Kiama Things to Do

I've heard that this hole can really blow, but it wasn't doing that much today. It takes precise timing to get the right pictures, because if you wait until the WHOMP, you've already missed your shot!

"Oh, a wondrous bird is the pelican!
His bill holds more than his belican.
He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week.
But I'm darned if I know how the helican."
Dixon Lanier Merritt
(1879-1972)

These huge black and white birds with pale pink bills and pouches are one of only 7 or 8 species of pelicans worldwide (internet resources disagree on how many). The Pelicanus conspicillatus, or spectacled pelican, has a wingspan of about 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 m, and it's nearly 2 meters long. They are generally seen all over Australia, as well in other areas of the Pacific.

There is a pelican statue at the harbour area on the north side of Blowhole Point in Kiama, dedicated to a dead pelican who was found to have several plastic bags in its stomach.

The message? Dispose of litter properly, and realize that many animals/birds who live in/around the water are attracted to plastics, which appear to them to be their natural foods. Inevitably plastics cause fatalities once ingested.... or even strangulation if looped around necks, etc.

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BERRY dates back to the early 1800’s. It’s a small historical Town, set amongst stunning scenery, with nearby rolling green hills with Dairy cattle, and the backdrop of the Cambewarrra range makes this a beautiful area to visit.

The town is now known for its boutique shopping and Cafes, and on the outskirts of town are boutique Wineries.

The drive between Berry & Kiama is particularly beautiful. Take the time to do the drive, it is not far from Sydney.

WHERE….2 hours drive south of Sydney on the Princes Highway.
OR….You can catch a Train

You must walk down to see the blow hole... but do be careful. There were people wandering beyond the warning signs and they were just asking for trouble. The blow hole was quite spectacular as it was.. and there was an immense variety of people visiting it.

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This is a MUST SEE when in Kiama. It is best to visit at high tide, and when the sea is running from the south east.

On the 1st day we visited this phenomenon, the sea was very calm and the Blowhole was not doing anything. During the night, strong wind and rain came, and in the morning it was high tide and the seas were very rough.

We went to the Blowhole again, and what an amazing show it was putting on. If was like the geyser “Old Faithful” in the USA, some sprays were so high that I couldn’t fit them in my photo. The Waves that roar through the cave and then explode through a hole in the cave-roof can be as high as 60 metres. The site is floodlit until 9.30 pm.

This is the 3rd time I have viewed the Blowhole, and the best by far, and the worst weather by far!

LOCATION Then end of Blowhole Point road, below the Kiama Lighthouse. There is plenty of FREE PARKING.

FREE!

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This is a rock formation that is meant to resemble a Cathedral, I will leave it up to your imagination!
Nice ocean views and you can clamber down to the Cathedral.

At the headland there are unusual balsalt walls and columns caused by metal quarrying in the 1880’s to 1900’s.
There are nice views from here of Kiama, Cathedral Rocks, Minnamurra Headland & Jones Beach.

LOCATION…… Kiama Downs ( 3ks north of Kiama)….. southern end of Jones Beach, view from Cliff Drive.
It is signposted with Brown Tourist signs.

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As I said on my previous tip, the Blowhole is a must visit. Well, just don't look at that, then go away, walk right to the end, this is where the sea forces itself through a narrow channel and comes out the Blowhole.
On a stormy, wet, rough and windy day like when I was there, the sea was like a boiling cauldron. No way would you want to fall in!

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They call this Blowhole “The Big Blowhole’s little cousin”
Located at the bottom of a nice park, with off – road parking available, it is best to visit when the seas are from the north-east. It wasn't doing anything, as the day I visited the sea was very calm.

A small version of the large Kiama Blowhole.

It is signposted with Brown Tourist signs.

FREE