Park & nature
Kiama Blowhole
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The Kiama Blowhole is the star attraction of the seaside town of Kiama on the New South Wales south coast, one of the largest blowholes in the world. When the surf and wind are right, waves surge into a sea cave in the rocky headland and explode upward through a hole in the rock, sending spectacular plumes of seawater shooting dozens of metres into the air, often with a thunderous boom. The display is unpredictable and exhilarating, sometimes a gentle gush, sometimes a drenching eruption that catches onlookers by surprise. Beside it stands the photogenic Kiama Lighthouse on the grassy headland, with sweeping coastal views.
It's a free, family-friendly natural spectacle, floodlit at night, and the centrepiece of a lovely coastal town with rock pools, walks, and cafés. Conditions vary, so the bigger the swell (especially with a south-easterly), the more dramatic the show. Keep a safe distance, the eruptions are powerful and you can get soaked. Allow time to enjoy the headland, lighthouse, and town.
Don't miss
- Towering eruptions of seawater from the rock
- One of the world's largest blowholes
- The photogenic Kiama Lighthouse beside it
- Sweeping south-coast views
- A free, floodlit natural spectacle
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Kiama Blowhole
You don't need a tour to visit, entry is free. A tour is worth it if you want transport, a guide, or to combine Kiama Blowhole with nearby sights in one day. That's what these do well.
Cheapest way inGuided Koala Walk and Bushfire ecology tour4.8★ · 59 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$28 per personSee dates →
Most bookedWhale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat4.5★ · 3,030 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$107 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleSydney South Coast to Country Private Tour | Grand Pacific Drive4.9★ · 27 travelers~10 hoursFree cancellationFrom$490 per personSee dates →Good for
How travelers rate it
Getting there
Know before you go
- The bigger the swell (especially south-easterly), the bigger the eruptions.
- Keep a safe distance, you can get drenched, and the rocks are slippery.
- It's free and floodlit at night.
- Combine with the lighthouse, rock pools, and the seaside town.
A bit of history
The Kiama Blowhole has drawn visitors since the 19th century and became one of the region's earliest tourist attractions. Formed where the sea has carved a cave and vent into the volcanic basalt headland, it remains a defining natural landmark of the town, alongside the historic lighthouse.
Common questions
What is the Kiama Blowhole?
One of the world's largest blowholes, on the headland at Kiama, NSW, where waves surge into a sea cave and erupt upward through a hole in the rock in spectacular plumes.
When does it perform best?
When there's a large swell, particularly a south-easterly, the bigger the seas, the more dramatic and frequent the eruptions.
Is it free?
Yes, it's free to visit and is floodlit at night.
Is it safe?
Keep a safe distance behind the barriers, the eruptions are powerful, unpredictable, and can soak you, and the rocks get slippery.
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