Kiama
Cathedral Rock, Kiama, circa 1900
Is a township 120 kilometres south of Sydney in the Illawarra, New South Wales, Australia in the Municipality of Kiama. At the 2006 census, Kiama had a population of 12,286 people. One of the main tourist attractions is the Kiama Blowhole. The seaside town features several popular surfing beaches, caravan parks and numerous alfresco cafes and restaurants. It is the first country town south of Sydney, and attracts a large number of day trippers.
History
Kiama was the site of two strong volcanic flows, called the Gerringong Volcanics, which came out of Saddleback Mountain, now a collapsed volcanic vent. The Kiama Blowhole is part of an erosion process on the more recent rock, formed into columnar basalt, or latite. Before the cedar-getters ( a rowdy mob of ex-convicts, convicts and runaways, some with cedar licences and many without) had even arrived in the area, around 1810, the local Indigenous Australians Wodi Wodi of the language group Dharawal had been using the land for thousands of years, moving every six weeks or so in family groups. This is supported by a midden of shells at nearby Bass Point used for more than 17,000 years. During this time the whole coastal hills was covered in rainforest and cedar brush. There is evidence of a flourishing culture with intricate possum cloaks, a developed song and story cycle and a deep understanding of the many plants of the rainforest. Only a few remnants of rainforest survive along the escarpment in places like the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre. There is strong evidence of recent sea debris showing a mega-tsunami hit this coast around 1487 A.D according to Dr Ted Bryant of Wollongong University. The first European to explore the area was George Bass who stopped there on his whaleboat voyage to Bass Strait on December 6, 1797. He noted the beauty and complexity of the Kiama area and was astounded when he first discovered the blowhole.
Kiama
During the colonisation of Australia, the Kiama area was settled by wheat farmers as the soil was volcanic and rain-swept unlike most of Australia. Early Jamberoo was the population centre from about 1830 to the 1860s and when the wheat died, the farmers switched to dairying. During this period Kiama became the best example of ‘chain migration’ in Australia as many assisted migrants came from Northern Ireland on clearing leases and eventually half the marriages in the Kiama Anglican Church in a hundred years had Northern Irish Protestant ancestry. Kiama was one of the birthplaces of the Australian dairy industry with the first Dairy Factory (The Kiama Pioneer Factory) and first Dairy Co-operative in Australia. There were three original major land grants, Thomas Surfleet Kendall (son of lapsed missionary Reverend Thomas Kendall), Michael Hindmarsh and Thomas Chapman, all of which married sisters of the Rutter family. The Kendalls were cousins of Henry Kendall, the famous Australian poet. The Kendall name is remembered today in several places such as the spooky Kendall Cemetery in Kiama Heights and Kendalls Beach. The Hindmarshs are remembered in Kiama’s main park, Hindmarsh Park, and after 10 generations still live on their original land.
Kiama’s next real population boom was powered by its quarries. Many Irish Catholics worked in the Kiama quarries. The basalt formed by two volcanic eruptions 240 million years and 66 million years ago was a valuable commodity for a growing colony, with the blue metal used to pave Sydney’s roads and as ballast for its railways. It was very similar to the basalt found in Northern Island, where the Giant’s Causeway is a famous example. There are still active quarries in the Kiama area, including the N.S.W. Railway Quarry, and the remnants of earlier quarries are easily visible throughout the town and often have facilities built inside them such as the Kiama Leisure Centre. (including the spectacular Bombo Headland, the site of the discovery of the Kiama Magnetic Reversal discovery in 1923). When Kiama Harbour was hollowed out, after 17 years hard work, and flooded in 1876, larger steamers such as from the Illawarra Steam Navigation Company could enter and a flourishing sea trade followed. The Kiama Pilot’s Cottage was finished in 1881 and the Kiama Lighthouse in 1887. Kiama really hit its boom time in this period, from 1890 until the Great Depression in 1927, when nearly all the quarries closed. It was a prosperous and happy time well recorded in the local newspaper, the Kiama Independent and the photographs of the Cocks Photographic Studio, two valuable resources which tell most of the Kiama story. Over time tourism and housing growth turned Kiama into a dormitory suburb (where people travelled away to work) and summer tourist spot. Kiama in 2009 is a tourism haven in summer, during which its population triples. The Kiama Pilot’s Cottage is now a local history museum.
Geography
The Kiama area includes many attractions, being situated on the coast south of the Minnamurra River, and to the west lie the foothills of Saddleback Mountain and the smaller less discernible peak of Mount Brandon. Also to the west is the town of Jamberoo with pasture-land in between, which contains many historic buildings and dry stone walls. Also of note is Seven Mile Beach to the south, a protected reserve. Kiama has several well known surfing beaches, including Surf Beach, ‘Mystics’ and Jones’ Beach, as well as other more protected swimming beaches situated in coves between headlands such as Black Beach, Easts Beach and Kendalls Beach. Kiama Harbour forms one of several coves between headlands.
Climate
Kiama has an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb) typical of southern and central New South Wales with warm summers and mild winters. Rainfall is spread relatively evenly throughout the year with the wettest months being in autumn and the driest in spring.
Transport
Kiama harbour
The town is served by Kiama Station on the South Coast Line. It is served by road in the form of the Princes Highway and the Kiama Bypass.
Attractions
The beaches around Kiama offer a large range of surfing conditions. Many surfing competitions are held here every year. These include Jones Beach – Kiama Downs, Bombo Beach – Bombo, Surf Beach – Kiama, Easts Beach and Caravan Park – Kiama Heights, Kendalls Beach – Kiama and Mystics Beach – Minnamurra River. The name “Kiama” is derived from the Aboriginal word “kiarama“, which means “Place where the sea makes a noise”. Kiama is also known as the place where the mountains touch the sea. This is in reference to the famous Kiama Blowhole. Every year thousands of tourists come to see the beautiful large fountains of water that the blowhole creates. The “Little Blowhole” is a lesser known blowhole that is frequently characterized by more impressive spurting than the Kiama Blowhole even though it is associated with a smaller rock formation. The Little Blowhole is on a headland south of the central part of Kiama between Easts and Kendalls Beaches. Both have areas for viewing, though the Kiama Blowhole attracts more tourists. A coastal walking track currently allows people to walk from Minnamurra to Easts Beach, past both blowholes. A 7 kilometre southern extension to this path is due to open in mid 2009 to allow people to walk along the cliffs to Gerringong.
A few kilometres north at Bombo is Cathedral Rocks, a formation well known and visited, with a walk/cycleway going along the Kiama coast. There are other rock formations on these cliff headlands of moderate renown. The Kiama Post Office, one of many historic buildings, is known for its history and pink colour. It is situated near Black Beach. Kiama has a strip mall of cafés, restaurants, art galleries and shops on Terralong Street. Also on this street is a war memorial, an historic fire station used for exhibits, and a small shopping centre. Kiama Lighthouse, on Blowhole Point, was built in 1887 and is situated close to the Kiama Blowhole. The point also contains a heritage pilot’s cottage and a tourist information centre. North of the point is Kiama Harbour, home to fishing boats and seafood market where you can buy local fish. The point also contains seaside cabins and a wonderful rock pool.
A locally famous phenomenon is the local group of Australian Pelicans. The pelicans have been honoured with a metal statue at the harbour. Seven kilometres southwest of the town is Saddleback Lookout atop the 600 metre high Saddleback Mountain with views over the Illawarra Plains and escarpment and south to Nowra, Pigeon House Mountain and Coolangatta Mountain. Saddleback and Noorinan mountains provide an impressive backdrop to the city. The Jamberoo Action Park is situated 10 minutes inland of Kiama, in the suburb of Jamberoo, a
Bombo Headland Kiama
mainly ride-orientated water-themed park. West of Kiama in the green hills lies Jerrara Dam, built in the 1800s to supply water to the area. It is now a reserve. North of the Minnamurra River is Killalea Recreation Area, a nature reserve on Bass Point. It is south of Shellharbour. Kiama Council spent eleven years preparing the construction of the Kiama Coast Walk, a six-kilometre track extending from Loves Bay, north of Kiama, to Werri Lagoon, near Gerringong, south of Kiama. Some coastal land was declared public reserve to allow the public to walk through what was previously private property. The track was scheduled to open in October 2009 and was expected to be a popular drawcard for the public.
Education
Kiama is home to several schools, including Kiama High School, Kiama Public School and Ss Peter And Paul Catholic School.
Bombo Headland Kiama
Cathedral Rock, Kiama, circa 1900
Bombo Headland – It’s like you’re on the moon! These unusual basalt walls and columns are a legacy of blue metal quarrying in the 1880′s and 1900′s. Looking south you can see an impressive vista of Kiama. Looking north you can see Cathedral Rocks, Minnamurra Headland and Jones’ Beach. Bombo Headland is a popular site for television commercials and photo shoots, and is an off-leash area for dogs. A walking guide for the Headland and Dog’s Off Leash brochure is available at the Kiama Visitor’s Centre (Blowhole Point Road, Kiama). It is located off Cliff Drive, take the Kiama Downs turn off from the Princess Highway, and cross under railway bridge at Bombo Beach.
Cathedral Rocks
Located just three kilometres north of Kiama at the southern end of Jones Beach, this distinctive rock formation, Cathedral Rocks, has lured sightseers since 1890. These volcanic rocks, while intensely hard, have many joints. These joints have been eroded for many years, leaving
Kiama Blowhole
these mysterious rock formations. The rocks may be viewed from Cliff Drive or studied from close range by approaching from the north. These rocks are a photographer’s delight!
Kiama Blowhole
The largest Blowhole 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
Kiama Lighthouse
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.
Accessible at all times, floodlit until 1am each morning. Children welcome – parental suprvision reccomended. The top viewing platform is accessable.
Kiama Lighthouse
The lighthouse was established in 1887, 10 years after the creation of the Robertson Basin, a manmade harbour to service Kiama. The principal Keeper’s House was destroyed by vandals in the 1920s. The 1-story assistant Keeper’s House, used for many years as a residence for
Kiama Produce Market
harbor pilots, is now a museum and visitor centre. Kiama Lighthouse is located in Kiama, about 30 kilometres south of Wollongong, on Blowhole Point, a tourist attraction in its own right. Accessible by road and parking is provided.
Kiama Produce Market
Spend the day in Kiama and browse through the popular Kiama Produce Market, are held on the fourth Saturday of every month. Inspect the fantastic array of stalls specializing in fish, meats, fruits, nuts, vegetables, cheeses, wines and other specialty foods. Enjoy cooking classes, tastings, sauces and condiments. Sample the home-grown, home-made difference and save direct from the supplier. A tasty experience for all!
Kiama Visitor Information Centre
8.00am – 1.00pm are held on the 4th Saturday of every month
Kiama Visitor Information Centre
Kiama Visitors Centre is a Level 1 Accredited Centre that provides comprehensive visitor information. Call into the Visitor Information Centre for information on the local area including local accommodation, restaurants and service providers. The centre sells tickets on behalf of local associations, such as the Jazz Club, as well as Premier Motor Service Bookings. The centre sells mainly Australian made merchandise and souvenirs including T-shirts, postcards, Kiama branded stationery and books. The Centre also sells artwork on behalf of the Kiama Art Society. Information on regional New South Wales is also available.
Spring Creek Bird Hide
Public Holiday: Closed Christmas Day. Open 9am – 5pm Daily. Opening time is 9:00am. Closing time is 17:00pm.
Spring Creek Bird Hide
This observation hide located between the lagoon and freshwater lake enables a close-up view of waterbirds including cormorants, chicks, moorhens, coots, swans and many other local species. The ultimate bird-watching experience for bird-lovers! Direction from the Kiama Visitor’s Centre; take Terralong Street out of Kiama, turn right onto Dido Street, turn into Glenbrook Drive and take the first right to find the Spring Creek Bird Hide.
Surf Beach Kiama
Surf Beach Kiama
Surf Beach is Kiama’s main surfing beach surrounded by parkland and central to Kiama’s main shopping district. The beach is patrolled in summer on weekends from the long weekend in October through to Easter. There is plenty of accessible car parking, toilets, barbecue facilities, picnic tables and changing sheds. Accessed off Manning Street Kiama.
Bonaira Native Gardens
Bonaira Native Gardens is a tranquil place to sit and reflect. With wonderful native plants, including established rainforest species, Bonaira Native Garden offers its visitors a peaceful atmosphere. Take a 30 minute stroll around the garden, and find the monument dedicated to the Wodi Wodi people, the local indigenous tribe.
Kiama Post Office
Kiama is an important service centre in the region and a favoured tourist destination. As a service centre Kempsey was an important point in the mail delivery system, which can be seen in the imposing Post Office.
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