2025 is here, and with plenty of long summer days still waiting to be enjoyed, it’s another great opportunity to get those Maxxis tyres rolling! For our first road trip of the year, we’ll be heading from Sydney to Kiama with its famous blowhole (the world’s largest!), the perfect starting point for exploring the sunny seaside town. Under two hours from Sydney (just over 120km on Grand Pacific Drive), it’s a picture-perfect ride that’s not only packed with spectacular views, but also has plenty of sights to stop in at along the way.
Best tyres for the drive
With the road sealed all the way a 4×4 is not necessary to get the most out of this experience, and Maxxis has a wide range of tyres expertly designed to suit just about every type of vehicle. Use our online tyre finder or head into one of our friendly and professional Maxxis dealers who are always ready to help with advice on the best ones for you and your lifestyle! If you’re driving an SUV, make sure you check out the new all-terrain RAZR AT-S! This latest addition to the much-loved RAZR range is getting plenty of attention as a versatile tyre for both on- and off-road adventures, offering outstanding grip, handling and an ultra-safe and quiet ride.
Sights and pitstops along the way
If you’re not in a hurry, this is an awesome trip to take your time and smell the roses! Just an hour into the trip from Sydney, purchase a day pass ($12 per vehicle) to the picturesque Royal National Park for some hiking, swimming, biking or birdwatching – you can also hire a kayak from Audley Boatshed (near Loftus) for a paddle on the Hacking River. Then take in the views at Stanwell Tops and also from the renowned (and majestic) 665m Sea Cliff Bridge, before stopping in at the lovely coastal town of Austinmer (with beach, rock pools and waterfront café) for a laidback coffee or brunch or a picnic under the pines. Next up there’s Thirroul (with yet another golden beach along with saltwater swimming pool) and Flagstaff Hill at Wollongong Harbour with no less than two lighthouses and delivering impressive coastal panoramas for miles around!
What to see and do in Kiama
With a year-round seaside town holiday vibe, Kiama is a great place to be. Along with heaps of cafes, restaurants and ice cream and fish and chip shops, here are just a few of the ‘must-do’s’ to get your visit started…
The Blowhole: When at its peak, water from the blowhole can spurt out as high as 30m! While this won’t happen every day, the area around the blowhole is still awesome at any time with two ocean rock pools nearby for swimming — plus a well kitted-out picnic area.
The Beaches: Kiama and its surrounds are home to numerous beaches for swimming, surfing, walking and just kicking back and relaxing. Surf Beach (right in Kiama) is patrolled during summer months), while other nearby favourites include Jones Beach and Boneyard Beach for snorkelling.
Cathedral Rocks: The Blowhole isn’t the only natural, geological wonder in the Kiama area. Cathedral Rocks at the southern end of Jones Beach (3km from Kiama), is another awesome example of eroded volcanic rock – and a proven backdrop for the perfect photo!
Art, crafts, markets & shows: Kiama is also a happening place for art and crafts with the Sevenmarks Gallery hosting the works of contemporary artists (open Fridays and Saturdays and by appointment). The Kiama Farmers Market (held every Wednesday) is the perfect place to pick up fresh local produce straight from farmers in the region, while the Gerringong Rotary Markets (just over 10 minutes from Kiama) are held on the third Saturday of the month. If you’re keen to browse for a perfect gift, the Kiama Seaside Markets, held on the third Sunday of the month, are brimming with arts, crafts, jewellery and plenty more to choose from. If you plan your trip soon, you may also be just in time to get in on the action at the Kiama Show (on from 24 to 25 January) at the Kiama Showgrounds (right next to Surf Beach).
Walks, trails and adventure activities: The 20km Kiama Coastal Walk along beaches, paths and grass tracks stretches from the Minnamurra River in the north to Werri Beach, in Gerringong in the south. This is a great walk (without being overly challenging) to see some fantastic views and take in sights of the area including Cathedral Rocks, the Blowhole and some of the amazing coastline. And, if you’re keen to ride a wave (but not the beach kind) in yet another picturesque setting, the famous Jamberoo Action Park is literally just around the corner from Kiama – it’s a quick 11-minute drive away!
Stay a while: If you’ve still got some leave up your sleeve and want to stay overnight (or longer), there are plenty of accommodation options from caravan and camp sites to self-catering apartments, hotels and even glamping in Kiama and the surrounding areas. Like most of Australia’s coastal locations, Kiama can get super busy over school holidays and other peak times so it’s advisable to check out accommodation availability ahead of your trip.
Before you go Check those tyres while they are still cool! While it may seem like a bit of a yawn making sure your tyres are correctly inflated, the right tyre pressure is essential for your vehicle’s performance and safety as well as fuel efficiency. Tyre pressure details for your vehicle can be found on the panel on the inside of the driver’s door or in your vehicle owner’s manual. As it’s bushfire season, it’s also very important to keep a close eye on fire danger ratings and any active warnings before setting off on any road trip. And if you need to fill up, you can use the Fuel Check app to find the best fuel prices at servos on your way!
