Bombo, New South Wales Explained

Type:suburb
Bombo
City:Kiama
State:NSW
Lga:Municipality of Kiama
County:Camden
Parish:Kiama
Coordinates:-34.65°N 201.5°W
Local Map:yes
Zoom:11
Postcode:2533[1]
Pop:175
Elevation:10
Stategov:Kiama
Fedgov:Gilmore
Dist1:119
Dir1:SSW
Location1:Sydney
Dist2:38
Dir2:S
Location2:Wollongong
Dist3:2
Dir3:N
Location3:Kiama
Near-Nw:Kiama Downs
Near-N:Kiama Downs
Near-W:Jamberoo
Near-E:Tasman Sea
Near-Sw:Kiama
Near-S:Kiama

Bombo is a suburb of the Municipality of Kiama, in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located 2km (01miles) north of Kiama.

Etymology

Bombo is derived from "Thumbon", the name of a renowned headman and warrior born in this district.

Infrastructure

Bombo is the gateway between Kiama and its northern suburbs, Kiama Downs and Minnamurra. The Princes Highway runs through Bombo. In November 2005 a new six lane road opened replacing the original two lane road.[2]

Bombo railway station opened in 1887 as the terminus of the Illawarra railway line. In 1893 the line was extended to Kiama. It is the closest railway station to the Pacific Ocean in New South Wales.

In the 1950s the New South Wales Government Railways established a ballast quarry.[3] Boral operated an adjoining quarry from the 1970s until 2014.[4]

The Bombo disaster

The basalt quarry at Bombo was the site of a serious accident on 7 May 1888, when an explosive charge detonated prematurely and a mass of rock fell to the ground below where men were working. Four were killed and several severely injured.[5]

("The Bombo disaster" could also refer to the 539-ton SS Bombo which sank off Wollongong in heavy seas on 22 February 1949 and Captain Bell and 11 other men died. The ship was owned by Quarries Pty Ltd. and carrying stone from the Kiama quarries to Sydney.)[6]

Geography

Bombo's main waterway is Spring Creek.

Boneyard Falls, an oceanic wave action waterfall, are located on the Bombo Headland.

Heritage listings

Bombo has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bombo Postcode, NSW. 5 December 2016.
  2. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-11-28/premier-opens-north-kiama-bypass/750162 Premier opens North Kiama bypass
  3. 30-year life extension Freight Rail & Countrylink Xpress issue 3 March 1990 page 4
  4. https://www.boral.com.au/locations/boral-bombo-quarry Boral Bombo Quarry
  5. News: The Bombo Quarry Disaster . . XXXIII . 96 . New South Wales, Australia . 10 May 1888 . 6 June 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  6. News: Coastal Ship Lost in Big Seas . . 65 . 19,5[?]5 . Western Australia . 24 February 1949 . 6 June 2021 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  7. 01092. 18 May 2018.
  8. 00177. S90/07292 & HC 30270. 18 May 2018.