Kiama
The Blowhole Town at the End of the Electric Line from Sydney
Explore the Town ↓
Life in Kiama
A basalt harbor, the blowhole and surf beaches sit below a green escarpment. Kiama is a seaside base with electric trains to Sydney and the valleys of Jamberoo behind it.
Kiama is a coastal town of about 14,800 on basalt headlands below the Illawarra escarpment, with a famous blowhole, a harbor, surf beaches and an electric train to central Sydney.
Kiama is the east-coast option in this Atlas, with rail to Sydney and Sydney Airport about an hour and a half away. For a foreign buyer, though, the legal route narrows to off-the-plan apartments and townhouses.
Kiama is among the priciest markets on the list, with heavy New South Wales foreign surcharges and landslip and coastal hazards. There is no hospital in town; the nearest emergency department is in Shellharbour, about 20 minutes north.
- South Coast Line trains reach Sydney Central in a little over 2 hr.
- Sydney Airport is 1 hr 20 min to 1 hr 30 min by road, and central Sydney about 1 hr 40 min.
- State / Region
- New South Wales · Illawarra and South Coast · Municipality of Kiama
- Population
- 14,761 (ABS 2021 Census, urban center) · a coastal town with a strong tourism and retiree presence
- Setting
- Basalt headlands, harbor and beaches below the Illawarra escarpment · sea level to about 100 m in town, Saddleback Mountain (about 600 m) behind
- Heritage
- The Blowhole and Kiama Lighthouse (1887) · The Terraces of the 1880s · the basalt quarrying harbor
- What Makes It Distinct
- A real coastal town with an electric train to Sydney, where off-the-plan apartments are the foreign buyer's door
- Inside the Full Atlas
- 27 pages on Kiama, within the 238-page Australia Atlas.
Kiama & Its Surroundings
Wander the streets, waterways and neighboring towns before you go.
The pin marks the town center. The live map needs an internet connection.
A Closer Look at Kiama
Look Beyond the View
Fall for the view, then choose with clear eyes. The full Atlas explains the natural risks checked for this town and where a property deserves a closer look.
- See which natural hazards the research covers
- Tell town-wide conditions apart from one address
- Take the right questions to a local specialist
Picture the Journey
The town you love should be easy to reach, again and again. The full Atlas lays out how you get here, from the arrival point to the final stretch.
- Compare the main ways to get here
- Plan for repeat visits and everyday trips
- Weigh the trade-offs before you pick a base
Find Your Reasons to Stay
The places you remember mix scenery, streets and local life. The town chapter takes you past the first impression to the character underneath.
- Explore the setting, landmarks and local culture
- Discover what makes this town its own
- Picture the pleasures of a longer stay
Renting It While You’re Away
Thinking of renting your home out while you’re away? The Atlas sets the rental questions and local context right beside the place itself.
- Learn which rules and permits to check
- Gauge likely visitors and seasonal demand
- Weigh the practical limits on renting it out
Imagine an Ordinary Week
The view draws you in. Everyday life helps you decide. The full chapter covers the services and practical details of living here beyond a vacation.
- Check healthcare and everyday services
- Picture the shops, connections and daily routines
- See what life is like outside the busy season
Kiama and Around, in 8 Pictures
Images from the Atlas, each with its own source and edit notes.
Summary of the Australia Atlas, edition of 26 September 2026. The town order is our editorial ranking. About the Dossier.