Alphabetical tour of Kiama

KIAMA doesn't have a CASTLE " but you might be mistaken for thinking so when you turn off the highway.

That symbol you see actually represents "historical properties" and "C" is a pretty important letter for the historical infrastructure of Kiama. Without it, we'd have no COUNCIL (which first sat in 1859 & even though you have to stand to get elected), there'd be no COUNCIL CHAMBERS with the big COLUMNS, no CHURCHES, and no COURT HOUSE (dating from 1861, it's one of the oldest public buildings on the South Coast).

Still waiting for the CIVIC CENTRE though&

CAPTAIN COOK sailed past this part of the world way back in 1770.

If he'd landed, he would have been a few CENTURIES early to sample the CAFE CULTURE, take a CHARTER CRUISE, or enjoy the region's many CRAFT MARKETS (Gerringong third Saturday: Kiama third Sunday; Jamberoo final Sunday of the month).

He also would have been around 50 years early to join the CEDAR CUTTERS. At its peak in the 1820s, Kiama was shipping out 90 per cent of Sydney's supply of Red Cedar. That's a lot of COFFEE TABLES, CABINETS and CHESTS!

As far as placenames go, COLLINS STREET is the busy gateway to Kiama, changing its name to CONGESTION STREET on sunny weekends in the summer months.

CORONATION PARK is the grassy stretch in front of Surf Beach and the CATHEDRAL ROCKS are world-renowned for their otherworldly rock formations.

CARRINGTON FALLS tumble 50m on the western edge of the district, while CROOKED RIVER ends up at Gerroa and its grapey namesake ends up in wine glasses all over the country.

If you like your sport, take in a game of CROQUET at Jamberoo, watch the rugby on CHITTICK OVAL next to Surf Beach, or the league at Michael CRONIN OVAL at Gerringong (of course named after the local footy legend).

You could whack a CRICKET ball about near the CONTINENTAL BATHS, or perhaps CRUISE the many CYCLEWAYS that stretch from Minamurra southwards.

If it's the water you're into, January is a great month " the Bob CHURTON Memorial Surf Spectacular and the CAPTAIN CHRISTIE Ocean Swim (named after a whisky-loving 19th Century legend) both take place at Gerringong.

CHRISTMAS is a busy time in the region, thanks to the CASUAL CAMPERS who COMMANDEER any available stretch of land.

CHORUSED CROWDS and CHILDREN attend CAROLS by CANDLELIGHT in either Kiama or Jamberoo " the latter township once endearingly referred to by locals as "COW CRAP CANYON".

And finally, what better place to end than where many do, getting a CRAPP funeral and resting in one of the region's scenic CEMETARIES &

KIAMA: You Can't Compete with this Cattle-filled Countryside or Coastal Collection of Charming Cottages, Cafes and Character, where Chilled-out Citysiders Congregate, Cradling Cappuccinos and Consuming Cake, as they Casually Consider a Commute or Career Change ...