Of the coastal resorts south of Sydney, Kiama (located 90 minutes south of Sydney) is probably the most attractive. A small resort and fishing town,
Kiama is famous for its star attraction, the Blowhole. Stemming from a natural fault in the cliffs, the blowhole explodes into a water spout when a wave
hits with sufficient force. Whether your interest is in history, arts & crafts, fishing,riding a wave, its all located in Kiama.
The name Kiama is from the aboriginal word Kiaram-a, to which some sources give the meaning "Where the sea makes a noise"- a reference to the famous
Kiama Blowhole. The first recorded reference to the district was by George Bass who anchored his 28ft whaleboat in the sheltered bay (now known as
Kiama Harbour) in December 1797.
Cedar getters were the first to the area,among those was David Smith, who became the first permanent white settler when he built a residence in Kiama in
1832. The site of Kiama Township was reserved by the Government in 1826 and proclaimed in 1836. Kiama was proclaimed a Municipality in 1859.
In the 1870's the dairying industry was supplemented by basalt (blue metal) quarrying, now one of the district's major income earners alongside tourism.
Many of the historical buildings can be viewed and a heritage walks leaflet is available at the Kiama Visitor's Centre on Blowhole Point.
