SCENIC DRIVES
1. A QUICK LOOK AROUND - NORTH
(Aprox. 30 minutes)
Proceed west from P.O. along Terralong Street past Hindmarsh Park and Leagues Club on your right to the cutting at the top of the hill. On your left just here are the playing fields and the Kiama Leisure Centre situated in an old blue stone quarry.
Turn right under the overpass and left onto the Princes Highway which takes you past Kiama's Cemetery (one of ten in the area) and Bombo Beach. Another right at North Kiama Drive takes you over train line where a sharp right puts you into Cliff Drive - Cathedral Rocks can be viewed on your left.
Proceed north again past Jones Beach and join Charles Ave (Golf Club on your left.) third right brings you to Minnamurra River entrance with a view to Stack Island. A nice walk is available around the headland if you have the time.
Return via Federal Street under railway and through Golf Course - turn left into Princes Highway for return to Kiama.
2. A QUICK LOOK AROUND - SOUTH
(Aprox. 30 minutes)
Turn South at P.O. through Kiama's historic precinct. Kiama's main beach and Coronation Park are on your left (nice place for a stroll). Next left into Barney Street takes you past one of our seven holiday parks and Chapman Reserve named after the original owner of Hartwell House which can be seen on the corner of Hartwell Crescent.
Turn right at the corner of Farmer Street taking you past the Coach House Gallery & Craft Centre, formerly part of Hartwell House and then left into Manning Street.
The next left at Bonaira Street passes the hospital built in 1931 before descending into Kendalls Beach. Proceed up the hill keeping to the left via Gwinganna, Boanyo and Tingira brings you to the Little Blowhole - not as well known as its big brother but probably more active. A short walk to the north here takes you to Fry's Cave, an enormous sea cavern in the cliff face. Continue around Tingira to Marsden Street where you can see East Beach on your left. Taking Wilson and Marks Street back to south Kiama Drive. A right turn here takes you back to town.
Jamberoo Valley was settled in the 1820's when it abounded in dense vegetation and rainforest. Clearing the land over the years gave way to grazing runs and dairying and it's reputed to be the home of the famous 'Illawarra Shorthorn' cattle. Some seven cemeteries are to be found throughout the village which still retains many of its old buildings including churches, country pub and schoolhouse.
A map depicting heritage sites is available from Fredricks General Store in Allowrie St. will help you find your way around.
The valley now boasts some interesting attractions including the three time award winning Minnamurra Rainforest Reserve, Jamberoo Recreation Park, Lookouts and waterfalls with the Barren Grounds Nature Reserve overlooking the valley from the escarpment.
A good range of accommodation is available including resort, guest house, bed and breakfast properties and pub and is located just fifteen minutes drive west of Kiama.
The villages of Gerringong and Gerroa are located just ten minutes south of Kiama and scenic Drive No. 3 should not be missed whilst visiting our area. Good quality and variety of accommodation is available from Guidepost Travel, in Fern St will help identify the historic landmarks in the town and the Gerringong Heritage Museum in Blackwood Street, and open on weekends, provides some fascinating displays on our pioneers and other historic highlights.
Surrounded by lush farmlands, mountains, the pristine Pacific Ocean and Seven Mile Beach National Park Gerringong/Gerroa has a wealth of activities to offer the visitor.
3. GERRINGONG & SEVEN MILE BEACH
(Approx. 60 minutes)
Proceed south from Post Office along South Kiama Drive to join the highway at Kiama Heights travelling via the 'bends' to Mount Pleasant Lookout. This is signposted on your left and overlooks the southern region of the Illawarra.
Continue downhill turning left over train line at Omega crossing which takes you into Fern Street and the town of Gerringong, overlooking Werri Beach on your left.
A left turn at Jupiter Street takes you down to Boat Harbour, a pretty little picnic area complete with rock pool and boat ramp. A 100 metre jetty erected in 1851 once stood here, servicing the Sydney shipping trade.
Returning to Fern Street and turning South for approximately 3 kms. takes you past Walkers Beach and the Gerringong Golf Course on your left just before reaching the village of Gerroa. At the top of this hill is the Kingsford Smith Memorial Lookout providing a magnificent view over the Seven Mile Beach National Park towards the Shoalhaven.
Crooked River lies below, its entrance to the sea is a popular swimming and windsurfing area. A delightful picnic area is located here with access to the beach via a footbridge.
An alternative route back to Kiama is available here by continuing south approximately 4 kms. turning right to Berry and turn north again on the Princes Highway, past Foxground and Mount Pleasant.
All drives commence from the pink Post Office 400 metres west of Blowhole.
4. JAMBEROO VALLEY & SADDLEBACK LOOKOUT
(Approx. 60 minutes)
Proceed south from P.O. down Manning Street turning right over train line and straight up hill (Saddleback Road) past high school. Some fine examples of our Dry Stone Walls can be seen here, a legacy of our pioneers and constructed over a century ago. Cabbage Tree Palms seen dotting the valleys are actually remnants of rainforest long since cleared, to make way for dairying.
Turn left at top of hill and follow this scenic country road which takes you to foot of lookout. On a clear day 180 degree views from Cronulla to Milton, some 240 kilometers can be had (this is also the start of Hoddles Track walk).
On leaving the lookout turn left on Fountaindale Road around the northern edge of the escarpment passing the herb farm and follow the bitumen track to the Jamberoo Road.
Turning west for 2 kms. brings you to the pretty little village of Jamberoo. Surrounded by lush green dairy farms this settlement, holds a monthly market (last Sunday of each month) and is home to the annual Folk Festival (March).
Approximately 1km. through the village - left-hand turn up the Jamberoo Mountain Road takes you to Minnamurra Rainforest, Barren Grounds Bird Observatory, Carrington and Gerringong Falls. Proceeding directly ahead takes you past the Jamberoo Recreation Park and on to Albion Park where you can return via the Princes Highway to Kiama. Alternately you may return back along the Jamberoo Road past historic 'Terragong' house directly to the coast.
SHOALHAVEN & JERVIS BAY
(Approx. 4 hours)
Journeying south through Berry a visit to the Tourist Centre first on your left crossing the Shoalhaven River at Nowra.
Approximately 16 kms. south of Nowra, turn left into Jervis Bay where you will find secluded beaches, prolific bird life and stunning white sand at Greenpatch, Bristol Point and Caves Beach - all part of the Jervis Bay National Park. Return by the villages of Huskisson and Vincentia to Nowra where the first right turn over the Shoalhaven Bridge takes you past Coolangatta, Shoalhaven Heads and Seven Mile Beach National Park to Kiama.
