Kiama works because you can park the car and let the coastline set the pace. The blowhole is a starting point, not the whole itinerary; the larger reward is the relationship between the town, headlands and escarpment.
Friday: arrive and stay local
Choose accommodation within walking distance of dinner if possible. A short headland stroll is a better first-night goal than chasing a sunset after a congested drive from Sydney.
Saturday: walk a section, not a target
The Kiama Coast Walk can be approached in sections. Choose one that suits conditions and arrange the return before setting out. Exposed coastal walking needs sun protection, water and wind or rain layers even when the town feels mild.
Use the afternoon for Kiama itself or continue briefly to Gerringong and Gerroa. Trying to include Wollongong, Kiama, Berry and Jervis Bay in one day turns a coastal weekend into a transport exercise.
Sunday: escarpment or village
Choose Minnamurra Rainforest or Jamberoo when park access and weather suit; otherwise keep the day coastal and add one local town. Return traffic can build, so check conditions before committing to a long lunch.
Driving the scenic way
The Grand Pacific Drive via the Royal National Park and Sea Cliff Bridge is a journey, not merely a motorway substitute. Check park access, road conditions and daylight. When time is tight, use the direct route and save the scenic section for a separate day.