It’s the little-known walking track that could soon challenge the Kiama blowhole when it comes to iconic tourist attractions in the seaside community.
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The Bombo Headland Eco Walk has been thrust into the spotlight, thanks to a state government cash boost that’s tipped to turn the suburb’s quarry area into a must-see spot.
Kiama Municipal Council has been awarded $500,000 to build a stairway attached to the existing rock form, which will link the rock shelf to a walking trail on the top of the Bombo Headland.
Read more: 32 hidden Wollongong spots the locals love
Parliamentary secretary for the Illawarra, and Kiama MP, Gareth Ward announced the funding during a visit to the site on Monday and said the upgrade would link a number of existing walking tracks in the area.
“This is a highly-utilised location for bushwalkers and this new stairway will allow walkers to explore the Bombo Headland in its entirety,” Mr Ward said.
For Kiama councillor Warren Steel, Monday’s announcement was years in the making. “I’ve pushed this for six years and I never thought it’d happen,” Cr Steel said.
“This, as an icon, will challenge the blowhole, it’s as simple as that.
“It’s going to be a beauty, it really is.
“Over the weekend, we would have had 150 people down here from all over and they’re not sure they can come down here.
“Now they can come down here and take photographs.”
Kiama mayor Mark Honey said completing the link between Minnamurra and Bombo meant “we now have a terrific coastal walk”
Cr Honey also flagged the potential for a coastal botanic gardens in the Bombo Quarry area.
“It’s something that we can market as tourism attraction and it’s really the jewel in the crown of Kiama that no one, or very few people knows about,” he said.
“To promote this area as part of the tourist experience in Kiama is something that I’m looking forward to in the future.”
The money came from the government’s $300 million Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund.
It follows a $4.5 million state government cash injection for the Minnamurra River boardwalk and cycleway.
The Minnamurra cycleway spend formed part of a $62 million active transport program spend announced in last year’s budget.
The Minnamurra Bends cycleway is considered by locals as a “missing link”.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
