The original inhabitants of the area were the Wodi Wodi Aborigines, who are said to have called the place ‘Kiarama-a’ or ‘Kiar-mai’, which is said to mean ‘where the sea makes a noise’, although other meanings include ‘fertile area’, ‘mysterious spirit’ and ‘plenty food: good fishing ground’. The reference to the noise is from the blowhole, allegedly known as ‘Khanterintee’ (meaning ‘mysterious noise’) by the local Aborigines.

The first European to sight the blowhole was George Bass when he anchored offshore in his 28 ft whaleboat in the bay (now known as Kiama Harbour) in December 1797. He wrote about the ‘tremendous noise’ this ‘subterraneous passage’ produced.

It was the cedar that attracted the first Europeans to the area, among those was David Smith, who became the first permanent white settler when he built a residence in Kiama in 1832. By 1815, timber was being shipped from the main beach in Kiama, Black Beach, to supply the majority of the Sydney cedar market.
 

In 1819 the surveyor James Meehan surveyed the district by land and the surveyor-general Oxley explored the area, which he called ‘Kiarami’. Several years later, he reserved the land adjacent to the harbour for the development of a township, with surveys being carried out in 1830 and 1831. Proclaimed in 1836, Kiama was declared a Municipality in 1859.

Today there are still many historical buildings to be enjoyed, pick up the heritage walks leaflet from the visitor centre.

With the direct link to Sydney, improvements in the roads, as well as the many other local tourist attractions, Kiama draws visitors from all over New South Wales and Australia, catering for the day tripper and those staying longer.

Check out our listing of Kiama accommodation and South Coast accommodation. In addition to our listed online travel guide information, contact the local tourism visitor centre for your destination for more attractions, tours, local maps and other information.