Rachel’s guidebook

Kiama township has four beaches. Bombo to the north of town, Surf Beach and Kendalls Beach in the middle of town and Easts Beach to the south. All beaches are patrolled in the summer. Kiama has two ocean pools, perched at either end of the harbour at Black Beach. They have stunning views and are great spots to laze away the day. Venture 15 minutes north of town to explore dog and kid-friendly Cathedral Rocks or paddle in the mouth of the Minnamurra River. If you would like to swim laps, the Kiama Leisure Centre has a 25 metre indoor heated pool. It is open daily until 8pm.

Check out open days at The Illawarra Light Railway Museum. On the second Sunday of each month, they fire up the steam train and everyone can travel old-school! There is also a kid's playground, picnic areas and a museum. Walk the rainforest walk at Minnamurra Falls. Just 15 minutes inland from Kiama, via Jamberoo. It is an accessible, paved walk suitable for children. Visit Jamberoo Action Park! But then your kids have probably already put that one on the list... Venturing further afield, drive 40 minutes south to Nowra and visit the wonderful Shoalhaven Zoo!

We would wake up early, trottle down the stairs from O'Keefe Place and wander along the coastal walk into town. This lovely walk winds around the clifftops, past Surf Beach and the Showground and end up at the Lighthouse and Blowhole. Make sure to check out how she is blowing! And then wander down the hill to the harbour, making sure to take time out for a quick dip in one of the ocean pools. Then breakfast! We recommend the coffee at bookshop cafe, Bouquiniste in the centre of town or wandering back home to Kendalls Beach and the Little Blow Hole for a decent brekky at the Little Earth Cafe.

Coastal walk from Minnamurra to Gerringong: If you have the time and legs, a great day out is to walk the entire length of the coastal walk. Start at the mouth of the Minnamurra River and walk all the way to Gerringong, through farmland and wild clifftops with spectacular views of the ocean the entire way. You can always catch the train back from Gerringong to the centre of Kiama! Walk or cycle the track from Jamberoo to Minnamurra: Another great walk or one for the bike! Start at either end and travel through dairy farms and mangroves beside the river. It is flat walk, accessible to most.

Kiama is home to three great bookshops! If you wander into the Kiama Centrepoint Arcade from either Terralong or Collins St you will find a second-hand bookstore, Jennie's Book Nook, with a huge selection of reading material and Bouquiniste, a small bookshop cafe with great coffee and snacks and a curated selection of new fiction and non-fiction. On Terralong St you will find The Bookshop Kiama, home to all new fiction and non-fiction with great summer reads, guides to the South Coast and a wonderful children's section.

Hidden upstairs in the Kiama Centrepoint Arcade, enter via either Terralong or Collins St, you will find an organic produce store with local fruit and veg and environmentally friendly products. Alternatively head along to the Kiama Farmer’s Markets every Wed afternoon from 2pm at Surf Beach.