# Kiama Blowhole Guide | When It Sprays, Parking and Access URL: https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/landmarks-and-walks/kiama-blowhole/ Last updated: 2026-10-16 # Kiama Blowhole and the Little Blowhole, a visitor guide The Kiama Blowhole is on Blowhole Point Road, next to Kiama Lighthouse, and is free to visit 24 hours a day. It sprays highest when the wind and swell come from the south-east, with plumes recorded at over 30 metres. On north-east swells, try the Little Blowhole on Tingira Crescent instead. [](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/authors/joseph-joshua-ngushual/)By [Joseph Joshua Ngushual](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/authors/joseph-joshua-ngushual/), Kiama Travel SpecialistPublished 16 October 2026 · 7 min read Stay at Kiama Ridge Waters Three-bedroom apartments from $200 a night Sleeps 6 · 15-minute walk to Easts Beach [First Floor 3-Bed Unit by the Ocean First floor · Sleeps 6 · From $214 a night](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/apartments/first-floor-ocean/)[3-Bed Apartment with Study Nook First floor · Sleeps 6 · From $201 a night](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/apartments/study-nook/)[Ground Floor 3-Bed Home in Kiama's Heart Ground floor · Sleeps 6 · From $200 a night](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/apartments/kiama-heart/)[3-Bed Kiama Unit with Courtyard Ground floor · Sleeps 6 · From $306 a night](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/apartments/courtyard/)[3-Bed with Alfresco Dining Ground floor · Sleeps 6 · From $204 a night](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/apartments/alfresco-dining/) [Book now](https://book.madecomfy.com.au/properties/656fed562e0a0-first-floor-3-bed-stunning-unit-by-the-ocean/?ref=nddmytc&utm_source=ridgewaterskiama&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=booking-handoff&utm_content=guide-hero) Photo: Vuj606, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kiama_Blowhole_in_Action.jpg) ## Check the Kiama Blowhole facts before you go Photo: Maxim75, [CC BY 4.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2025-09-27_Kiama,_New_South_Wales.jpg) The Blowhole sits at the tip of Blowhole Point, a short walk from the centre of Kiama. Here is what the official sources say, in one place. Address | Blowhole Point Road, Kiama NSW 2533 ([open in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=-34.6713444,150.8658668)) | Cost | Free | Hours | Open 24 hours, every day of the year | Opening in the rock | 2.5 metres | Highest spray | Recorded at over 30 metres in a south-east swell | Conditions it needs | South-east wind and south-east swell | Access | Several accessible viewing platforms | Facilities | Car park, coach parking, public toilets (always open), cafe, barbecue, picnic area, gift shop | From Kiama Ridge Waters | About a 35-minute walk (2.9 km) or a 5-minute drive | Destination Kiama asks visitors to "take 3 for the sea": carry your rubbish out or use the bins, and fill a reusable bottle at the free water stations. ## Go when the swell runs from the south-east Photo: Ymblanter, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kiama_Blowhole_lookout_seen_from_Kiama_Lighthouse.jpg) The Blowhole only performs when waves push hard into the sea cave beneath it. Destination Kiama says it works hardest in a south-east wind with a south-east swell. The NSW Government notes the big plumes come when the swell is running from the south-east. On a flat day you may only see a puff of mist, so a windy, wavy day beats a still, sunny one. Before you head out, look at a marine or swell forecast, such as the [Bureau of Meteorology](https://www.bom.gov.au/) coastal waters forecast for the Illawarra. Check two things: the swell direction (south-east suits the main Blowhole, north-east suits the Little Blowhole) and the swell size. Both blowholes are weather dependent, so even a good forecast is no guarantee. Forecast | Where to go | South-east swell and wind | Kiama Blowhole on Blowhole Point | North-east swell and wind | Little Blowhole on Tingira Crescent | Small swell | Little Blowhole, which Destination Kiama says is more dramatic when the swell is small | Flat and calm | Walk the point anyway, then visit the Lighthouse and ocean pool | For smaller crowds, go early in the morning or later in the afternoon, and on weekdays outside school holidays. Early starts pair well with [sunrise over Blowhole Point](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/beaches/kiama-sunrise-sunset/). ## See the Blowhole after dark Photo: RohanDavid, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kiama_lighthouse.jpg) Because the Blowhole is open around the clock, you can watch it at night. The area is floodlit after dark. Lighting times can change, so check before you go. A big south-east swell after dinner can put on a show with far fewer people around. For more ideas, see [Kiama at night](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/things-to-do/kiama-at-night/). ## Learn how the Blowhole works Photo: portengaround, [CC BY-SA 2.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kiama_Blowhole_Entrance_(8762088257).jpg) The headland is made of basalt from lava flows about 260 million years ago, according to Destination Kiama. Over time the sea carved a cave into the rock. When a wave rolls into the cave, it squeezes the water and air inside and forces them up through the 2.5-metre opening in the rock face, which is the spray and boom you see and hear from the platforms. Visit NSW calls it the biggest blowhole in the world. Treat that as the tourism claim it is: what you see on the day depends far more on the swell than on any record. ## Know the Blowhole's history Photo: P. Lu, [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Blow_Hole_Plaque,_Kiama_-_panoramio.jpg) Local Aboriginal people knew the Blowhole long before Europeans arrived. Destination Kiama gives its name as Khanterinte. Kiama Coast Holiday Parks spells it Khanterintee and says the Wadi Wadi name means "mysterious noise". The explorer George Bass recorded the Blowhole in December 1797, after anchoring his whaleboat in the sheltered bay that is now Kiama Harbour. In January 1889, tightrope walker Charles Jackson strung a rope across the chasm, according to Kiama Coast Holiday Parks. It has drawn visitors for well over 100 years. Estimates of how many come each year vary: the NSW Government puts it at about 1.3 million, while Destination Kiama's listing says about 900,000. ## Try the Little Blowhole on north-east swells Photo: profernity, [CC BY 2.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Little_Blowhole,_Kiama_1.jpg) The Little Blowhole is off Tingira Crescent, about 2 km south of the Kiama town centre. It is the one to choose when the seas come from the north-east, and Destination Kiama says it is more dramatic when the swell is small. Read our [Little Blowhole guide](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/landmarks-and-walks/little-blowhole/) for parking, safety and the walk on to [Easts Beach](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/beaches/easts-beach-kiama/). | Kiama Blowhole | Little Blowhole | Location | Blowhole Point Road, next to the Lighthouse | Tingira Crescent, about 2 km south of town | Swell | South-east | North-east, and more dramatic on small swells | Access needs | Accessible viewing platforms | Not catered for | Facilities | Car park, toilets, cafe, barbecue, picnic area | Car park, [lookouts](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/landmarks-and-walks/kiama-lookouts/), picnic area | Walk from Kiama Ridge Waters | About 35 minutes (2.9 km) | About 20 minutes (1.6 km) | ## Get to Blowhole Point on foot, by car or by train Photo: Maksym Kozlenko, [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kiama_train_station_-_panoramio.jpg) From Kiama Ridge Waters: it is about a 35-minute walk (2.9 km) or a 5-minute drive. If you are walking, stop at the Little Blowhole on the way, since it is closer to the apartments than town. By car from Sydney: Kiama is about 1 hour 45 minutes from the Sydney CBD. See [Sydney to Kiama](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/plan-your-trip/sydney-to-kiama/) for the drive. By train: Kiama station is on the South Coast Line, and the Blowhole is about a 14-minute walk (1.2 km) from the station. Plan your trip on [Transport NSW](https://transportnsw.info/). Parking: Blowhole Point has a car park and coach parking. At busy times, come early or walk in. Parking rules can change, so read the signs when you arrive and see our [Kiama parking guide](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/plan-your-trip/kiama-parking/). ## Use the platforms, toilets and visitor centre Photo: Vipendragupta, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kiama_Blowhole_02.JPG) The Blowhole has several accessible viewing platforms, and Destination Kiama says it actively welcomes people with access needs. Head to the most eastern point to see the full height of the rock formation. The public toilets are always open. There are barbecues and a picnic area, plus a cafe and gift shop. The Kiama Visitor Information Centre is also on Blowhole Point Road, with Diggies Cafe next door. Kiama Council lists the centre as open daily except Christmas Day, 10am to 4pm. Hours can change, so check before you go. Staff offer free maps, local tips and bookings. Call 1300 654 262 or 02 4232 3322, or email [tourism@kiama.com.au](mailto:tourism@kiama.com.au). For a meal afterwards, see [places to eat near the Blowhole](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/eat-and-drink/where-to-eat-in-kiama/). ## Stay behind the barriers Photo: Maurice van Creij, [CC BY 3.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Kiama_Blowhole_-_panoramio.jpg) Destination Kiama describes both blowholes as weather dependent and unpredictable. Waves can surge over the rock platform without warning, especially in a big swell, so stay on the platforms and behind the railings. - Keep small children close and hold hands near the edge. - Expect spray. On a big day you can get soaked, so protect phones and cameras. - Rocks near the hole are wet and slippery. Don't climb past the barriers for a photo. - At the Little Blowhole, people also watch from the rocky foreshore. Keep well back from the edge there too. ## Spend an hour on Blowhole Point Photo: Ymblanter, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kiama_Araucaria_heterophylla_along_Blowhole_Point_Road_03.jpg) The Blowhole is one stop on a headland packed with things to see. Plan to stay a while. - Kiama Lighthouse: built in 1887 and right beside the Blowhole. Read our [Kiama Lighthouse on Blowhole Point](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/landmarks-and-walks/kiama-lighthouse/) guide. - [Pilot's Cottage](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/landmarks-and-walks/kiama-history-and-heritage/) Museum: a local history museum run by the Kiama Historical Society. Destination Kiama lists it as open Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 3pm. Check before you go. - Blowhole Point Ocean Pool: carved into the rock on the north side of the point, the smaller of Kiama's two ocean pools, with a shallow wading area for young children. See [Kiama's rock pools](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/beaches/kiama-rock-pools/). - Kiama Harbour: look down on the boats, or try [fishing at Kiama Harbour](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/things-to-do/kiama-fishing/). Our [Kiama Harbour guide](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/landmarks-and-walks/kiama-harbour/) has more. - Kiama Coast Walk: the 20 km walk is split into three sections, and the Blowhole marks the start of the middle one. Head north for [Cathedral Rocks](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/landmarks-and-walks/cathedral-rocks/) and [Bombo Headland](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/beaches/bombo/), or south for the Little Blowhole. [Walk the Kiama Coast Walk from the Blowhole](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/landmarks-and-walks/kiama-coast-walk/). - Whales: read our guide to [whale watching from Blowhole Point](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/landmarks-and-walks/whale-watching-kiama/) and the rest of the Kiama coast. With children in tow, pair the Blowhole with [more things to do in Kiama with kids](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/things-to-do/things-to-do-in-kiama-with-kids/), or see [free things to do in Kiama](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/things-to-do/free-things-to-do-in-kiama/). ## Stay a 35-minute walk from the Blowhole At Kiama Ridge Waters you can check the swell over breakfast and pick your blowhole. The Little Blowhole is a 20-minute walk away, Easts Beach is 15 minutes on foot, and the main Blowhole is about 35 minutes' walk or 5 minutes by car. Each of our three-bedroom apartments at 2 [Surfleet Place](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/live-and-own/kiama-ridge-waters-location/) sleeps six, with two bathrooms, a full kitchen, a laundry and secure parking for two cars. Most of our apartments welcome pets (a $200 cleaning fee applies). Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is by 10am. See our [three-bedroom apartments in Kiama](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/apartments/), [family accommodation in Kiama](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/stay/families/) and [pet-friendly accommodation in Kiama](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/stay/pet-friendly/), or [check availability](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/book/). If you are still deciding, read [where to stay in Kiama](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/plan-your-trip/where-to-stay-in-kiama/). ### Staying at Kiama Ridge Waters Kiama Ridge Waters is about a 35-minute walk (2.9 km) from the Kiama Blowhole and a 20-minute walk from the Little Blowhole. Kiama Ridge Waters offers three-bedroom apartments at 2 Surfleet Place, Kiama, each sleeping six with parking for two cars. [View apartments](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/apartments/) [Check availability](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/book/) ## Quick answers **Is the Kiama Blowhole free?** Yes. Destination Kiama says both the Kiama Blowhole and the Little Blowhole can be visited 24 hours a day, every day of the year, at no charge. There is a car park on Blowhole Point, but parking rules can change, so read the signs when you arrive. **When does the Kiama Blowhole spray highest?** It works hardest in a south-east wind with a south-east swell, when plumes have been recorded at over 30 metres. On calm days it may barely spray. Check a marine forecast for swell direction and size before you go, and switch to the Little Blowhole on north-east days. **Is the Kiama Blowhole open at night?** Yes, Blowhole Point is open 24 hours. The area is floodlit after dark, which makes a night visit worthwhile in a good swell. Lighting times can change, so check before you go, and stay behind the barriers. **What is the difference between the Kiama Blowhole and the Little Blowhole?** The Kiama Blowhole on Blowhole Point is larger and needs a south-east swell. The Little Blowhole, about 2 km south on Tingira Crescent, prefers a north-east swell and can be more dramatic on small swells. The main Blowhole has accessible platforms. The Little Blowhole does not cater for access needs. [Read the Little Blowhole guide](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/landmarks-and-walks/little-blowhole/). **Is the Kiama Blowhole wheelchair accessible?** Yes. The Blowhole has multiple accessible viewing platforms, and Destination Kiama lists it as welcoming people with access needs. The public toilets on the point are always open. The Little Blowhole is different: its official listing says it does not cater for people with access needs. **Where do you park for the Kiama Blowhole?** There is a car park and coach parking on Blowhole Point, near the Lighthouse and Visitor Information Centre. At busy times, arrive early or walk in. From Kiama station the Blowhole is about a 14-minute walk. Read the signs, as parking rules can change. **How far is the Kiama Blowhole from Kiama Ridge Waters?** It is about a 35-minute walk (2.9 km) or a 5-minute drive from the apartments at 2 Surfleet Place. The Little Blowhole is closer, about a 20-minute walk (1.6 km), so you can stop there on the way. Easts Beach is a 15-minute walk in the other direction. **Is the Kiama Blowhole the biggest in the world?** Visit NSW calls it the biggest blowhole in the world, and Destination Kiama calls the blowholes world famous. What is certain is that the opening is 2.5 metres wide and plumes have been recorded at over 30 metres in a south-east swell, according to the NSW Government. **Are there toilets and a cafe at the Kiama Blowhole?** Yes. The public toilets on Blowhole Point are always open. There is a cafe, a gift shop, barbecues and a picnic area. Diggies Cafe sits next to the Kiama Visitor Information Centre, which Kiama Council lists as open daily except Christmas Day. Check hours before you go. Written by [](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/authors/joseph-joshua-ngushual/) ### Joseph Joshua Ngushual Kiama Travel Specialist Joseph Joshua Ngushual writes the Kiama Ridge Waters guides to Kiama and the NSW South Coast. He researches every guide against official sources such as Destination Kiama, Kiama Council and NSW National Parks, checks local businesses directly, and measures walking and driving times from the apartments, so you can plan beach days, walks, meals and day trips with accurate, current detail. - Kiama travel - NSW South Coast - Beaches and walks - Food and drink - Family trips - Trip planning [View all articles](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/authors/joseph-joshua-ngushual/)[](https://www.facebook.com/joshua.joseph.5648)[](https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephjoshuangushual/) ## Sources and useful links - [Destination Kiama: Blowholes](https://kiama.com.au/experience/iconic-wonders/blow-holes) - [Destination Kiama: Kiama Blowhole listing](https://kiama.com.au/listings/things-to-do/kiama-blowhole) - [Destination Kiama: Little Blowhole listing](https://kiama.com.au/listings/things-to-do/little-blowhole) - [NSW Government: Kiama Blowhole](https://www.nsw.gov.au/visiting-and-exploring-nsw/locations-and-attractions/kiama-blowhole) - [Visit NSW: Kiama Blowhole](https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/kiama-area/kiama-blowhole) - [Visit NSW: Kiama Blowhole Point Ocean Pool](https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/kiama-area/kiama/attractions/kiama-blowhole-point-ocean-pool) - [Kiama Council: Visitor Information Centre](https://www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Facilities/Visitor-Information-Centre-Kiama) - [Destination Kiama: Key landmarks (Pilot's Cottage Museum hours)](https://kiama.com.au/key-landmarks) - [Kiama Coast Holiday Parks (Kiama Council): Kiama Blowhole](https://www.kiamacoast.com.au/blog/kiama-blowhole/) - [Visit NSW: Kiama Lighthouse](https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/kiama-area/kiama/attractions/kiama-lighthouse) - [Visit NSW: Kiama Coast Walk](https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/kiama-area/kiama-coast-walk) - [Transport NSW trip planner](https://transportnsw.info/) ## Keep exploring Kiama [Landmarks and walks ### Little Blowhole in Kiama, and when to catch it spraying The Little Blowhole in Kiama is free, open 24/7 and sprays on north-east swells. Where to find it, parking, safety, when to go and the walk to Easts Beach. 6 min read](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/landmarks-and-walks/little-blowhole/)[Landmarks and walks ### Visit Kiama Lighthouse on Blowhole Point Kiama Lighthouse was first lit in 1887 and still works today. Parking on Blowhole Point, the Pilot's Cottage Museum, its history and the walk from town. 7 min read](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/landmarks-and-walks/kiama-lighthouse/)[Landmarks and walks ### Kiama Coast Walk guide to sections, times and where to start The Kiama Coast Walk (Kiama Coastal Walk) runs about 20 km from Minnamurra to Gerringong. Section times, the map, dog rules, Werri Lagoon and trains back. 7 min read](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/landmarks-and-walks/kiama-coast-walk/) [All landmarks and walks guides](https://ridgewaterskiama.com.au/explore-kiama/landmarks-and-walks/)