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Postcards and Morsels - Kiama, NSW

3/2/2014

 
Kiama Lighthouse
'Sprinkle my ashes on Saddleback Mountain so I can look upon those views for eternity,' I've always said to my family. Rising 600 metres above sea level and with spectacular vistas to the Lake Illawarra escarpment, Barren Grounds Plateau—as well as Noorinan Mountain, Coolangatta Mountain and Pigeon House Mountain—Saddleback sits high over the townships of Kiama and Gerringong, and looks out across the Tasman Sea. 

Kiama is one of my most favourite places, ever. I've been visiting since my mid teens—and for ten years or so my children and I had the pleasure of holidaying there every summer. According to Robert Wilson in Discover Australia, in 1797 the explorer George Bass anchored his boat in a tiny bay and made note of 'the tremendous noise coming from a blowhole' in the rocks near the entrance. That now legendary blowhole (pictured below), together with the Harbour, and successful dairy and blue metal quarry industries established in the 1870s, put Kiama (or Kiaram-a as it was known to the Wodi Wodi Aboriginals) on the map. 
Kiama Blowhole

Morsels...

Apart from the fact that it's a picturesque town situated by the sea, among the things I love about Kiama are the views to Saddleback Mountain and the delicious mists that roll in from the escarpment, seemingly every evening. There are several beaches, coastal walks, a rainforest, restaurants and cafes, and historic buildings such as the Pilot's Cottage (built in 1880, now a museum), the Kiama lighthouse (built in 1887), and the Terrace Cottages (the only weatherboard terraces in New South Wales, built in 1886 to house quarry workers, now a row of quirky shops and classified by the National Trust). With all this—and the simple indulgence of just sitting on a deck watching the ocean, suffice to say Kiama has plenty to offer.

Canadian-born Carole Johnston, Kiama resident and a food enthusiast colleague of mine says 'In Kiama, every day feels like a holiday. Having moved back to the area where my husband grew up, we found ourselves in for a treat. There's a strong sense of community here, as well as plenty of local food and wine to be enjoyed. Farm gates are starting to pop up in the region and our first weekly farmer's market kicks off next week.'

Another like-minded colleague, Jacqueline Weiley, hosts the award-winning Foodscape Tours, which showcase the best of the region's local produce, artisan foods, local wines—and the passionate personalities behind them. Foodscape events include Winescape Trails and Foodie's Indulgence Tours. Watch this space for news of upcoming tours.

My well travelled food writer friends, Sally and Gordon Hammond from Food & Travel, spent some time in Kiama recently and compiled an informative video about the Food of the Kiama region. You will find that video and a blog post here.

Postcards and a photographic essay...

Peter and I treated ourselves to a three-night stay at the Kiama Harbour Cabins just before Christmas and I'm sharing our postcards here as a photographic essay. For the first day or so, the weather was wild and the sea rougher than I'd ever witnessed, but it was no matter. We put on our walking boots and anoraks, and drank in the fresh, salty air. 

With a tiny fish market on the Harbour less than 100 metres away, each day we bought a bounty of fresh local seafood for lunch and dinner. A pelican met us outside the store every morning. 

Eventually, the sun appeared from behind the clouds and the warm paths became sun lounges to skinks of all shapes and sizes. Seagulls cautiously dipped their webbed toes into the water, and flowers opened their petals to salute the sun.
Postcards and Morsels Kiama

The weather was wild and the sea rough...

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

After the storms, a salute to the sun...

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Kiama Harbour Cabins: exceptionally well appointed—and a cracker of a view!

Postcards and Morsels Kiama
Postcards and Morsels Kiama

Kiama...  I honestly ♥ you!

Postcards and Morsels Kiama

A quick recipe for barbecued tuna...

To prepare Asian-style tuna steaks for four, combine in a bowl 1/3 cup of fresh orange juice, 1/3 cup low salt soy or Tamari sauce, two tablespoons of chopped parsley, one tablespoon fresh lemon juice and the zest of the lemon, a crushed garlic clove, and a teaspoon of garam masala. Add four tuna steaks and marinate for an hour or so. Chargrill or barbecue for two to three minutes each side, depending on the thickness of the steak. Baste while cooking. Yum!

Tell me dear readers, do you enjoy visiting seaside destinations in your part of the world? Where is your most favourite place? Australian readers, have you ever been to Kiama? Perhaps you live there. Please share your stories, and thank you all for stopping by to comment. I read and appreciate each and every one.
Tandy | Lavender and Lime link
30/1/2014 07:33:44 pm

Thank you for sharing this special place with me. We live with sea and mountain views which I am grateful for every day :)

Lizzy
30/1/2014 07:41:03 pm

Oh Tandy, how lovely! I'd like to see photos some time xox

azita link
30/1/2014 09:47:58 pm

WOW! What a stunning place and such gorgeous (vivacious) photos Liz! Thank you for vicariously taking me on this trip! :)

Lizzy
31/1/2014 07:45:08 am

Azita, thank you so much! Glad to have you come along : )

Kyrstie@A Fresh Legacy link
30/1/2014 09:54:32 pm

You probably don't know this about me Lizzy but I lived very close to Kiama for many years a decade ago. It is a beautiful little town. We often visited on a weekend for breakfast. I had forgotten about the blowhole so thank you for the memory jig :-) Such a beautiful coastline I do miss it a little. Luckily our current home is also coast based (within 20 minutes drive) we have a beach experience and it is wonderful. It makes me feel like I am always just a step away from holidays and who can complain about that?

Lizzy
31/1/2014 07:47:12 am

Kyrstie, I didn't know that... but I agree with you, Kiama is a beautiful town indeed! Weekend breakfasts there would be a real treat and the coastline is so pretty! I can remember before the new by-pass went in, we'd come up over the hill and see Bombo Beach and all four of us in the car would be cheering with delight! And you are truly fortunate to be 20 minutes away from the beach. Sigh. I miss my parent's place at Malua Bay so much. xo

Kyrstie@ A Fresh Legacy link
31/1/2014 03:42:17 pm

I didn't know there is a by-pass now. We approached the same way as you :-) Nothing stays the same I guess, just in your memory...

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella link
31/1/2014 07:42:29 am

I've only really stopped briefly for a meal in Kiama rather than stayed the night there but perhaps I should stay as it's such a relatively short drive for such a great view. And how great are Jaqueline, Sally and Gordon? :)

Lizzy
31/1/2014 07:48:30 am

Really, Lorraine? I thought you had been just about everywhere : D Well, Kiama is a place that I can certainly recommend to you. And I love Sally and Gordon... and can hardly wait to meet Jac and Carole too! xo

Hotly Spiced link
31/1/2014 09:30:27 am

I love Kiama and I could watch that blow hole in action for hours. Your postcards are stunning and I particularly like the one with the jacaranda tree. You've reminded me that I must take a holiday to Kiama! xx

Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:38:43 pm

Charlie, thank you very much! That was the first time we'd been there when the Jacarandas were in flower. Stunning! xo

Amanda link
31/1/2014 10:07:48 am

Lovely, lovely pictures Liz - I especially love that looming sky behind the lighthouse.

Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:39:05 pm

Amanda thank you ever so much! It was a lovely subject to work with!

Krista Bjorn link
31/1/2014 10:15:48 am

What a gorgeous place, Liz! No wonder you love it so much. The craggy cliffs and rocks remind me of the Pacific Coast where I grew up spending summer vacations, in Canada, the Washington and Oregon coasts. So beautiful. :-)

Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:39:30 pm

Krista, thank you... I'd love to visit Canada someday, it sounds beautiful!

ela@GrayApron link
1/2/2014 03:49:10 am

The postcards are stunning, Liz! Thanks for posting! Aha...I live on the seaside, practically on the beach. We just went for a walk...the sand is white-frozen in places and there are ice sculptures on the weave breakers...I love my Baltic! :) ela

Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:39:56 pm

Oh Ela, how wonderful... it must be a beautiful thing to see in the winter too, no?

ela@GrayApron link
3/2/2014 05:24:39 pm

Oh, I prefer my sea in the Winter. Summer...we escape to warmer waters. :)

kellie@foodtoglow link
1/2/2014 04:32:21 am

I have never heard of Kiama but am happy that you brought it to my attention. I doubt I will ever get that far but I have enjoyed looking at the images - they are terrific! I love the idea that a pelican greeted you every day at the store!

Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:40:19 pm

Thank you Kellie... it is a beautiful place indeed... and that pelican was amazing!

Andrea
1/2/2014 08:58:49 am

What a beautiful little spot, maybe I will change holiday plans this March and head to Kiama! Beautiful photos! X

Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:40:43 pm

Andrea, I can highly recommend it to you! It's a lovely spot indeed!

David link
1/2/2014 09:54:23 am

Gorgeous photos, Liz! Thanks for sharing!

Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:40:56 pm

David, thank you so much!

Maureen link
1/2/2014 12:19:43 pm

This looks so beautiful. I've never been to Kiama but I want to go now. I LOVE living by the water.

Liz link
1/2/2014 12:25:48 pm

Oh, wow, the photos of the shore are just breathtaking. I can see why you love the area! Thanks for sharing it with us...

Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:42:08 pm

Liz, thank you so very much!

John @ Kitchen Riffs link
1/2/2014 01:24:50 pm

Heck, the pictures alone would have been enough -- the tuna recipe is a bonus! I love the sea. When I was younger, my family always used to vacation in Long Beach Island, New Jersey. I haven't been back for years, but really need to! But my favorite coastal area in the US is along the Oregon coast -- really beautiful.

Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:42:49 pm

John, isn't it wonderful to have those memories of the seaside! There really is something special about such places. I am now going to google the Oregon coast! Thanks.

Shirley from Rhubarb Whine
1/2/2014 01:26:06 pm

Beautiful shots. I do love visiting that region - and have found wonderful fish and chip shops there!

Lizzy
1/2/2014 03:43:18 pm

Shirley, there are indeed... but not as many as one would think! It is a lovely area, thanks for stopping by.

Glamorous Glutton link
1/2/2014 08:00:52 pm

This looks like a truly wonderful place full of first time sees for us Brits! Your photos are beautiful. GG

Lizzy
2/2/2014 06:34:30 am

GG, thank you very much! : )

Adri link
2/2/2014 06:14:38 am

Oh my, what beauty! I have never heard of this area, but your photographs certainly have brought it alive. I am so pleased to have made your acquaintance. You live in a part of the world that I do not know, and I am loving seeing it, and its food, through your eyes.

Lizzy
2/2/2014 06:35:06 am

Adri, thank you very much... and likewise... I love your work too and really enjoying reading about your part of the world.

Karen (Back Road Journal) link
2/2/2014 11:04:10 am

What breathtaking beauty…your photos are just stunning and your words entice us to read further.

Lizzy
2/2/2014 03:12:12 pm

Why Karen, thank you ever so much! That is very kind of you indeed! Thanks for stopping by and seeing part of the world that I so love xo

MY Kitchen Stories link
2/2/2014 05:46:49 pm

When I was growing up we spent nearly every summer in Kiama. it's a pretty place and one we all loved. It did rain an awful lot though so we spent quite a bit of time at Warrilla mall trying to while away the hours. My parents got sick of 4 children in a caravan waiting for the rain to stop.I love the pictures Liz they take me back.

Lizzy
2/2/2014 06:57:53 pm

Hi Tania, oh really! How lovely... Peter grew up in Warilla, after his family migrated from County Durham in England. Thank you for your kind words... I am so glad I evoked some memories for you xo

Rosa link
3/2/2014 12:01:37 am

Beautiful sceneries and pictures! A place of pure beauty.

Cheers,

Rosa

Lizzy
3/2/2014 07:56:20 am

Rosa, thank you very much.

Catherine@farmhousehome link
3/2/2014 11:20:36 am

I don't think I've ever been to Kiama, it looks like a beautiful town and may have to be somewhere I try and visit one day.

Lizzy
4/2/2014 01:54:19 pm

Oh Catherine, it is a beautiful place... a must visit for every Australian!

Eva Taylor link
4/2/2014 01:25:48 am

That looks like a divine place to spend a few relaxing days. There is one photo with a tree in the foreground left that reminds me if our rugged Canadian landscape, very much Group if Seven-ish, beloved Canadian painters.

Lizzy
4/2/2014 01:54:42 pm

Eva, thank you! I must now google that region... sounds wonderful!

The Food Sage link
5/2/2014 08:23:50 pm

A stunning photographic essay, Liz. It's lovely to see a place through someone else's eyes - especially someone who is as talented as you with a camera. Great job.

Lizzy
6/2/2014 09:32:20 am

Rachel, wow, thank you very kindly. There is so much to learn about photography, but I'm having a great time exploring with my camera! Thanks again.

celia link
15/2/2014 09:19:15 pm

Ooh, thanks hon. I love Kiama, and always wondered what those cabins by the water were like inside! Great post, I NEVER get to see the blowhole blowing! But I keep trying.. ;-)

Lizzy
17/2/2014 03:56:09 pm

Hi Celia, thank you kindly! The cabins are jaw dropping, I tell you! Oh, I hope you do get to see the Blowhole in action some day, love xox


Comments are closed.

    Welcome...

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    Photo of Liz Posmyk, Food Writer, Cook and Traveller

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