Heading south of Sydney and wondering what are the best Kiama beaches? You’ve come to the right place with our detailed beach lovers guide!
The New South Wales south coast is known for having some of the best beaches in the entire country.
With kilometre after kilometre of glistening white sand, shimmering clear seas and jagged rocky coastlines and just 2 hours south of Sydney, there’s little wonder that the NSW South Coast has become a major tourist destination in recent years, perfect for a family holiday or mates trip away.
One of our personal favourite places to visit on the south coast is the pretty town of Kiama and nearby Gerringong, home to rolling beaches that’ll take your breath away.
During our van life trip around Australia we parked up in Kiama for over a week and spent every day exploring all the top Kiama beaches we could find so we could bring you this article.
With so many gorgeous spots to choose from, it can be difficult narrowing down to just a handful to visit if you’re on a tight schedule.
It all depends on what you’re looking for. Staying in one of downtown Kiama’s accommodation options? You’ll probably end up at Kendalls. Want to get some surfing in? Jones Beach is the place to be.
Want to explore a beach near the famous Kiama Blowhole? Check out Black Beach.
Or could walk the entire 20km Kiama Coast Walk and visit all of them if you are super keen.
From Minnamurra River to Werri Beach and Seven Mile Beach and everything in between, you really are spoilt for choice down here on the south coast.
Before you dive into the article we recommend you check out our other comprehensive guide to the best things to do in Kiama for some other ideas of attractions, activities and places to visit.
Table of Contents
The Best Kiama Beaches – Our Guide to the Top Coastal Spots
This New South Wales coastal town may be most well known for the Kiama Blowhole, but the beaches are definitely worth checking out as well.
Without further ado, let’s get into our expert ocean guide to the best beaches in Kiama, Gerringong and Gerroa, starting from north to south.
Minnamurra Beach
This is the northernmost beach on the Kiama Coast Walk, right next to the Minnamurra River. It’s often referred to as ‘Mystic’s with its rocky headland.
This finger sharped beach is another great surf beach with the swell coming from the south providing a solid break.
Behind the inlet is the Minnamurra River and Boyds Beach. Here you can get a good look at Rangoon Island (Stack Island) which was named after a shipwreck in the 1870s.
Head up to the headland cliffs to get a great view of the seabirds on the island.
Jones Beach
As you make your way down the New South Wales south coast towards Kiama, the next place you’ll get to is Jones Beach.
A beautiful, long and dog-friendly beach just past the Minnamurra River, it’s a perfect place to stretch the legs before you head further south.
If you’re into surfing it’s home to a great great surf break at the north end, with views of the headlands in the background.
The natural attractions on the coastline are stunning to see, with volcanic rocks which have eroded over the years and formed unique patterns.
READ MORE: We’ve put together the ultimate list to the best places to visit in Australia! Did your favourite make the cut?
You can discover the magnificent Cathedral Cave from Cliff Drive, or park at Jones Beach and walk down to the south end and you can see Cathedral Rock, which is one of the most popular sunrise photography spots in Kiama.
Once you get to the end, follow the rocky headland around the corner and you will see the cave. Just be careful of the tides and rough seas on the south coast.
The Boneyard
This is a secluded beach that can be accessed by foot or bike along the Kiama Coastal Trail, or by parking at the nearby Boneyard carpark.
This is a great beach for picnics, snorkelling and stand-up paddle boarding as it is pretty sheltered.
This beach is mostly rocky, with little sand, but the rocks help break up the waves and this is why it is a great spot for snorkelling and swimming.
Bombo Beach
Bombo Beach is one of the most scenic in Kiama, with the sand stretching for over a kilometre and is very popular with surfers.
It does have strong rips though, so be very careful about swimming here.
If you have a dog, this off-leash beach can be the place your furry friend burns off steam.
Do not miss the Bombo Quarry Headlands just up around the corner on the walking path past the toilet block.
Black Beach
Just north past the Kiama Blowhole around from Pheasant Point, Black Beach got its name because of the colour of the basalt and cobbled shore.
It’s home to the famous Kiama ocean pool and has lots of seating areas to enjoy a picnic.
For the kids (and adults), there are also a bunch of games to enjoy, and Kiama Seaside Markets are held here on the third Sunday of every month.
It’s a top spot for families on holiday, and can be visited as a nice coastline walk from the Kiama Blowhole and Lighthouse.
Surf Beach
With a name like this, is it any wonder that this is the main surf beach in Kiama? If you are looking to catch some waves, this is the spot for you.
Located between Kendalls Beach, Kiama and the Kiama Lighthouse, it’s a great place to stop by even if you’re not looking to go for a surf.
Besides some small swimming sections, you can also take advantage of the volleyball nets or simply kick back and watch the world go by. There are also toilets in case you need to go.
It is close to Kiama’s downtown area so it’s very easy to get to while visiting the NSW South Coast.
Kendalls Beach
Kendalls is another one of the best beaches in Kiama and really is a magical gem. Seriously, no trip to the South Coast is complete without checking out Kendalls Beach, Kiama!
Bookmarked with two beautiful headlands, the beach has quite a few picnic tables to sit around and enjoy a meal and glass of wine.
It’s also very popular for bodyboarders, so don’t be surprised if you see a bunch of them out at the southern end of the beach.
It is smaller compared to Kiama’s other beaches, and a bit more protected from the wind and swell.
From here you can walk around the point to both the Big Blowhole and Little Blowhole, as Kendalls Beach is located right in the middle of the two.
Easts Beach
Easts Beach is a stunning spot at the southern end of Kiama. You can access it by car or by walking or riding along the Kiama Coastal Trail.
Walk along the beach to Munna Munnora Creek where you can take in the tranquil coastline.
This is a great spot to bring the little kiddies to splash around as the sea is very calm.
The name of the beach comes from the owners of the caravan park that is located there, which has been open since 1841.
It’s not private though, and the public can head there it by parking on Ocean Road, Marsden Street or Tingira Avenue and walking down.
READ MORE: Keep heading south and check out all the incredible things to do in Jervis Bay!
Werri Beach
Werri Beach is the southernmost beach on the Kiama Coastal Trail. It is a great surfing beach, located in Gerringong, with a few calmer spots for swimming too.
If you’d rather stay in ‘Gerro’ (as it’s known to locals) than Kiama, then you’ll probably end up spending a fair bit of time at Werri Beach.
But even if you’re not, it’s worth jumping in the car and heading down, or walk there from the coast if you’re feeling active.
Not a surfer? No worries! It’s still worth hanging out at Werri Beach and watching them carve up the point break swell.
Keep Going South to Seven Mile Beach
Ok, this is actually in the village of Gerroa (south past Gerringong), but it’s still worthy of a mention on our guide to the best beaches in Kiama.
Stretching for, you guessed it, seven miles (10km), Seven Mile Beach is up there with Werri Beach when it comes to pure beauty.
At the northern headland, Black Head Reserve, you have spectacular views looking all the way down the south coast, and at the southern end you’ll land in Shoalhaven Heads.
This really makes Seven Mile Beach one of the best beaches on the NSW south coast, even if it’s not close to Kiama’s central town.
Do You have Any Recommendations for Other Beaches in Kiama?
That’s it for our guide to the most beautiful Kiama beach locations on the NSW south coast. The Kiama coastal walk is really a great way to see a lot of these stunning beaches.
From Minnamurra Beach all the way down to Seven Mile Beach, you really can’t go wrong with any of these fantastic ocean destinations. The NSW south coast is such a beautiful area to discover.
Let us know in the comments below if we have missed any beaches that you think we should add to the list.
