Things to do in Kiama in winter, with whales and waterfalls

Pack for mild days and cool nights

Winter on the Kiama coast is mild. The Bureau of Meteorology station on Bombo Headland, just north of town, has averaged highs of 17 to 18°C and lows of 10 to 11°C in June, July and August since 2001. Rain days drop as the season goes on, and August has the fewest of any month.

The wind on the headlands makes it feel colder than the numbers suggest, so bring a windproof jacket, a beanie for early starts and shoes with grip for wet rock. Destination Kiama describes the season as crisp coastal mornings, big ocean swells and misty escarpments. Our Kiama weather guide has the full year.

Watch humpbacks pass the headlands

Whale season is the main reason to come in winter. Destination Kiama says humpback and southern right whales pass the coast from about May to November. Humpbacks head north from late May to July, then return south, often mothers with calves, from September to November. Minke, sperm and blue whales turn up now and then.

You don't need a boat. Six free lookouts run along the coast between Minnamurra and Gerroa, and all of them are a short drive from Kiama Ridge Waters:

• Blowhole Point, Kiama: about 35 minutes' walk (2.8 km) or 5 minutes' drive. Destination Kiama says it's a good spot for southern right whales, which blow a sudden spray of vapour.
• Kiama Harbour: next to Blowhole Point. Destination Kiama says family groups of whales often come closer to shore here.
• Bombo Headland: a dog-friendly headland and beach on the north side of town.
• Minnamurra Whale Watching Platform: an elevated platform on Minnamurra Headland, beside the Minnamurra to Kiama walking track and cycleway. About 11 minutes' drive (8.7 km).
• Gerringong Whale Watching Platform: on the cliffs above Gerringong, reached from Belinda Street near the cemetery, about 9 minutes' drive (8.6 km). It's a five-minute walk into Gerringong for coffee.
• Black Head Reserve, Gerroa: a rocky outcrop with long views north and south, about 16 minutes' drive (12.6 km).

Whales can pass at any hour. Check NSW National Parks' Wild About Whales app for recent local sightings, bring binoculars, and look for a steeply arched back as a humpback dives. The Minnamurra and Gerringong platforms are both listed as not catering for people with access needs. Our whale watching in Kiama guide covers cruises and the rules for getting close on the water.

Drive up Saddleback Mountain on a clear morning

Saddleback Mountain Lookout is on Jack Cleary Memorial Drive, off Saddleback Mountain Road, about 6 km south-west of Kiama. From the apartments it's about a 10-minute drive (7 km). Kiama Council and Destination Kiama both say that on a clear day you can see from Cronulla in the north to Milton in the south.

Clear winter days suit it. There are two viewing platforms: a north-facing one by the main car park, and a southern one a little further up. Look out for the old dry stone walls along Saddleback Mountain Road on the way up. Destination Kiama counts nearly 400 historic dry stone walls in the municipality.

If you want a walk, Hoddles Track starts at the lookout car park and follows green marker posts west to Mt Noorinan. It's steep in places and gets slippery after rain, so wear proper shoes. Our Saddleback Mountain guide has more detail, and Kiama lookouts lists other viewpoints.

Walk a section of the Kiama Coast Walk

Cool days are good walking weather. The Kiama Coast Walk runs about 20 km from Minnamurra to Werri Beach at Gerringong, in three sections:

• North: Minnamurra River to Kiama Blowhole, 8.5 km, about 3 hours, medium grade. It passes the Minnamurra whale platform.
• Mid: Kiama Blowhole to Loves Bay, 6 km, about 1.5 hours, medium to hard.
• South: Loves Bay to Gerringong, 6 km, about 2 hours, medium to hard.

Every section runs along the headlands, so you can watch for whales as you go. Destination Kiama notes that weather can change conditions on the south section, so check the forecast and turn back if the track is muddy. Easts Beach is a 15-minute walk from the apartments and close to the mid section. For maps, train connections and where to start, see our Kiama Coast Walk guide.

Walk Minnamurra Rainforest after rain

Destination Kiama points winter visitors to the waterfalls and bushwalks of Budderoo National Park, and says Minnamurra Rainforest's waterfalls and gullies are at their fullest after rain.

Minnamurra Rainforest is about 25 minutes' drive (18 km) from Kiama Ridge Waters, at 345 Minnamurra Falls Road, Jamberoo. NSW National Parks lists the Rainforest Centre as open 9am to 4pm daily (closed Christmas Day) and the gates as open 9am to 5pm. Vehicle entry is $12 per day. The Lyrebird Loop takes about an hour and suits children, and the Minnamurra Falls walk leads to several platforms with waterfall and canyon views. Last access is 3pm for the waterfall walk and 4pm for the Lyrebird Loop.

The centre can close at short notice when the car park fills, so NPWS suggests visiting outside the 11am to 2pm peak. The old rainforest cafe is closed, but the centre sells hot drinks and light refreshments. Our Minnamurra Rainforest guide has the details.

Drive up the escarpment to Carrington Falls

Carrington Falls, in the same national park but up on the escarpment off Cloonty Road, drops more than 50 metres into the Kangaroo River. It's about 40 minutes' drive (33 km) from the apartments and has a car park, picnic area, toilets and an accessible track to a view of the falls. NPWS is running 1080 fox baiting around Carrington Falls and the Budderoo Plateau until 13 January 2027. The bait is lethal to dogs and cats, so leave pets at home. Check the Budderoo National Park alerts before either trip, as the park can close in severe weather.

Time your trip for the Kiama Winter Street Festival

Kiama's big winter event closes Terralong Street for a free afternoon and evening in July. The 2026 festival ran on Saturday 11 July from noon to 8pm, between Collins and Shoalhaven streets near Hindmarsh Park.

The 2026 program had live music on an open street stage, circus and fire shows, a silent disco, a climbing wall, street curling, a mechanical snowboard, a dog parade, lantern-making for kids and a sculpture walk from Hindmarsh Park to Kiama Harbour. Activities were free, with food and drink extra. Shops on Terralong, Collins and Manning streets stayed open late, and pubs and clubs ran kick-on sessions into the night.

Event parking was at the Kiama Leisure Centre with a free shuttle, and organisers warned that taxis and rideshare were limited. Hindmarsh Park is about a 33-minute walk (2.7 km) from Kiama Ridge Waters. Watch Destination Kiama's festival page for 2027 dates, and see our Kiama events guide for the rest of the calendar.

Warm up over lunch at a winery or an old pub

A long lunch is a good way to end a cold morning on the headlands.

Crooked River Estate at 11 Willowvale Road, Gerringong, about 10 minutes' drive south, runs its cellar door Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30am, with Kick Back Fridays until 9pm. A guided tasting of six estate-grown wines is $20 per person, including a $10 cellar door credit. Its River restaurant takes bookings online. Destination Kiama also points winter visitors to a tasting at the historic Coolangatta Estate and to Stoic Brewing, whose Kiama Winter Pale Ale was poured at the 2026 festival. See wineries near Kiama for more cellar doors.

In town, the Grand Hotel at 49 Manning Street has been pouring since 1891. Its bistro is open from 11.30am daily, and it lists live music on Friday nights from 7pm. It's about a 25-minute walk (2.1 km) from the apartments. Inland, the Jamberoo Pub is 14 minutes' drive (11 km) away on Allowrie Street. It has a bistro using local produce, live music on some Sunday afternoons, and a room honouring Johnny Warren, the former Socceroo who lived in Jamberoo. It pairs well with Minnamurra Rainforest on the same day. Our Kiama pubs guide covers the rest. Hours change, so check before you go.

Shop the markets and the town centre

The markets keep running through winter. The Kiama Farmers' Market is on every Wednesday afternoon on Manning Street, from 2pm. The Kiama Seaside Markets set up at Black Beach Reserve from 9am on the third Sunday of each month. Our Kiama markets guide lists Gerringong and Jamberoo markets too.

Destination Kiama's winter list also includes local shops such as The Collective Beat, The Sea & Beau, Bombo Clothing Co and Toyworld Kiama, plus exhibitions at the Old Fire Station Kiama. If the weather turns, our rainy day things to do in Kiama guide has the indoor pool, museums and galleries.

Base yourself somewhere warm

Come back from the headlands to a warm apartment at Kiama Ridge Waters. Each of the three-bedroom apartments at 2 Surfleet Place has ducted heating and cooling, a full kitchen with an oven and gas cooktop, a dining table for six, and a laundry with a washer and dryer for wet walking gear, plus a covered balcony and a barbecue.

Pets are welcome in most of our apartments, with a $200 cleaning fee, which suits a winter walk on dog-friendly Bombo Headland. Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is by 10am. Kendalls Beach is 16 minutes' walk away and Kiama station about 27 minutes on foot. See the apartments, the pet-friendly stays or check winter dates on the booking page.