Kiama: The small town that lures buyers with sandy shores, green fields and a famous party trick
The famous Kiama blowhole has been attracting visitors to the region for more than 100 years. It’s a terrific party trick – in the right conditions it can spray water 25 metres into the air and douse anyone who comes too close.
But there’s a whole lot more to this south-coast town, which lies about two hours’ drive from Sydney and about 40 minutes’ drive from Wollongong. Teacher Graeme Collinson-Smith was transferred from Wollongong to Kiama 20 years ago and couldn’t believe his luck, he says.
“I was very happy to move here. It’s very picturesque, with beautiful green dairy pastures, cabbage-tree palms and cedar forest remnants in the valleys, rocky basalt headlands and sandy beaches in between,” he explains.
A surfing hotspot
As a surfer, Collinson-Smith is also a fan of the excellent surf breaks, which have led to the town hosting competitions including this year’s inaugural Kiama Bodyboard King Pro.
Now retired from teaching, Collinson-Smith runs Terrace Collectables, in one of the Kiama Terrace Houses in Collins Street. Dating to 1885, these are Australia’s oldest timber terraces originally built for the workers of the local blue metal quarries.
They are now a popular shopping strip, with vintage wares, craft, fashion and food on offer. Kiama’s main thoroughfare, Terralong Street, plays host to more stores, including cafes, pubs, a bookstore and surf shops.
Collinson-Smith says the town provides all the basic amenities and there are big shopping centres within a 15-minute drive.
“The freeway has been built to Berry, so it doesn’t take long to get to major shopping centres [to the north and south],” he says.
“A lot of people retire to Kiama because we’re still close enough to Wollongong and Sydney for specialist services.”
He says there are also plenty of locals who commute to Wollongong and Sydney for work.
Oceans of appeal
Knight Frank Illawarra agent Matt Borg says the region is growing at a rapid rate and, while popular with retirees, it also appeals to young families and couples without children. “It’s a beachy place with a small-town feel,” he says.
“There are good restaurants, weekly farmers’ markets on the Surf Beach foreshore, a folk festival every September and surfing beaches that people travel from far and wide to visit.”
Borg is expecting strong out-of-area interest in his new Kiama Heights listing, a luxury family home with sweeping ocean views. “A property
of this calibre doesn’t come to market very often and it’s in good company, in a niche pocket of streets with some beautiful homes.”
Top home in the area
Whales, dolphins and a resident seal are all part of the view at this architecturally designed clifftop home, which claims a jaw-dropping vista over an infinity pool to Loves Bay.
Newly renovated, the property features high ceilings, polished floorboards and a conservatory.
The four-bedder has a $1.8 million price guide and is being marketed through an expressions of interest campaign, with Knight Frank Illawarra fielding enquiries.
