Surfing Kiama
Kiama is one of New South Wales most beautiful coastal towns that has retained its charm of days gone by. The town centre is situated right on the foreshore with its wide streets dotted with historic buildings and shaded by mature trees.
The surrounding coastline is rugged and driving south of town the landscape opens up to the rolling green hills of dairy country, wineries and the town of Berry.
Waves for beginners can be found in and around Kiama & one of the best spots for learning to surf in Australia is located just a quick drive south of Gerringong at Seven Mile Beach.
Surfing Lessons
Culburra Beach Surf School
Culburra Beach
02 4447 3197
Getting There
Car
1.5 hours drive south from Sydney & 2.5 hours from Canberra.
Rail
CityRail (13 22 32) connects with Kiama town centre.
Bus
Greyhound (13 14 99) & Premier Motor Service link from all directions daily.
Airports
1.5 hours drive from Sydney Airport serviced by all major domestic & international airlines.
Airport transfers
Shoalhaven Shuttle, South Coast Shuttle, Jervis Bay Airport Express.
Car Hire
Renting a car or van is a great way to see & surf Kiama and the NSW South Coast. Hire a car or campervan.
Where To Sleep
Camping
Kendalls Beach Holiday Park, Kiama Harbour Cabins, Blowhole Point Holiday Park, Easts Beach Caravan Park, Werri Beach Holiday Park.
Holiday Parks in Kiama Region
Hotels & Holiday Homes in Kiama Region
Between Surf Sessions
What to see & do
Walk south from Loves Bay to Werri Beach along the coastal track (5 hours return). Anyone from the UK or the north of Spain will feel as though they are back home walking along the coastal cliffs, surrounded by rolling green hills that drop down into the sea.
Drive or jump on a train past beautiful dairy farms to the historic town of Berry (30 minutes). Boutique shops, antiques, crafts, plus good coffee & food is offered, along with some fine wineries close by.
Minnamurra Rainforest walk in Budderoo National Park provides a glimpse of how the local environment once was before being cleared for farming.
Where to eat & drink
The quaint town centre is home to some wonderful places to eat at the many good cafes & restaurants. For a drink and a chat with the locals head to the Kiama Inn Hotel.
No nightclubs here, so you will have to head up to Wollongong if you're up for a late night (35 minutes north). Remember, don't drink and drive.
Climate
Surf Spots for Beginners & Kids
Easts & Bombo Beaches close to town can have a wave with great options for beginner surfers found at the south end of Jones Beach (north of Bombo) and for one of the best learn to surf spots in Australia, drive south past Gerringong to Seven Mile Beach (Gerroa). Click on the landmarks on the map below.
Good To Know...
If there is swell, check out the Kiama Blowhole to see this famous spout of water spray up through a hole in the rocks. Stand too close and you'll get drenched.
Killalea or 'The Farm' as it is known is a National Surfing Reserve. On small surf days when the north east breeze is blowing, this can be a fun spot for surfing. The sandbar here is really broad, which makes paddling out to the line up a challenge at times. Either stay in the whitewater, or only head out into the line up when it's really small. This spot does get crowded, so finding a peak with fewer crowds is easier down the coast at the longer Seven Mile Beach. Enjoy this magic spot and please practise good surfing etiquette.
If the surf is big and the wind is up from the NE, head to Seven Mile Beach at Gerroa where you'll find plenty of space to practise surfing along this long and pristine beach. During big surf days, sticking to the whitewater is the best option here as paddling out the back past the waves that roll across the super broad sandbars can be impossible for anyone who is not paddle fit.
During massive south swells and strong south winds, the sheltered southern corner of Culburra Beach and the even more sheltered Currarong Beach near Nowra will have smaller and easier surfing conditions than the beaches around Kiama and at Seven Mile Beach.
Take some warm clothes for the evenings, as even in summer it can be surprisingly cool at night. In winter, rug up and bring a good long sleeved wetsuit (steamer).
Surf Shops
Zink Surf
Beach Street Surf Scene
In Surf
Natural Necessity Surf Shop
Boardom
Surfboard Repairers
Vokid Creations
Boardriders Club
Jones Beach Boardriders Club
Werri Beach Boardriders Club
Southbridge Boardriders Club