The best Kiama accommodation for every holiday style

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A sleepy seaside town with jaw-dropping coastal vistas, Kiama in the NSW South Coast is renowned for good quality slow living. From its 20-kilometre coastal walk and nature-centred activities to a stellar coffee and dining scene, the laidback spot offers visitors the best of every world. Making life even sweeter is the array of Kiama accommodation up for grabs, running the spectrum from simple camping and facility loaded holiday parks to luxury lodgings with state-of-the-art tech and world-class views. Here, our favourites of the bunch to get you on your way sooner.

Hotels

1. THE SEBEL KIAMA

The Sebel Kiama from above
This contemporary accommodation is nestled in the heart of Kiama.

Best for: families and couples, equally

Blending heritage and modern architecture, The Sebel Kiama knocks together an unparalleled Kiama stay right by the water. Even better, it’s angled to both families (with packages that throw in tickets to Jamberoo Action Park) and loved-up duos (think complimentary sparkling wine and a cheese platter) so you can imagine how vast the room types prove. Eight individual hotel and apartment styles cover the lot, all decorated tasteful-coastal with stocked mini bars and, if you’re staying in a Deluxe Balcony room, harbour views. Elsewhere, Yves is the Kiama accommodation’s on-site restaurant, plating up local flavours and ingredients via internationally inspired dishes, plus signature cocktails including six unique martinis. Other inclusions span undercover parking, 24/7 reception assistance and a buffet breakfast.

Address: 2 Minnamurra St, Kiama

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2. NOVA KIAMA

an ocean-view room at Nova Kiama
Nova Kiama features modern family rooms.

Best for: families and corporates

Nova Kiama exudes that coveted coastal feel via warm service, hipster facilities and a swish design. We love the Kiama accommodation’s heated outdoor swimming pool and the “Nova Kombi" converted vehicle that offers coffee, drinks and snacks from 7am daily. There’s also a tight edit of gym equipment that’s available for use daily and Wi-Fi flows freely throughout the 32-room property. Ready to hit the hay? Choose from the Queen, Ocean View, Family (with bunk beds) or one-bedroom Executive suites, the latter of the bunch featuring a kitchenette for totally comfortable work-from-anywhere conditions.

Address: 31 Bong Bong St, Kiama

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3. BELLEVUE BOUTIQUE HOTEL

the Bellevue Boutique Hotel window shot
The charming boutique hotel exudes idyllic countryside vibes. (Image: Supplied)

Best for: bed-and-breakfast vibes

A restored 1890s boarding house is now home to the delightful Bellevue Boutique Hotel. With six unique suites – four premium and two deluxe – the Kiama accommodation provides fully self-contained lodgings with their own access to a wraparound veranda if you’re staying upstairs (otherwise there’s a lovely terrace). If you’re needing ample space, go for the Deluxe option due to its larger floor plans and separate bath and showers; however, all include air-conditioning, a smart TV, Wi-Fi, separate dining and living areas and fully operational kitchens and laundries.

Address: 21 Minnamurra St, Kiama

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4. PARK RIDGE RETREAT

a hotel room with a bed, chair and wine on the table at Park Ridge Retreat, Gerringong
Settle into a 4-star Gerringong hotel with your own private balcony. (Image: Park Ridge Retreat)

Best for: budget-conscious stays

Located just over a 10-minute drive from the centre of town, Park Ridge Retreat is a Gerringong hotel with an extremely attractive price tag. Offering 32 rooms from $169 per night, plus the capacity to bring your pet along with you, the hotel features various room styles including interconnecting stays making it all too tempting for other families to get on board. Decor-wise, muted colour palettes and simple furniture create calm spaces, plus there are private balconies, Wi-Fi, undercover car parking and a BBQ to lean into.

Address: 139 Belinda St, Gerringong

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5. MERCURE GERRINGONG RESORT

the standard king single room at Mercure Gerringong Resort
The award-winning Mercure Gerringong Resort boasts 52 spacious rooms.

Best for: couples

Another Gerringong hot spot that’s worth stepping a little outside of town for, Mercure Gerringong Resort is home to 52 rooms including Spa Suites so slick they were once used in episodes of Married at First Sight. Offering views of the region’s wetlands and lush hinterland, the accommodation also houses the seasonally led Bella Char Restaurant & Wine Bar, a homely space for a quality meal, plus there’s two swimming pools and a tennis court to enjoy.

Address: 1 Fern St, Gerringong

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Airbnbs and holiday homes

6. KIAMA BEACH HOUSE AIRBNB

dining with scenic views at Kiama Beach House
Take in spectacular views from your own private deck at Kiama Beach House.

Best for: serene views

Kiama Beach House is a classic Kiama holiday home that’s perfect for families thanks to a multitude of sleeping combinations. Housing up to eight guests, three bedrooms feature double beds and two of them also throw in a bunk bed, so you can twist and turn who’s sleeping where any which way. Walk from the backyard directly through to Easts Beach or enjoy Pacific Ocean views from the balcony. Even better, the Kiama accommodation garners consistent reviews from happy guests who adore its beachside location, fully equipped kitchen and entertaining areas.

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7. BLUEWATER APARTMENTS

the interior of Bluewater Apartments, Kiama accommodation
This picturesque boutique apartment is close to the main beach.

Best for: large groups who need separate rooms

Offering terrific beachside accommodation in Kiama, Bluewater Apartments is filled with 22 individual stays spanning studios, two-bedroom configurations and three-bedroom blow-outs. It’s close to the beach town’s much-adored attractions, like Kiama Blowhole, plus it’s an easy flat walk to some of the most acclaimed cafes and restaurants in town.

Address: 9 Bong Bong St, Kiama

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8. THE WERRI SHACK

a living room with a fireplace at The Werri Shack, Kiama accommodation
Make yourself at home next to the fireplace.

Best for: fur parents

The Werri Shack is a superb beach house located smack bang between the mountains and the sea. The two-level, pet-friendly Kiama accommodation (the yard is fully fenced, and there’s a nearby off-leash zone at Werri Beach) offers generous living areas and cool furnishings across three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Plus, there’s unlimited Wi-Fi, a PlayStation, table tennis and a rack to store your surfboard, proving they’ve really thought of everything.

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9. AMAROO

Best for: living the rich and famous lifestyle you deserve

Ready to step the decadence up a notch? Amaroo is a grand five-bedroom holiday home with all the bells and whistles. The Kiama accommodation, located just 10 minutes’ stroll from Easts Beach, sleeps up to eight guests with three bathrooms, a swimming pool with sun lounges and an adjacent games room filled with a lounge, pool table, dining table and barbecue. The cherry on top is how remote you’ll feel lounging in this place with water views stretching out to the horizon and green grass flowing right from the property to the water’s edge.

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10. BUNKER HOUSE

coastal views from the Bunker House, Kiama accommodation
Take in jaw-dropping coastal vistas at the oceanfront Bunker House.

Best for: Architecture nuts

While we’re going crazy, consider splashing out on Bunker House. An architecturally led marvel on a quiet, water-facing corner in Gerringong, the property is staggering from the outset. But wait until you step inside. Serving as a popular photo shoot location, the home features seven bedrooms, smart technology, three kitchens, three individual living areas, a mammoth deck with a barbecue, a heated pool, a steam room, a gym, a fireplace, four car spaces, indoor and outdoor fire pits and, unbelievably, it’s wheelchair accessible if you let the owners know in advance to make a few tweaks.

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Caravan parks and camping

11. KENDALLS ON THE BEACH HOLIDAY PARK

Best for: absolute beach frontage bragging rights

Kendalls on the Beach Holiday Park offers everything from a two-level, four-bedroom spa bath cabin to equally picturesque three-bedroom varieties and far simpler tent and caravan sites. If you’re sleeping outside of four walls, take advantage of the amenities block, a camp kitchen and free Wi-Fi, while visitors of all descriptions will appreciate the laundry, barbecue facilities and children’s playground.

Address: Bonaira St, Kiama

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12. SURF BEACH HOLIDAY PARK

Best for: families and budget-friendly bookings

Talk about prime position. Surf Beach Holiday Park peers directly over Kiama’s Main Beach, offering plenty of activities and spotless facilities including a camp kitchen, swimming pool, games room and kids’ playground. It’s a quiet location, about a 10-minute walk from the centre of town, plus it’s pet-friendly, so nobody’s left at home. Accommodation spans villas, bungalows and powered campsites. The Kiama accommodation is ideal for families looking to save a bit of coin for temptations outside of their digs.

Address: Bourroul St, Kiama

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13. CICADA

a look inside the safari-style tent at Cicada, Kiama accommodation
The safari-style tents at Cicada are a luxe lover’s dream. (Image: Destination NSW)

Best for: romance-chasing glamping addicts

Cicada is the region’s most-loved glamping option, located about five minutes from the centre of town and featuring those incredible dome-shaped stays typically reserved for Instagram. If you’re a sucker for newness, go for the Silver Knight or Tiger Prince Domes, launched in the first half of 2025, which feature breathtaking views across the bush, air-conditioning, private undercover decks, kitchens with gas barbecues, firepits and woodfired tubs to soak under the stars in. Other beautiful options within Cicada’s suite come in the way of safari tents (still with kitchenettes and outdoor baths, mind you) and bell tents.

Address: 127 Jerrara Rd, Jerrara

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Discover the best things to do in Kiama

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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8 ways to discover a new side of Port Stephens

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape.
Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens.
Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface.
Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary  to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile
See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure.
Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay.
Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens
Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters.
Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .