Fern St Gallery shows works that have been inspired by the craggy Illawarra escarpment; drop a few pins in your map app to visit local artists Robyn Sharp and Kerry Suttonberg at their studios, too.

The sound of Kiama, on the lands of Dharawal and Wodi Wodi, is the sound of water. Its name is derived from the Aboriginal word kiarama, which means ‘place where the sea makes a noise’. You can experience this at Kiama’s iconic blowholes, which showcase nature at its best: theatrical and wild. To get your best view of the Kiama Blowhole and Little Blowhole, walk along the pathway that curves down to a platform built into the sandstone.

Take surfing lessons, watch for dolphins and whales, or jump in a crisp ocean pool even on cool, sunny winter days.

Seven Mile Beach is a 7.8-mile stretch for swimming and surfing.

Boneyard Cove is great for snorkelling.

Kiama’s rich cultural landscape is very accessible due to the compact nature of the region, and a great way to learn about it all is with Gumaraa Aboriginal Experiences. Conducted on the banks of Minnamurra River, the tours celebrate the culture, traditions and history of the Dharawal and Yuin Nations.

Gumaraa means ‘wise old man’, and founder Richard Campbell has taken on the role of sharing the knowledge that was passed down to him by his elders. Take part in spear-making and art workshops, didgeridoo programs, canoeing and fishing tours, and listen to talks focusing on everything from bush tucker to boomerangs and Dreamtime stories.

Luxury Clay Experiences are for those who don’t want to leave the comfort of their coastal chic Kiama accommodation, as the Gerringong-based potters specialise in bringing all-inclusive luxury classes complete with floristry, catering and beverage packages.

A pop culture tour of the Kiama region should also include a tour of Stoic Brewing, where drinking beer and cider amid the towering vats is a vibe; expect live music on the weekend and exciting flavour-forward brews.

While there are a lot of great places to eat with kids in Kiama, it really lights up for a few bar bites and drinks on weekends after dark. The small-bar scene in Kiama is very compact, which makes it easy to get from A to B. Wait for the sky to turn velvet before stepping out for considered cocktails or small-batch local beers on tap.

Back in town, hire a bike from Kiama Cycles and take the 24-kilometre return ride along the shared path from Jones Beach. The 20-kilometre-long Kiama Coastal Walk is also an adventure.

Let brunch or lunch at a local cafe be your motivation to do a few laps in a sea pool to loosen your limbs and work up an appetite.For a sophisticated date night, your best bet is The Blue Swimmer at Seahaven.

Those seeking to spice it up will enjoy the Southeast Asian cuisine at Wildginger.

Start with a visit to Seven Marks Gallery on the outskirts of town to see the latest exhibitions featuring works by emerging and established local artists, as well as its artists in residence, Chick Butcher, Cobi Cockburn and Cesar Cueva. It also includes Courtesy of the Artist at Seven Marks, the second offshoot of the Strand Arcade jewellery store in Sydney’s CBD.

Kerry studied visual arts at the National Art School in Sydney, going on to have a career as an art teacher on the South Coast. After leaving teaching she has had the time and pleasure to enjoy her own art practice as well as teaching small groups of adults or children from her studio. In her own art she loves to explore new and different methods, media and subject matter.

The subject matter of her work is varied but she is particularly interested in the landscape of the South Coast. Her works of the local area including Kiama, Gerringong and Berry, would make the perfect keep sake of your summer holiday in the area or a great gift for someone who loves this beautiful part of the world. Kerry invites you to come along and check out her work and studio.

Visitors to Soul Clay Studios in Gerringong can try their hand at making pottery; find yourself fully immersed, elbow-deep in clay, for the Friday night Clay Date or Saturday Soul Sessions.

Wait for the sky to turn velvet before stepping out for considered cocktails or small-batch local beers on tap.

Keep an eye on the weather and wait for the Kiama sky to form a canopy of blue before heading to the weekly Kiama Farmers Market.