Kiama Coast Walk

The Kiama Coast Walk runs 21.7 km down the Illawarra coast, and the northern leg from Minnamurra to Kiama is the one most people walk: roughly 9 km of headland, sealed path and stairs, with a train station at each end. Dogs come on lead, and the deciding fact is what sits either side of the path. Kiama Council keeps dogs off the sand and out of the water at the beaches unless a sign says otherwise.

The walk

Graded moderate. The full 21.7 km takes about five hours and the northern section about three. The surface changes constantly, from sealed pathway to mown grass, timber stairs and stretches of open headland, with Cathedral Rocks and the basalt columns at Bombo along the way. Gentle hills rather than climbs.

Leash status

Kiama Municipal Council manages the walk and dogs must be on lead along it. The restrictions are more specific than most councils, so they are worth knowing. Dogs are not permitted on beaches, on the sand or in the water, unless you are standing in a designated off-leash area. All water areas of the Minnamurra River are closed to dogs, as is the reserve between James Oates and Rangoon Reserves at the northern trailhead. In parks, dogs are restricted to the footpaths on the outside perimeters. Stay 10 m clear of playground equipment and of public barbecues and kiosks, and off sports fields during organised sport. Signed off-leash reserves exist at the Minnamurra and Bombo headlands, sunrise to sunset, with the dog leashed again the moment you leave them.

Max: The path runs along unfenced clifftop in places. Keep the lead short on the headland sections even if your recall is good, because the edges are undercut and the wind comes off the sea hard.

Water and terrain

Toilets and drinking water are at Bombo Beach and at points near the main access roads, but there are long stretches with nothing. Carry water. The beach swim your dog is angling for is not available on most of this route, so the off-leash headland patches are the release valve.

Getting there and parking

Minnamurra Station sits at the northern start and Kiama Station is at the southern end, which makes this the rare long walk you can do one way. The train between them takes about ten minutes, and dogs travel on NSW trains on a lead or in a carrier. Driving, park on Charles Avenue at Minnamurra.

When to go

Early morning or a weekday. Weekends crowd badly around the Blowhole end. May to November is whale season off the headlands. Skip the clifftop sections in high wind or heavy rain. Good for big runners with the distance in them, and easy to shorten to a single headland stretch for seniors.

While you're out there

Minnamurra General Store & Cafe is at the northern trailhead, and Diggies Kiama and Beck's Kiama both seat dogs outside at the Kiama end. The Loves Bay via Kiama Blowholes walk covers the southern harbour end, and Werri Beach Holiday Park at Gerringong takes pets if you are staying the weekend. The NSW trails guide and Minnamurra destination page list more.