Kiama to Wollongong drive: Coastal route or Princes Highway?
The coastal drive from Kiama to Wollongong is 35km in distance, with a driving time of around 35 minutes.
The drive from Kiama to Wollongong in New South Wales isn’t a particularly long one, but there’s plenty to see on the way. If you’re doing a road trip coming up the south of New South Wales, you could easily spend a day on the Kiama to Wollongong drive.
6 fantastic Wollongong experiences to book before you arrive
- Tandem hang-gliding flight from Bald Hill – float down towards the beach.
- One hour private surf lesson in Woonona – learn the basics, and get standing on your board.
- Illawarra Fly ziplining course and treetop walk – test your nerves high up in the canopy.
- Tandem skydive with beach landing – feel the rush of freefall.
- Explore the city on a scavenger hunt – a fun way to get to know Wollongong better.
- Half day deep sea fishing adventure – haul in some big boys.
Kiama to Wollongong distance and driving time
The distance from Kiama to Wollongong by car is 35km along the coastal route. Go this way, and you can expect a driving time of around 35 minutes. It’s marginally quicker to go the long way round via the Princes Highway, however. You should cover the 42km distance in about 33 minutes.
Go the inland route and you pass the western shore of Lake Illawarra, heading through Albion Park and Dapto. You also pass the Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple on the way into central Wollongong.
Kiama to Wollongong coastal drive
But let’s stick to the coastal route, because it’s simply more fun. If you’ve not already explored Kiama’s top attractions, do so on the way out. Watch the Kiama Blowhole explode, swim in the Blowhole Point Ocean Pool and see the big basalt columns at the Bombo Headland.
Once out of Kiama, there are several excellent beaches that should grab the attention. Minnamurra Beach – also known as Mystics – ends in a photogenic sandy spit at the mouth of the Minnamurra River. Killalea Beach – aka the Farm – is a National Surfing Reserve.
Kiama to Wollongong drive: Shellharbour beaches and paddleboarding
There are also several beaches in Shellharbour, of which Warilla Beach curving round towards Windang Island is the most impressive.
Just before crossing the Windang Bridge over Lake Illawarra, you’ll spot Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour, which offers paddleboarding lessons.
On the other side of the bridge you can head to Windang Beach, arguably the most impressive of Wollongong’s southern beaches.
Other Wollongong beaches in the Australian Beaches Guide include Thirroul Beach, Austinmer Beach, Corrimal Beach, Stanwell Park Beach and North Wollongong Beach.
The route then skirts around Port Kembla into the city centre.
Wollongong accommodation options include the apartment-style Adina, the facility-centric Novotel Northbeach and golfer favourite, the Best Western City Sands.
More New South Wales travel
See dolphins on the Tea Gardens ferry across Port Stephens from Nelson Bay.
Catch the Scotland Island ferry from Church Point on Pittwater.
Is it worth visiting the Tilba Winery?
Tackle the walking trails of Mount Canobolas near Orange.