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Kiama has more short-term rental properties than hotels by a significant margin. For most visitors, a self-contained holiday home makes more sense than a hotel room – you get a kitchen, a proper outdoor space, and overall more space. The range runs from compact beach apartments sleeping two to architectural beach houses sleeping twelve.
Kiama rentals
Before picking a property, it pays to know a few things first:
“Beachfront” doesn’t always mean what it says. It can mean anything from a direct dune-access gate to a property that’s across a road, or a few hundred metres via a path. Read the description carefully and look at the map position, not just the label.
“Ocean views” varies widely. A sliver of blue from a second-floor window and an unobstructed 180-degree panorama are both marketed as ocean views. Look at the photos specifically for the view the property offers.
Proximity to town. Kiama has no Uber Eats. If you want to walk to coffee, the harbour or the main street, you need to be within a walking distance to the Kiama centre. Properties in Gerringong, Gerroa or Minnamurra are beautiful but you’ll need a car for everything.
Peak season bookings go in August. Christmas, Easter and long weekends from October to April fill months in advance. The people arriving in December booked in August. If you’re planning a peak stay, don’t wait.
For couples
In our opinion, these three options offer the best combination of ocean proximity, privacy and a location.
Oceanview Kiama
Oceanview Kiama. Source: oceanviewkiama.com.au
Right at Bombo Beach, this compact self-contained apartment offers an unobstructed view of the ocean from the balcony. The interior is clean and white with timber accents. It’s fairly small — one queen bed plus two single sofa beds sleeping up to four. A full kitchen and separate dining space are convient for couples’ stay.
The train line runs nearby, which is useful if you’re planning to walk sections of the Kiama Coast Walk and train back to the start rather than doubling back. The location is particularly good for photographers: Bombo Quarry and Cathedral Rocks are a short walk, and the morning light on the headland is incredible all year-round.
Book Oceanview Kiama
Onyx Loft
Source: www.onyxfarm.com.au
Set within a 60-acre working farm in Gerringong, this is a two-person property that trades beach proximity for seclusion. Views extend from green hills to the ocean. There’s a private courtyard, a fire pit and a BBQ. A Nespresso machine on the bench and a TV at the foot of the bed are the only encouragement you need to stay put. Werri Beach is a 10-minute drive and the Gerringong main street, with its decent cafes and bottle shop, is close enough that you’re not isolated.
Best for couples who prioritise space and quiet and don’t mind the extra drive. If you’re doing a weekend in the area but are not keen on the beach location, this might be for you.
Onyx Loft on Airbnb
Tiny Kiama
Tiny Kiama. Source: Vrbo.com
A two-level tiny house tucked into a hillside on the edge of town, sleeping two adults with a sofa bed option for one child. A loft bedroom, a projector for streaming, a kitchenette and a small veranda are the basics. It’s a 5-minute drive to Terralong Street and the harbour. Lovely and charming, not on the beach, priced accordingly.
Tiny Kiama on Vrbo
For families
Once you have kids, different things take priority. IYKYK, right? We zeroed in on beach proximity without a road crossing, workable kitchens, and suitable spaces for kids and parents alike.
Kiama Haven
Kiama Haven on Easts Beach. Source: airbnb.com.au
One hundred metres from Easts Beach by foot, this three-bedroom house has covered upper and lower decks, a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and Nespresso, reverse-cycle air conditioning and two bathrooms. The owners include a trail bike, too. It’s on the Kiama Coast Walk, so the path to the beach, blowhole and harbour is walkable from the front door.
Good for families with kids old enough to appreciate the bike and the beach access. The outdoor deck setup makes it easy to eat outside most evenings. Kiama with Kids guide has the full rundown on what’s within range.
Kiama Haven on Airbnb
La Terrasse
La Terasse Kiama. Source: Booking.com
A three-bedroom property in central Kiama sleeping up to seven, with two ensuite bathrooms and a separate bathroom, two car parks and a full-width balcony with ocean views. Surf Beach is a short walk. The town centre and Manning Street cafes are within walking range. The split-level layout creates separation between adult and kid zones, which makes it more functional for families than for groups of friends.
It’s positioned in a residential street so it’s fairly quiet. A good option for families who want to be in the heart of Kiama rather than on a headland or in a rural area.
La Terrasse on Booking.com
Kiama House
Kiama House. Source: Airbnb.com.au
Three bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening to a 180-degree ocean view and a 1980s arcade game room (PacMan and pinball) that will keep children occupied for hours. Sleeps eight across two levels, with a dedicated kids’ room featuring bunk beds and a trundle. The main living area and dining space sit on the lower floor, with all bedrooms upstairs. A 15-minute walk to town centre.
The view is the winner here: the glass doors make the ocean the backdrop to the entire stay. Worth it for families where the adults want a view and the kids want entertainment.
Kiama Home on Airbnb
For groups
Properties where the bedroom and bathroom count justifies splitting costs.
Salty Palms Luxury Villas
Salty Palm Villas. Source:saltypalms.com.au
Four separate villas at 2 Henley Ave in Kiama, all managed together and bookable individually or in combination. Each villa has 3 bedrooms (two queen rooms and a bunk room), two bathrooms and sleeps up to eight. A short walk to Kendalls Beach. Inclusions: fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, fireplace, terrace, free parking, washer and free WiFi. If you need more than eight people, booking two villas side by side is an option most group houses in Kiama can’t match.
Consistently well-reviewed for condition, cleanliness and owner communication.
Salty Palms Luxury Villas
Dovecote — The Headland
Dovecote Gerringong. Source: Dovecote.com.au.
Two separate architect-designed houses on 150 acres of farmland in Gerringong. The Headland is the larger: four bedrooms, sleeps eight, private pool, deck and a position looking out to sea with the Kiama Coast Walk metres from the door. Werri Beach is accessible on foot. The Range is the smaller option: two bedrooms, private pool, suited to couples or a small family who want high-end finishes without the group-house price.
Dovecote won the Housing Industry Association’s Australian House of the Year in 2019. A horror movie The Invisible Man (2020) was shot at this location, too.
For groups where the stay itself is the occasion, this is the best option in the wider region.
Dovecote
Casa Mar Azul
Casa Mar Azul. Source: Facebook.com
A 12-person architectural beach house on North Kiama Drive in Kiama Downs, positioned above the coast with large-format ocean views. Sleeps 12 across multiple bedrooms and comes in at the higher end of the local market. This is the property for large families combining two households, or groups of friends marking something significant. There’s not much competition at this sleep capacity and price point in Kiama.
Contact directly via the Kiama Downs holiday rental market, on 0407 665 036 or email hello@ozglamping.com.
For dog owners
Kiama is one of the most dog-friendly towns in NSW. Off-leash beaches include the southern end of Bombo Beach and Jones Beach. Werri Beach in Gerringong is also dog-friendly. The most important thing when booking is confirming whether the yard is fenced as not all pet-friendly listings specify this clearly.
The Werri Shack
The Werri Shack, Gerringong. Source: Booking.com
Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, in Gerringong. The yard is fully fenced. Werri Beach has an off-leash zone and is walking distance. Inside: Sonos sound system, PlayStation, table tennis and a generous double-storey layout that is very generous. The furnishing is more considered than a typical coastal rental.
The Werri Shack on Booking.com
Kendalls Beach Cottage
Kendalls Beach Cottage. Source: Airbnb.com.au
A modern three-bedroom house directly across from Kendalls Beach, fully fenced and pet-friendly. Kendalls is one of the more sheltered beaches in the area, good for morning walks along the sand. Centrally managed by a professional rental agency and consistently well-reviewed for condition and cleanliness.
Kendalls Beach Cottage on Airbnb
When to book
Generally, for anything in December, January, Easter or a long weekend between October and April, you should be looking in August or September at the latest. The best properties at peak times are gone by September.
For mid-week stays in autumn or winter, availability is generally good with 3–4 weeks’ notice, and prices are significantly lower. Winter in Kiama is mild enough that the coastal walks, cafes and restaurants are all still operating, this is not a town that closes in June. Bonus if it rains – the Blowhole might put on an extra show for you.
Booking platforms
Many Kiama holiday homes appear on both Airbnb and VRBO. Prices are generally the same across platforms, but service fees vary: Airbnb typically charges a higher service fee to guests than VRBO. For a long or expensive stay, it’s worth checking both and comparing the total with fees included.
For the full range of accommodation options across the Kiama region, the Where to Stay in Kiama: The Complete Guide covers everything from holiday parks to boutique hotels.
FAQ
Do Kiama Airbnbs and holiday houses allow pets?
Some do, most don’t. The properties above that explicitly allow pets are The Werri Shack and Kendalls Beach Cottage. Always confirm with the host before booking. A fenced yard is worth asking about specifically if your dog is likely to wander.
What does “beachfront” actually mean in Kiama?
It varies significantly by property. Some have direct dune access. Others are across a road or a short walk via a path. Read the listing description carefully and look at the map location rather than relying on the label.
Is it cheaper to book on Airbnb or VRBO?
The nightly rate is usually the same. VRBO tends to have lower service fees for guests. For a 3-night stay at a budget accommodation it may not matter much. For a week at a large villa, check the total on both platforms before confirming.
How far in advance should I book a Kiama holiday house?
For peak periods (Christmas, Easter, school holidays, long weekends in summer), 3–6 months is realistic. For shoulder season or mid-week stays, 4–6 weeks is usually sufficient for most properties.
Is Kiama walkable without a car?
If you’re staying within the Kiama township, yes. The harbour, blowhole, main cafes and several beaches are walkable. Properties in Gerringong, Gerroa or Minnamurra require a car for most activities.
