Location
Just 90 minutes south of Sydney, lies the Kiama Local Government Area (LGA) an area of 256 square kilometres. The region is a popular tourist retreat with its rich mosaic of rugged sea cliffs, golden sandy beaches, dairy pastures and historic towns. The Municipality’s boundaries are defined by the Minnamurra River in the north and the seaside township of Gerroa and Seven Mile Beach to the south. Inland is the quaint village of Jamberoo, set in a quiet valley at the foot of the Illawarra Escarpment.
Tourism
Kiama has long been established as a summer holiday destination. Having maintained a unique seaside village charm unspoiled by over-development, Kiama is one of the most popular day trip destinations on the south coast. Tourists flock to see the famous Kiama Blowhole in their thousands. Other popular tourist attractions include Kiama’s many specialty arts and crafts shops, the historic township of Jamberoo and the fun and excitement of Jamberoo Recreation Park. Minnamurra Rainforest is another significant tourist attraction in the area, offering visitors the chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of Australia’s southern most subtropical rainforest.
The Kiama LGA has a sophisticated infrastructure of tourist facilities and services. A wide variety of accommodation is available, from motels and boutique hotels to caravan parks and country style Bed and Breakfast establishments. Restaurants in the area have a fine reputation for serving high quality cuisine.
Local council has a proactive role in maintaining and improving Kiama’s tourism infrastructure and encourages appropriate new development
Retail
Retail trade and tourism are intrinsically linked and add considerably to the local economy. In 2001 the Kiama area had 117 retail business locations and in the 1997-98 financial year it is estimated that retail traders had a combined turnover of $68.9 million.
Demography
The Kiama LGA has an estimated resident population of 20,255 people. Recent growth has been attributed to the lifestyle opportunity the area presents. A seaside location and rural outlook have made Kiama a sought after location to live in while commuting to work in other areas. As the availability of residential land has become scarce and residential dwelling prices have increased, growth has slowed to around 1.5% per annum.
Workforce
The size of Kiama’s labour force stands at 8,373. The main industry sectors where people are employed in are Retail Trading (14.5%); Education (13.2%); Health & Community Services (11.0%) and Construction (9.8%).
Currently 40.0% of the workforce, work within the LGA itself, whilst 52.4% travel to other places within the region (mainly the Wollongong LGA) and 7.6% travel further mostly to places within the Sydney statistical district.
Over 40% of the population over the age of 15 years hold a post schooling qualification; 10.4% hold a Degree (Post & Bachelor) and 31.0% hold a Diploma or Certificate of some description.
Transportation
The region is only a 2 hour drive south from Sydney and just over 2 hours from Canberra. The main access road through the region is the Princes Highway running from north to south. A commuter rail service is available for people travelling to Sydney. Train stations are located in Minnamurra, Bombo, Kiama and Gerringong with a number of services to Sydney operating daily. Local buses link the towns of Kiama LGA and Nowra, while the Sydney-Melbourne interstate coaches pass through the area.
Utilities & Telecommunications
Water supply and sewerage infrastructure throughout the region is comprehensive. Electricity and natural gas supply is also extensive.
Property (as at December 2003)
Median Residential Land Price:$310,000
Median House Price: $490,000
Median Unit Price: $335,000
House Median Rental Price: $265/wk
Unit Median Rental Price: $220/wk
Kiama has little land available for industrial use. At the completion of local blue metal quarry activities it is likely that additional land will become available for a number of light industrial activities.
Education
Kiama has four Primary Schools, a High School and One non-government primary school.
Healthcare
The Illawarra Area Health Service operates a Day Services Unit in Kiama. They offer a range of services including - but not limited to - dental, podiatry, speech therapy and occupational therapy. There are four Doctor Surgeries within the region, which are located across the towns of Jamberoo, Kiama and Gerringong. Dentistry services are also available, majority of which are in Kiama.
Sport, Recreation & Cultural Activities
Given the lifestyle attraction of the area it is little surprise that the opportunities for outdoor recreation are numerous. To the east beachside pursuits can be enjoyed, while throughout the area, National Parks and reserves provide a chance for bushwalking and other recreational activities.
Fishing is a popular pastime in the area and a number of boat ramps provide easy access to Minnamurra River and the ocean. There are facilities for hockey, cricket, netball, rugby league, rugby union, tennis, swimming and many other sports. While for those wanting to perfect their golf swing there is a golf course located in each of the towns of Gerringong, Kiama and Jamberoo.
Barren Grounds Bird Observatory
a 1750-hectare nature reserve is an established bird watcher's mecca. Defined as a `hanging swamp', it offers several walks through the heathland including "Griffiths Trail" and boasts stunning coastal views from rocky outcrops.
Blowhole
Discovered by George Bass on 6 December 1797 the famous Blowhole is only a short distance from the town centre and railway station. Spectacular plumes of water can be witnessed when the seas are running from the southeast.
Jamberoo Recreation Park
is located four kilometres north of Jamberoo village. Enjoy bobsleds, scenic chair lift, mini golf, rock jump, waterslides, speedboats, maze, and includes barbecue and picnic facilities.
Kiama Leisure Centre
offers a 25m & 15m indoor heated pools, spa, sauna, hydra circuit, basketball, bbq areas and a variety of indoor sports.
Minnamurra Rainforest
Winner of the Environmental Attraction Tourism Award 1993, '94 & '95 this rainforest is situated in Budderoo National Park 6 kms west of the Jamberoo village. The park features a rainforest education centre, and a raised wooden walkway (wheelchair accessible) which takes you along the creek and into the rainforest to enjoy the flora and fauna.
Saddleback Mountain Lookout
Just over 7 kms south-west of Kiama and 600 metres above sea-level, this superb lookout offers views from the sand hills of Cronulla in the north to Milton in the south. Hoddle's Trail also starts here - a 60 minute bush-walk up to the edge of the escarpment.
Seven Mile Beach National Park: This heavily vegetated coastal park is located at Gerroa approximately 15 minutes south of Kiama where windsurfing at the northern end is world renowned.
Crooked River Wines
Crooked River Winery & Vineyard is situated one minute from Gerringong Railway Station on Willow Vale Road just off the princes Highway. Established in 1998 & being the largest on the South Coast, the winery has now produced five reds & two white wines.
Kiama Fresh Produce Markets
4th Saturday of the month Black Beach 8am-1pm.
Kiama Craft Markets
3rd Sunday of the month Black Beach 8am-1pm. Brought to you by the Kiama and Districts Chamber of Commerce, phone 0432 422 729.
Gerringong Sunrise Rotary Markets 3rd Saturday of the month at the Gerringong Town Hall and surrounds.
Jamberoo Markets
last Sunday of the month Kevin Walsh Oval, Jamberoo. Brought to you by Kiama Apex Club.
Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk
An awe-inspiring experience.
The award winning Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk is one of Australia’s premier rainforest experiences. Located a short drive from Kiama or the Southern Highlands, less than two hours from Sydney or Canberra, it offers a new and unique way to experience the rainforest and breathtaking views of the Illawarra Escarpment.
Other attractions of the region include the Jamberoo Arts & Craft Fair, and the Terralong Gallery.
Key Industry Sectors: Retail, Tourism, Property & Business Services, Construction
Main Urban Centres: Kiama, Jamberoo, Gerringong, Gerroa