There are a wide variety of sights to check out while you’re visiting Kiama, only 90 minutes drive south of Sydney. Kiama has some of the finest beaches and seas in the world. It also has mountains, forests and lush hills that create a paradise-like quality in the summer time.

Apart from the amazing scenery, you only have to look or ask to learn about all the different attractions Kiama has to offer. The old Kiama Lighthouse was built in 1887 and is located at the Point, just above the Blowhole. Originally it was an oil burner that cast a light that could be seen from a maximum distance of around nine miles.

In 1908 it was upgraded to become a gas lantern and the visibility increased to 15 miles. In 1920, it was further upgraded to an acetylene gas and flashing light system and automated. Finally, it was converted to 240 volt mains electricity in 1969 which is how it remains to this day.

There were two cottages, one of which was demolished after being vandalised in the 1920s. The other cottage is still being used as a visitors’ centre and museum after being converted from a residence for the harbour pilots from 1881 until 1981.

The Blowhole itself is another ‘must see’ attraction. The optimal visiting time is at high tide or when the sea flows from the south east. Sometimes it’s quite calm. However, at other times, it can resemble a giant geyser with 60 metre high sprays of water that roar through the caverns and then explode out through a massive hole in the roof. This amazing site is floodlit up until 9.30 pm.

You can visit Carrington Falls, a scenic walk which leads to the waterfall that gushes 50 metres down into Kangaroo Valley. Cathedral Rocks is an unusual place to visit as the rocks themselves are an almost glowing orange in colour and have been a popular attraction for many years.

You can visit either the Saddleback Mountain Lookout or the Knights Hill Road Tree Top Walk if you want to check out the breathtaking views and perhaps have a picnic while overlooking the Kiama coastline.

You’re spoiled for markets in Kiama. You can choose from the Gerringong, Jamberoo and Kiama Produce markets. However, you don’t have to miss out because each market opens on a different day so you can even check out all three if you’re in Kiama long enough. You’re sure to find plenty of great bargains and it’s a great way to keep yourself entertained for a few hours.

If you love amusement parks, then you can’t afford to miss the Jamberoo Action Park. The rides start with the very sedate ones suitable for young children to the wilder rides for those who like things to be a bit more daring. You have mountain rides, wave pools, chair lifts, golf, go carts and the safe shallows and pools for the little ones. You could easily fill your day with all the fun at Jamberoo.

Kiama offers so much to do that you’ll have to do your research to ensure you don’t miss out on anything if you’re only passing through. Whatever your tastes, there’s something for everyone at Kiama.

Balmain is a suburb in the inner west area of Sydney. You can get to the city centre via bus or taxi very easily. It’s a typical working class suburb that has slowly become trendier over the last 20 years while still retaining its original strength of character. Because Balmain is considered a peninsula suburb, the easiest access is via the ferry from Circular Quay, which is only a 10 minute ride. In fact, most of Sydney’s ferries were made in Balmain many years ago.

The residents of Balmain are a real mixture of younger professionals, academics and people who have lived there for several generations so there’s a real cosmopolitan feel for the suburb. Many of Australia’s well-known actors, directors, writers and musicians choose to live in Balmain because of its creative energy and trendy feel.

Balmain has more pubs than any other Sydney suburb so it’s obviously a good place to get together and socialise over a quiet brew. The original industry that held Balmain together was shipbuilding and ongoing repairs which flourished at the start of the 1900s. Much later Balmain was overrun with artists, writers and academics who couldn’t afford to live in the more expensive eastern suburbs.

East Balmain has its own sense of character and is predominately residential but does have a small shopping centre to cater for the needs of the residents. The town centre of Balmain has lots of village-like shops, several old churches and lots of cafes, restaurants and some older restored buildings. It’s quite difficult to drive around the area as the side streets are narrow and can be confusing if you don’t know where you’re going.

On Saturdays, there’s a very popular market in the grounds of St. Andrews Church. You can browse over 140 stalls that offer you everything including: books, arts and crafts, bric-a-brac, jewellery, clothing, footwear, antiques, plants, organic vegetables and fruit and plenty more. You’re sure to pick up a bargain or two.

If you want to check out the boutique shops, you only have to walk up Darling St. to find them. You can choose shops such as Andiamo, DuckeggBLUE or Bella Emporio for fine ladies fashion.

Alfie’s is a quirky store that combines new and established designers to provide stylish clothing, shoes and the biggest collection of Super Sunglasses in Australia for men, women and children of all ages.

Some of the other attractions for people living in or visiting Balmain include: the laid-back lifestyle, the numerous pubs and cafes and the other entertaining activities that occur from time to time. Darling Street is the liveliest street to visit with its many antique shops, recycled art shops, book shops, galleries, op shops and clothing shops. For something different, check out Herbie’s Spices, the shop with the largest range of spices and herbs anywhere in the entire Southern Hemisphere.

On Saturdays, you can go on the Balmain Historic Pub Tour. You get to visit a number of the more popular pubs, enjoy a few drinks and some live entertainment along the way and get to learn a bit more about the history and culture of the eclectic suburb. Some of the pubs you’ll visit include: The Cat and Fiddle, The Royal, The Riverview and The Commercial.

You can check out the London Hotel which was founded in the late 1800s and is a standout in a suburb full of excellent pubs. It retains most of its original character and the staff and locals are very relaxed as they work or drink. You can enjoy the views of Darling Street and the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the balcony as you sit on one of the mounted stools lined up along a simple, original wooden bench.

If you’re looking for a great meal, Balmain offers a wide range of Australian and international cuisine including: Asian, Italian and Turkish flavours. The Blue Ginger restaurant is reputed to be one of the most popular Asian restaurants. Pellegrini’s Seafood restaurant used to be the kiosk for Cockatoo Island but now serves unpretentious but delicious food at prices anyone can afford. Effendy serves delectable Turkish food. Bertoni Casalinga offers home made Italian cuisine to die for. The list of restaurants is almost endless and you could try a different theme every night for a month and never go hungry.

If you think you’ve seen it all in Balmain, you’re totally wrong! Adriano Zumbo, the world famous patissier has one of his irresistible shops at 296 Darling St. Viewers of Master Chef would have come across some of his tantalising desserts including the towering profiterole creation known as the croquembouche. That’s only one of the mouth-watering delights that will greet you as you step inside his decadent patisserie.

It’s impossible to walk past his window without peering in, let alone stepping inside to see what treats you can tease your taste buds with. Every day brings a new adventure. Adriano’s 2011 ambition is to ‘caramelise the nation’ and if anyone can do it, he’s the man for the job. He’s also a finalist for Cleo’s Bachelor of the Year.

If you like sailing, you can learn how by joining the Balmain Sailing Club School. They cater for people of all levels of ability and their main training boat is a 14 foot timber dinghy aptly named the Intrepid. You can learn as an individual, a couple or as a family and it’s a great way to see Sydney from a different perspective.

Balmain is host to the Dawn Fraser pool because Dawn did all her training there to become an Olympic champion. You can swim, watch the children as they swim or use the playground and have a snack from the kiosk.

The Balmain Tigers has recently celebrated its 125^th anniversary and is Australia’s longest running water polo club. Since 1948, Balmain players have been part of every single Olympic Games team and have often played at the Dawn Fraser Baths.

Balmain is an amazing suburb. Who would have thought that a single suburb could offer the residents and visitors so much to choose from. Whether it’s eating out, having a drink, watching sport or shopping for the latest fashions, Balmain is certainly the place to be.
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