Location

The Municipality of Kiama is located in the Illawarra Region of New South Wales, about 120 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD. The Municipality of Kiama is bounded by Shellharbour City in the north, the Tasman Sea in the east, Shoalhaven City in the south and Wingecarribee Shire in the west.

Included Areas

The Municipality of Kiama includes the townships and rural localities of Barren Grounds (part), Bombo, Brogers Creek (part), Broughton Village (part), Budderoo (part), Carrington Falls, Croom (part), Curramore, Foxground, Gerringong, Gerroa, Jamberoo, Jerrara, Kiama, Kiama Downs, Kiama Heights, Knights Hill, Minnamurra, Rose Valley, Saddleback Mountain, Toolijooa, Upper Kangaroo Valley (part), Werri Beach, Willow Vale and Yellow Rock (part).

Land Use

The Municipality of Kiama is a predominantly rural area, with urban townships along the coast. The main urban centres are Kiama, Gerringong, Gerroa, Kiama Downs and Jamberoo. The Municipality encompasses a total land area of 259 square kilometres, including national parks, beaches, rivers and rainforests. Rural land is used mainly for dairy farming and cattle grazing, with some basalt mining.

Name Origin

Kiama is thought to be named from an Aboriginal word meaning "where the sea makes a noise".

Indigenous Meaning

The original inhabitants of the Kiama area were the Wodi Wodi Aboriginal people.

Settlement

European settlement of the area dates from 1814, with land used mainly for timber-getting, farming and quarrying. The township of Kiama was established in the 1830s, developing as a shipping and servicing centre for the local industries. Growth took place in the 1880s and 1890s, spurred by the construction of the railway line and improved access. Expansion continued in the interwar period, with the coastal area becoming a popular holiday retreat. Significant development occurred during the post-war years, with the population increasing from about 2,300 in 1947 to 11,400 in 1981. Growth continued during the 1980s and 1990s, with the population rising to about 18,800 in 2001. The population was relatively stable between 2001 and 2006, and then increased slightly to about 19,600 in 2011.

Major Features

Major features of the Municipality include Seven Mile Beach National Park, Budderoo National Park, Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, Kiama Blowhole, Jamberoo Action Park, Kiama Coastal Walking Track and various beaches.

Transport

The Municipality of Kiama is served by the Princes Highway and the South Coast railway line.