Kiama Coast Walk - Gerringong to Loves Bay

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A great way to explore and enjoy the beautiful coastline of the Gerringong and Kiama region is along the spectacular Kiama Coast Walk. Stretching twenty-two scenic kilometres from Minnamurra in the north, to Kiama and Gerringong in the south, it features many highlights from spectacular ocean views, beautiful beaches and whale watching during winter and spring.



I know what you're thinking.... twenty-two kilometres sounds like a long way to walk, however, if this does sound a little ambitious for you, the walk can be broken up in to three smaller sections:

Section 1 - Minnamurra to Blowhole Point
Section 2 - Blowhole Point to Loves Bay
Section 3 - Loves Bay to Gerringong.

It is this final section, from Gerringong to Loves Bay, which I will highlight here.

Our starting point, on a clear winters day, was Werri Lagoon in Gerringong. Access is from Werri Street where, at the entrance to the beach, there is a map and information about the walk. From Werri Lagoon the distance to Loves Bay is 6 kilometres or for the energetic12 kilometres return.



The walk starts at the gate on the northern side of the lagoon, however, it is important to note that after heavy rain Werri Lagoon may be open to the sea, restricting access to the walk.
From the gate, it's a short walk up a hill, past private farmland before we come to our first dramatic view of the ocean.

At the crest of the hill, two Dreaming Poles welcome visitors to Wodi-Wodi and Dharawal land. They represent scarred trees and are a reminder of the rich and continuous Aboriginal cultural heritage of this area. It is important to remember that we walk in their footsteps here, to places they have known for thousands of years. From The Dreaming Poles looking south, you are rewarded with views of the rugged cliffs, pounding surf and rock pools below.



From this point, the path meanders along the coastline, with lush green farmland on one side and the dramatic cliffs and untamed beaches on the other. The spectacular coastal views extend to the north and south, with plenty of photo opportunities around every bend.





The history of this walk is interesting. When original land grants were made here in the 1800s, a strip of public land was actually set aside for access between the private properties and the high watermark. Unfortunately, there were two properties where public land was not established and this omission blocked legal public access to this section of shoreline for about 170 years. It wasn't until 2008 that the connecting lands were acquired enabling legal and safe public access to this stretch of coast. It is certainly a case of better late than never!

Along the walk, you will find interesting interpretive plaques which display information about the history of the land, how it has been used over time, its features and geology. You wouldn't know it from its cleared appearance today but this area was once dominated by a vast rainforest known as the Long Brush and there is still a small, isolated patch of remnant rainforest which you can access along the walk.



There are many other points of interest on this walk including geological features such as sea caves, sea stacks, dykes and boulder beaches. There are also glimpses of historic homesteads as well as more modern clifftop homes along the way. In some sections, the path takes you close to the railway line and you can glimpse some of the historic railway tunnels in the mountains. Between May and June as well as September and November each year there is also the possibility of spotting some whales as they migrate along the coast. But for me, the biggest drawcard would have to be the dramatic and spectacular coastal views.



This walk is really well signposted, including route markers at 1 kilometre intervals and numerous interpretive plaques which describe the history of the sites. There are also a few bench seats along the way for those who may need a breather or just want to relax and soak in the views. For those who have small children, it's important to be aware that some parts of the walk are along unprotected cliff tops, so children should be supervised at all times.





It took us a leisurely two and a half hours to walk to Loves Bay. If you are starting from the Loves Bay end access is via Elanora Road, Kiama Heights. The walk is classified as a moderate grade or Class 4. There are lots of hills and some steep sections. After rain, the track can be wet and muddy.



Our aim for the day was to go a little further than Loves Bay, by walking a further 2.5 kilometres to Kiama and then catching the train back to Gerringong. This next section of the walk is less isolated and more residential, taking you along Easts Beach, past the Little Blowhole, along the pretty Kendalls Beach and then on to Surf Beach and Kiama.

The Gerringong to Loves Bay section of the Kiama Coast Walk is a lovely way to spend some time outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and beautiful views. On a weekday you may be lucky enough to have the walk to yourself, however, weekends are usually much busier.

What to take: Good walking shoes, hat, water bottle, camera / phone and sunscreen

Public toilets can be found at the entrance to Werri Lagoon and at Loves Bay.

For further information on this section of the walk or any of the additional sections please click here or call Kiama Visitor Centre on 1300 654 262.

To view a map of the Kiama Coast Walk please click here.

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