 I love the peace the sea brings me, as if I am made from the salt itself. Those words above, discovered on tumblr, echo perfectly my feelings about the ocean and my most favourite seaside destination, Kiama on the Illawarra coast of New South Wales.  With my young son and daughter at the Kiama Blowhole in the 1980s A spectacular region of verdant green rolling hills and golden beaches, Kiama stole my heart from my first visit as a teenager in the 1970s, and is a place that I go back to again and again and again. It's where my children and I spent delicious summer holidays together. Serendipitously, the area is also close to Peter's heart. After migrating from Darlington in the UK, he and his parents made their home at nearby Warilla, and he spent many happy hours at Kiama as a boy. It's now our happy place. Please allow me to show you why we love Kiama so...  This. Yes this. Is how good Kiama feels!  Kiama Harbour, built in 1876   The pristine ocean baths below Blowhole Point  Fish and chips with an ocean view  Let the sea spray and crisp salty air invigorate your senses  The Kiama Lighthouse, established in 1887   Explore Kiama on foot and take in the stunning scenery  Ceramic mosaic artwork on a Kiama footpath  Everywhere you look, beautiful flowers    Other worldly rock formations at Bombo Quarry  Wild grasses at Bombo  Sea birds enjoy the sun at Bombo Quarry  A spectacular shot of Cathedral Rocks by my friend John Bentley from JB Lightscape Photography  Robert East Reserve at the top of Hutchison Street provides outstanding views (see my video)  Sunrise in Kiama, nothing short of spectacular  Sundown at the ocean baths near Bombo   Sunset over Kiama Harbour and Blowhole Point The Good Things team enjoyed a short break in the Kiama district as guests of the Kiama Municipal Council (thank you again). We made our own way there via private vehicle. This is not a sponsored post and all opinions are our own. (As mentioned previously, Kiama has long been a regular destination for us and is one of our most favourite seaside destinations in Australia). Thank you John Bentley, from JB Lightscape Photography, for allowing me to share his image of Cathedral Rocks. John lives in the region. He and my Peter went to school together. John, Peter and I would love it if you could take us out there at low tide some day. xx Getting there...Kiama is in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, accessible via car, motorcycle, coach or train. By car, the journey is 90 minutes from Sydney, 40 minutes from the Southern Highlands, and around two and a half hours from Canberra. If you prefer to travel via train along a scenic coastline, rail services run regularly from Sydney. Attractions in and around the Kiama district include the world famous Kiama Blowhole; Saddleback Mountain lookout; Cathedral Rocks; Minnamurra Rainforest; Kiama Coast Walk; Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk; Jamberoo Action Park; the Little Blowhole; Seven Mile Beach National Park; and ocean baths at either end of Kiama Harbour. There's also a whalewatching platform at Minnamurra Headland (accessed via Eureka Avenue). For more information about where to stay; and what to see and do, visit Kiama Tourism. Stay tuned for more about our Kiama adventures in upcoming Good Things features, in which will showcase the best eateries, the Kiama region foodie trail, and where to stay. Tell me dear readers, do you crave seaside holidays? Have you ever visited the Kiama region? (If not, you simply must add it to your bucket list!).
43 Comments
10/1/2017 10:58:36 pm
It's looks stunning. I shall see if I can get there when I visit Sydney. We live at the seaside so beach holidays are not a priority for us.
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:22:31 pm
I did not know that you live by the beach, Tandy, what a lovely thing for you! But, yes, if you get the chance when visiting Sydney from South Africa, Kiama is well worth a visit. It's a beautiful spot.
Simone Mason
11/1/2017 01:41:24 am
Wow Lizzie, you have such a great eye for beautiful views. I have been to Kiama but not for a long time. I think I need to speak with hubby and tell him we need a holiday.
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:23:00 pm
Sounds like a plan, Simone. Thank you for your very kind words.
Peter
11/1/2017 01:41:58 am
One of my favourite places in the world too. Looking forward to spending more time there soon.
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:24:52 pm
Oh, mine as well. We are as one, love xxxxxxx
Bob Bennett
11/1/2017 01:42:26 am
Fish and chips with that view. Even that dog looks relaxed.
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:25:42 pm
As well he/she might be, Bob.
Thelma Willis
11/1/2017 01:43:31 am
That bird is so sweet. I can see he or she loves the water. Time for another visit to the Kiama coast, thanks Liz.
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:26:32 pm
Like me, a water baby. Yes, do plan a visit, Thelma.
JB
11/1/2017 01:57:31 am
My pleasure, Liz! Will do, and look forward to it.
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:26:53 pm
As are we!
SueB
11/1/2017 05:24:14 am
Love Kiama. Spent a few days there in 2015 and do so want to return. May be a retirement location yet!
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:27:48 pm
It's a beautiful place, Sue... I shall nag you gently to take Chris there for a holiday in the fullness of time. PS If you retire there, make sure you have a guest room, so we can come visit! 11/1/2017 08:31:24 am
What a beautiful place. The photo of the orange poppy makes me long for summer -- and the ocean spray on the rocks reminds me of our time in CA. Thanks for the lovely walk this morning. :)
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:28:15 pm
Judy, thank you for your kind words and for joining me on the walk through Kiama xx
Jenny Andersen
11/1/2017 05:15:00 pm
Just last year I discovered that area of the south coast (I am 57 so that's just sad!) I took my daughter to a friends van in Gerroa and we spent a week discovering Berry, Gerringong & Kiama. Since then I have been back 4 times with husband & daughter or my 91 year old mum & my sister. Just 90 minutes from our front door in SW Sydney - I feel the stress leave my body and makes my heart sing - I shall certainly be retiring somewhere down there. Did you go to Penny Whistlers? I love their Eggs Benedict and coffee.
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:29:26 pm
Hi Jenny, happy new year! So glad that you DID discover this part of the coast, albeit late in life. It makes me smile to know that you are now a frequent visitor. No, we didn't get to PW... but it's on the list. There are so many fab eateries... I will write about them, soon xx 11/1/2017 05:21:19 pm
Really great read! And what a wonderful "happy place." I can see why you love it so. Fun read, great pictures. Thanks!
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:29:55 pm
John, thank you very much indeed!
Eha
11/1/2017 07:36:14 pm
A lovely, peaceful South Coast setting for a few days after your book launch and busy Christmas . . have not been for a while: thank you for the many lovely photos :) !
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:30:39 pm
Hi lovely Eha... this visit was before my book launch, but we are spending time there again very, very soon. Big hugs to you, my friend. xxx
Jenni shum
11/1/2017 10:07:34 pm
Your photos are terrific! And Kiama brings back happy memories for me, with and without kids. :)
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:31:14 pm
Hi Jenni, thank you for your kind words. Another fan of Kiama... you must go visit again soon x 12/1/2017 12:49:11 am
oh how lovely and serene that looks Liz. that's how we feel when we head down past the border to northern NSW. the northern rivers gives me the same sense of peace and tranquillity. how lucky are we to have found a place to soothe our hearts.
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:31:38 pm
Isn't it THE best, Sherry xx
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:32:09 pm
Hello lovely Mandy, thank you for your kind words. Have a wonderful week xx 12/1/2017 02:34:40 am
Kiama is lovely. We usually stop there on our way to Berry and Milton which I love.
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:32:37 pm
Yes, more lovely places in the region, Lorraine x
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:33:12 pm
It's a beautiful place, Amanda. Thank you for your kind words. x 13/1/2017 03:09:33 pm
It is absolutely lovely, I can certainly see why you call it your happy place. The weather looks like it was perfect during your visit…that's nice.
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:34:07 pm
Hi Karen, thank you for your kind words. It is a lovely place... actually it was raining some of the time, but that gave us a good excuse to pop into the bookshops x
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:34:50 pm
Dearest Maureen, thank you for your very kind words. Kiama is gorgeous indeed.... I do so hope you manage to make it back down here soon xx 15/1/2017 06:59:41 pm
What a gorgeous place, Liz. I'd find much happiness and soul-restoration there. :-)
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:35:27 pm
Indeed, Krista. Happy new year to you, lovely to hear from you x
Lizzy
16/1/2017 05:36:17 pm
Hiya Bush Boy... ah, yes, Easts Beach... I've spent many a summer there! Glad to have stirred up some good memories for you. I hope you will visit Kiama again soon x
Jeni from Northern Rivers Dreaming
17/1/2017 06:53:20 pm
First went for family holidays in Kiama in the 1960s/70s. Later when I moved to Canberra we'd drop in now and then so I could be nostalgic. Our favourite place from the late 1990s was a friend's off the track cabin on the Clyde, near Nelligen. So we tended to head south. But I have lovely memories of Kiama :) Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Welcome...Üdvözölöm
Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
All
NB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
Winner ABC's 2015 Australia Cooks competition,
ACT (mains category)
Meet the Chefs - recipes featured on Australian Asparagus Council website
|