi tribes, holidaymakers began arriving in earnest in the late 1800s, drawn by the salty sea air, the lush coastal countryside and the famed blowhole (the name of the town is derived from the Aboriginal word kiarama, meaning ‘the place where the sea makes a noise’).

Water plume spouting from the Kiama blowhole.

The Kiama blowhole is a must-see. (Image: Destination NSW)

It’s a town for the whole family to enjoy

The experience remains largely unchanged even today, but Kiama has managed to add to its offering in a considered way, ensuring the essence of the town remains the same.

For visitors that translates to city-quality coffee served up from hole-in-the-wall cafes (choose from Little Earth Roasters, iv coffee, Diggies and the like) and destination eateries and bars where having sand between your toes is not looked down upon (try Penny Whistlers, Silica Restaurant and bookshop cum-bar Bouquiniste).

Aerial overlooking Blowhole Point Rock Pool, Kiama

Coastal walking tracks will take you to Blowhole Point. (Image: Destination NSW)

There are also the coastal walking tracks and unique experiences that allow access to nature without encroaching on it (set off on the 20-kilometre Kiama Coastal Walk that passes Minnamurra River, Cathedral Rocks, Bombo Beach, Blowhole Point and on to Gerringong’s Werri Beach; keep your eyes peeled during winter and spring for whales; hang out among the rainforest canopy at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures) and events like the annual Rugby World Class Sevens and KISS Arts Fest that imbue a convivial festival atmosphere.

And, of course, there’s always the allure of doing nothing more than hanging out on one of the area’s picturesque beaches, eating top-notch fish and chips on the sand with the ultimate water views, and catching a wave or two on those aforementioned boogie boards. It’s truly the stuff that classic summer holidays are made of.

Man enjoying the scenery and action at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures, Knights Hill in the Illawarra region of NSW.

Hang out among the rainforest canopy at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures. (Image: Destination NSW)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

A big little attraction

Absolutely everyone has stood in open-mouthed wonder at Kiama’s much-celebrated blowhole, where, when the conditions are just right, the swell is pushed up through the 2.5-metre hole in the rock ledge to create plumes of frothy white water that can reach up to 30 metres.

But not as many people know about the Little Blowhole, the mini-me version spectacular.

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

Top Towns for 2022: How Kiama became the NSW South Coast‘s best town

Why Kiama is a summer hotspot

It’s a town for the whole family to enjoy

A big little attraction

Explore more of Kiama in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.

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This stretch of Sydney beaches topped the annual Best Australian Beaches list

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.