HOT AIR BALLOONS KIAMA

Jamberoo is NSW's biggest fun park and there's a heap of fun and entertainment to be had. Think water thrills and spills, a massive wave pool, speed slides, rock jump, racing cars, the famous mountain toboggan…….and that's not even half of it.

The new ride'The Taipa is the park's new high thrill ride and not for the faint-hearted.
It's the first ride of its type in Australia - consisting of two giant slides that are totally in the dark! You will descend into a disorienting world of darkness with a terrifying ride of drops, twists and turns. You'll be bitten and back for more!
This world of fun for kids and kids-at-heart is only just over an hour south of Sydney and an easy day trip. The entry fee covers all rides, all day - it's all included. Bring your own food for a relaxed picnic in the beautiful scenic grounds - or choose from the wealth of tasty food outlets on site.
So bring your swimmers and the sunscreen and take on The Taipan, scream down The Toboggan and Hang Ten in the Wave Pool. Can you control the action in just one day?

The Boolarng Nangamai Aboriginal Art and Culture Studio is actively participating in a hands on approach to reconciliation in Australia. Come and observe Aboriginal artists at work. The studio is dedicated to Aboriginal cultural awareness featuring artworks, weaving, painting, drawing, tool making, bush toy making, dance, didgeridoo playing, storytelling, Aboriginal art consultancy and Aboriginal sites consultancy. The bush foods and medicine garden offers visitors a first hand look at available bush foods. A range of packaged bush tucker, handmade woven objects and artwork is available to purchase.

The historic old schoolhouse has a new lease on life. Just about everything you taste at The Schoolhouse is made using whatever is flowering and growing in the fields and forests nearby. The teas are grown organically at Foxground. Cheese is made on-site using the freshest, pasture-fed local milk. Enjoy high tea, cheese for two or a private tasting function by appointment. Savour the flavours of the South Coast - you won't be disappointed!

Jamberoo Golf Club is just 30 minutes south of Wollongong, nestled in the lush, green Jamberoo Valley and embraced by Hyam's Creek and the Minnamurra River. Not a long course at 4,842 metres, par 67, but to play well demands accuracy and strategy. With stunning rural, bush and mountain views, some 96 native bird species identified on course, friendly Eastern Water Dragons and other abundant wildlife, Jamberoo Golf Course is the natural place to play.

“The Links Shell Cove is a unique and picturesque golf course located in the Illawarra region on the South Coast of NSW. Once referred to as the “Beast of the East” due to its challenging nature, The Links has transformed itself into a golf course known for its friendly, inviting atmosphere and is an enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels.

With four tee options choose from, the friendly golf operations staff will help you choose your own adventure to ensure you really do, “Love the Experience”.

The Links is unique in that it is not your usual 'Golf Club' - the golf course is in fact attached to a licensed hotel. The Links Hotel is a family friendly, modern and stylish establishment with sweeping views over the golf course. Golfers will also love the fully stocked golf shop with their friendly, professional staff.

Bonaira Native Gardens feature established rainforest species. Explore the magical and peaceful oasis by foot or bike and pack a picnic lunch for the family. The walk takes 30 minutes and passes a moving monument dedicated to the Wodi Wodi people - the local Aboriginal tribe. An attraction the whole family will love!

Gerringong Golf Club, situated along the coast just south of Gerringong, is a Par 72 championship 18 hole golf course, with views to impress! The course provides magnificent views across farmland to the mountains, whilst a deserted beach forms part of the boundary. The small club house is open daily, providing cart and club hire, drinks and limited food.

Bushrangers Bay is an aquatic reserve located at the eastern end of Bass Point Reserve. The bay is well known as a top diving and snorkelling location due to its sheltered position. The bay is three hectares in size extending from the mean high water mark to the seabed on the outer boundary. As this is an aquatic reserve for plant and animal species, divers are requested to take care when touching soft corals as they break off easily. Within the reserve you cannot fish or destroy marine life. You are not permitted to collect dead or alive marine organisms, this includes empty shells. One of the most striking features within the reserve is a cliff shaped like an amphitheatre in 10 metres of water, the cliffs are six metres high with hundreds of small cavities which are home to sea urchins and tropical fish.

Kiama Art Gallery specialises in modern European and Australian art, and is open by appointment only. The Gallery collection has a range of beautiful original works and prints, lithographs, etchings, pochoirs and reproductions (both framed and unframed) by well known international, national and local artists, as well as ceramic and glass giftware. Kiama Art Gallery is a relaxed gallery, which presents art works from the early 20th century through to more contemporary styles. Visit their website for more information on their warm and welcoming gallery in Kiama, or contact Andrea Hope to make an appointment to view the works in her home based gallery. Andrea can also give advice and assistance on what's happening in the local art scene.

Thai @ Kiama serves beautiful freshly prepared meals full of great flavours. The restaurant is warmly welcoming with friendly staff. They are fully licensed (BYO wine) and are air conditioned. Located in the heart of Kiama, on Collins Street next to Kiama Leagues Club, Thai @ Kiama is the perfect location for your next lunch or dinner.

Budderoo National Park is located on 7,120 hectares, five kilometres west of Jamberoo. The park is home to Minnamurra Rainforest Centre, a multi award winning tourism destination which allows you to explore the rainforests that once blanketed the Illawarra region. Boardwalks and paved tracks take you along the forest floor and up through a range of rainforest environments, on your way to the magical Minnamurra Falls. Up on the plateau above the rainforest, the park offers excellent walking tracks with views across sandstone heaths and woodlands and towards the Illawarra coast. The lookouts and picnic areas at Carrington Falls, where the Kangaroo River plunges over the escarpment, are well worth a visit. Carrington Falls has many lookouts and walking tracks which offer good views. Facilities within the park include a kiosk, picnic and barbecue areas, toilets and wheelchair access.

Located in beautiful Gerringong, Jock's Bakery and Cafe offer a variety of freshly baked pastries along with breakfasts, salad bars, and coffee. All that is needed to kick start your day! All freshly baked goodies are made daily on the premises, and Jock's Bakery and Cafe also provide specialty cakes to order.

The Crooked River commercial winery produces over 100,000 bottles of soft wines and ports each year. The vineyard and location provide a perfect back drop to the surrounding mountains and ocean vistas. Crooked River Winery and Vineyard is situated 1.5 hours from Sydney Airport, 10 minutes from Kiama and two minutes drive from Gerringong Railway Station on Willow Vale Road just off the Princes Highway. Tours available, bus groups by appointment.

Cafe Parkview an award winning cafe is conveniently situated in the main street of Kiama. Enjoy the light and gourmet meals by qualified chefs, homemade cakes and chocolates. This is a meeting spot for locals with the finest, smoothest coffee made by trained baristas. They have authentic Italian gelato and sorbets and their unique drink menu including chillers. A kids menu is also available.

Barren Grounds Nature Reserve is located on one of the most southerly plateaus of the Sydney Basin and has been a protected area for over 40 years. Surrounding the reserve is an escarpment of sandstone approximately 230-250 million years old which forms the bedrock. The reserve contains a wide variety of habitats including heath, woodland and tall forest. Excellent bushwalking gives walkers fantastic views of the Illawarra coastline and surrounding countryside. Picnic facilities are located here. Barren Grounds is home to a diverse array of wildlife including the threatened Ground Parrot, Eastern Bristlebird, the Long-nosed Potoroo and more than 500 species of plants. Located at the top of Jamberoo pass this 1750 hectare nature reserve is an established bird watcher's mecca. Walks include Griffiths Track, an eight kilometre walk through woodlands and heath. Cooks Nose Lookout is a six kilometre return walk. Trail brochure available at the Kiama Visitor's Centre.

Minnamurra Rainforest Centre is a multi-award winning nature based destination, and is one of the best examples of subtropical and warm temperate rainforest that once covered vast areas of the Illawarra region.

This rainforest is situated in Budderoo National Park which is less than two hours drive south of Sydney, located 15 kilometres west of Kiama on the NSW South Coast.

The centre offers visitors the opportunity to experience the rainforest area via a network of raised walkways and paved tracks. The 'Loop Walk' is a 1.6 kilometre walk (45-minutes duration) which meanders through a diversity of rainforest types.

The 2.6 kilometres (return) 'Falls Walk' will lead you safely along the canyon cliff edge to the Upper Minnamurra Falls. This walk is slightly more challenging and will require an additional one hour walk time.

Total of both walks is 4.2 kilometre and visitors should allow two hours to do both.

Kiama's famous Blowhole is the largest in the world! A viewing platform with disabled access gives good views of Kiama blowhole. This landmark has attracted people to the region for over 100 years, was first sighted by George Bass when he anchored his whale boat in the sheltered bay, now known as Kiama harbour, in December 1797. It is estimated that 600,000 people visit the Blowhole per year to view the spectacular plumes of water that can be seen when the seas are running from the south east. Only a short distance from the town centre and railway station, the Kiama blowhole has picnic areas and rock pool nearby. The Beach and Bush Cafe, Visitors Information Centre and toilets are also located nearby and are open 9am to 5pm.

Blackbutt Forest is a 250 hectare reserve and is the last remaining viable remnant of coastal plain forest in the Illawarra region. There are extensive picnic tables and electric barbecue facilities located at strategic points throughout the reserve; amenity blocks and fully equipped children's play ground. Blackbutt has wonderful walking tracks for all ages and a cross country course great for running and cycling. There is a fitness circuit which includes climbing frames, chin-up bars and sit-up benches. An outdoor amphitheatre is located within the reserve with seating for up to 400 people which makes it great for weddings, entertainment and events. While dominated by the tall Blackbutt trees, many other varieties of trees abound including red gum, stringy bark, grey box, coast white box. The trails offer panoramic views of Lake Illawarra, Macquarie Pass, Illawarra Escarpment and Saddleback Mountain.

Minnamurra Beach also referred to as 'Mystics' is a favourite with the locals. Mystics Beach stretches from the rocky headland towards the volcanic outcrop known as Stack Island (aka Rangoon Island). This stretch of beach forms a sand spit, behind which is the estuary of Minnamurra River. The natural setting features small areas of vegetation with a view out to stunning Stack island. Day visits are popular with people coming for the scenery, surfing, BBQ and picnics. Mystics Beach forms part of the National Surfing Reserve at Killalea State Park and is a popular well known location for surfing. The swell from the south make good left breaking off the point over shallow sand a rock bottom, holding plenty of swell.

This award-winning cottage industry is on the site of the Old Toolijooa School, beside the Princes Highway about two kilometres south of Gerringong. The old school residence is still there, and in the workshop behind it there are the usual pottery wheels and kilns, and a gallery where finished pots are on display. The potters create mugs, teapots, bowls and casseroles and similar useful things, and often just for fun, owls and pussycats, pelicans, wombats, dragons and little stoneware animals. See lots of pictures on their website. Visitors are always welcome. Depending on the day, you may see pots being made, fired, or glazed. Or just browse about in the display room to see the wide variety of finished items. If you want to be sure the workshop is open, feel free to phone ahead.

Bass Point Reserve is a 72 hectares coastal jewel, located just south of Shellharbour Village and contains one of the few littoral rainforest areas in the Illawarra. The reserve is listed on the register of the Australian Heritage Commission and is recognised as one of the most important archaeological sites on the NSW coast. 17,000 years before the Egyptians built the pyramids the Aboriginal people were using Bass Point as a regular campsite. A self guided indigenous walk is on site with plaques highlighting detailed information. Bass Point in May 1943 - the American merchant ship 'Cities Services Boston' sank off Bass Point and although no sailors' lives were lost, four Australian soldiers who went to the aid of the ship's crew were drowned. An annual service is held. Bass Point has great fishing and is a well known diving location. A boat ramp and public amenities are also available.