Illawarra

Kiama, Gerringong and Gerroa

Only an hour and a half south of Sydney brings you to an area of lush green pastures, spectacular cliffs along the seaside and almost a dozen fabulous beaches.

Kiama itself is a vibrant historic town with many landmark buildings. A great spot to wander for the day or to catch a bite to eat.

Top 5 things to do and see

Minnamurra Rainforest

The Minnamurra Rainforest is near Jamberoo, around 15 minutes drive from Kiama. There is a 1.6km boardwalk which takes you through the subtropical landscape where you can see huge ancient fig trees, massive ferns and native lyrebirds. A part of this walk is wheelchair friendly, and it’s suitable for kids through to seniors if you just take it slowly as it’s lovely and shady. There is a longer, steeper walk for the more energetic, which takes you to the falls 2.6km.

Kiama Blowhole

An icon of Kiama, you need to visit when the tide and winds are just right (seas running from the south-east) to see the spectacular blowhole in action. Visiting the blowhole is a ‘must do’ activity for any first-time visitor and is particularly fun when you have kids with you. It’s a short walk from the town centre and there is a wheelchair accessible viewing platform.

Kiama Coast Walk

Runs from Kiama down to Werri Beach at Gerringong. You can start at either end (or in the middle) and just do a little of the walk, or walk the whole way and catch the train back to where you started. The walk takes past the Cathedral Rocks at Kiama Downs, the Kiama Blowhole and Bombo Beach, along rocky headlands and waterfront reserves and finally along the clifftops through the dairy pastures to the south of Kiama. Scenery at it’s best.

Surfing at Seven Mile Beach

Gerroa is famous for Seven Mile Beach which runs all the way down to Shoalhaven heads. There are a range of surfing schools, including weekend camps, operating in the area, ready to get you up and on your board. Great for adults or kids. You may need a wetsuit though if you wanted to surf outside of the peak summer season.

Golfing at Gerringong

There are 3 golf courses in the area (at Jamberoo, Gerringong and Kiama), but if you’ve ever driven along this stretch of coastline, it’s hard to miss the views from the top of Gerringong Golf course. Play a round whilst soaking up the coastal and mountain views. You may even spot a passing whale.

Holiday options

Kiama is an easy weekend getaway for Sydneysiders, but there is plenty to do if you have longer to stay and explore. Lots of nature-based activities, and plenty to keep the kids busy, especially if you add in a trip to the Jamberoo Action Park.

When to go?

Summer is a great time to hit the surf, however for other outdoor activities, spring and autumn may be best. Given the proximity to Sydney though, you’ll need to book ahead for weekends.

How to get there?

90 minutes south of Sydney on the Princes Highway

Just over 2 hours from Canberra, taking the Illawarra Highway to the coast.

Trains also depart from Sydney Minnamurra, Bombo, Kiama and Gerringong.

How long to go for?

At least a weekend, but to take part in our top 5 activities you’ll probably need at least a week.

Tourist Information

An annual visitors guide is published on the area, the website at www.kiama.com.au or visitor information centres at Kiama, Jamberoo and Gerringong.

Hawks Nest and the Myall Lakes

Hawks Nest, Port Stephens

We started of our trip in the Myall Lakes area in December.

Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens is still a quiet beachside enclave just 3 hours north of Sydney. Bordered by ocean beaches, Port Stephens itself and the Myall Lakes system, there is so much to see and do here you could literally spend a few weeks.

Away from the hustle and bustle of Nelson Bay, across the Port, outside of the holiday season Hawks Nest is just a sleepy seaside village.

I spent many holidays here whilst growing up, in one of the holiday rental properties on Booner Street, within walking distance to Bennett’s Beach, Jimmy’s Beach, the shops and the boatramp. I have to say, things have not changed much since those times, except the addition of a few more facilities in Tea Gardens, including a new shopping complex which houses Bi-Lo – great for the shopping and not too close to impinge on the holiday ambience.

Top 5 things to do and see

Beaches

Hawks Nest has a main surf beach which is patrolled and has flags, called Bennetts Beach, however this beach runs for miles from Yaccaba Headland at the Port Stephens end, to Little Gibber in the north. The northern part of this is accessible to 4WD vehicles with a beach permit – great for fishing. This run of surf beaches continues 14km north all the way to Seal Rocks.

To the south is Jimmy’s Beach and Winda Woppa which are on Port Stephens, so are flat-water beaches, great for kite or wind-surfing, catamarans, boating in general and of course little kids swimming without the waves.

Fishing

There are so many places to fish in the Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens area, that even at peak holiday season you can find a place on your own. Whether you’re looking for Tailor, Black Fish, Whiting, Bream, Flathead or Shark, choose your spot, your bait and the appropriate equipment.

• Beach fishing along Bennetts Beach or Jimmy’s Beach out to Winda Woppa.
• Go on an ‘outside’ charter or a day trip to Broughton Island and you are sure to come back with some biggies.
• Hire a canoe or a runabout and fish the Myall River system.
• Fish from the rocks along the foreshore of the Myall River or walk out onto one of the many sandflats.

Walking/Cycling

Hawks Nest is relatively flat, so walking from where you are staying to the local shops, or beach is usually less than one kilometre. However, over about 300 metres many prefer a bike.

Bring your own bike or hire one locally to explore Hawks Nest, Tea Gardens, Winda Woppa and Mungo Brush – we even met a group that did a cycling day trip to Buladelah and back – quite a trip.

There are a range of walking tracks throughout the area that enable you to see local flora and fauna, and of course you could always just walk the beach!

Golf

Hawks Nest Golf Club is a popular getaway for golfers from both Sydney and Newcastle. Bring your own clubs, or hire them, you can hire golf buggies here too. This is an 18 hole course that runs from behind the sand dunes to the north of the township and is a great way to experience nature by way of kangaroos, koala’s and birds.

The club has regular functions throughout the holiday season and on weekends, and you can sign up to be a social member for just $11 bringing discounts on food and drink purchases too.

Dolphin/Whale and Nature Cruises

Catching sight of dolphins is possible even from the beaches, however for something more organised give a boat a go.

Not only do ferries operate between Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest and Nelsons Bay, on the other side of Port Stephens, there are dedicated Dolphin and Whale watching cruises that operate barring stormy weather.

There are also cruises that operate up the Myall River system, or you can bring your own boat, or hire one and do the cruise yourself too.

Holiday options

Hawks Nest really is a family destination, the town is fairly flat and you see dozens of families making the daily walk or cycle to and from the beach. Saying that, it’s also an area full of adventure and one perfect for a couples or group getaway.

When to go?

Seriously, any time of year is good here – particularly for the fishing, golf and cruises. Summer is busies, especially in the school holidays, when the township swells with the addition of over 2000 holidaymakers, still, it seems to cope. Get down to the bakery early in the summer months though, or you might miss out.

How to get there?

Follow the Pacific Highway north of Sydney along the F1 and at the end of the freeway turn towards Raymond Terrace/Hexham, you go over the bridge to the north of Newcastle and continue on through Heatherbrae following the highway north of Karuah. The turnoff to Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens is about 20 minutes north of Heatherbrae and then just a short 10 minutes to the coast.

How long to go for?

Hawks Nest is an easy weekend trip from Sydney or Newcastle – in the summer you could leave after work and still get here before sundown. Many regulars do this for golf and fishing weekends.

If you’ve not been here before allow at least a week, although there is plenty to keep you busy for 2 or 3 weeks or more.

Tourist Information

There are a great range of affordable restaurants and eateries in the Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens’ area, from local Chinese, the Golf Club and Pub to a suite of waterfront seafood restaurants. More than enough to keep you entertained.

There is a tourist information centre at Tea Gardens for Hawks Nest, Tea Gardens, the Myall Lakes and Port Stephens.