NSWPort & river
Kiama
Before beach holidays, there was timber and blue metal.
1839Town plan approved
WHAT STARTED IT
Cedar cutting and farming drew colonial settlers to the district. A coastal landing place helped move produce and timber, giving the developing town a practical role.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
Basalt quarrying later became a major industry. Stone travelled through the harbour and by rail, and quarry workers’ cottages remain as reminders of that working coast.
TURNING POINTS
1839The town plan is approved.
1859Kiama becomes a municipality.
1870sBasalt quarrying expands.
2013A tornado tore through Kiama and damaged about 75 homes.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A coastal residential and visitor town, with tourism, local services and surrounding dairy country. The quarry headlands and historic cottages reveal a less leisurely past.